Hyundai SP-IV ATF

[mclasser]

We drove the Elantra to NYC for a wedding and on the way home, got stuck in a long traffic jam. We had already been driving 2 hrs and sat in the jam for another hour or so. I noticed the transmission have firmer, jerkier shifts when crawling through traffic. I'm sure my wife or kids would never even notice the difference but I did. The transmission overall is very smooth but this scenario got me thinking about ATF and fluid temps.

I don't know anything about the spec'd SP-IV ATF in this car, other than I'm pretty sure it's conventional. This car also has a transmission cooler but maybe it isn't that effective, especially when coupled with the dino ATF in stop-and-go traffic. It was 90+ out, A/C cranking, barely any air flow when we were inching our way through traffic.

I'm just postulating that Hyundai ATF doesn't like being stressed much. Perhaps a synthetic ATF would've maintained better shift quality in similar conditions. In comparison, my Hondas always maintain shift quality with the spec'd Honda ATF -- cold, hot, traffic, etc.

What do you guys think?

 

[StevieC]

SP-3 was semi-synthetic because that is what my Hyundai Santa Fe used and I remember looking it up. It would darken over 30K miles which is part of the reason I switched it to Amsoil fully synthetic also because it was a transmission without a serviceable filter.

I would imagine with running higher fluid temperatures for fuel economy which every OE seems to be doing they are switching to fully synthetic to handle the heat. I'm guess here but I would imagine that SP-4 is just SP-III but now fully synthetic.

Mitsubishi also uses the same spec in their geared transmissions.

 

[The Critic]

Yours should be using SP-4M, not SP-4.

SP-4M is reported to be “synthetic,” if anyone cares.

 

[thrace]

The behavior of this particular Elantra is not adequately documented and cause and effect is just conjecture. No measured temperatures. No control group. Honda DW-1 in the U.S.A. does not say synthetic on the bottle. So I would conclude DW-1 is not synthetic.

This incident with Elantra does not prove that DW-1 or Honda is superior. DW-1 overheats and causes judder in torque converters in 2012-15 Odyssey. DW-1 was not up to the task as originally configured in these models as shown in a service bulletin.

https://honda.oemdtc.com/TSB/A16-060.pdf

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted by The Critic
Yours should be using SP-4M, not SP-4.

SP-4M is reported to be �synthetic,� if anyone cares.


I care.

I was planning on having mine changed at 60k as owner's manual recommends. Fortunately, my transmission is smooth as butter with my driving routine.

 

[doitmyself]

If it makes you feel any better mclasser, Hyundai switched over to SP4-M around 2013 (as noted by THE Critic). Those driving conditions you describe seem pretty brutal for fluid temperature levels.

http://www.hyundaiflashdrive.com/ho...-iv-discontinued-introducing-new-at.html
http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1068477/22956303/1371787260727/SP4-M+Promo-Sell+Sheet-FINAL.pdf?token=XOVlBPw74bV0MWoKynr%2F8M%2B6j4I%3D

"Hyundai's Automatic Transmission Fluid SP4-M is formulated with high performance synthetic base oils and advanced additive technology specifi cally designed to optimize the performance of the newer Hyundai 6-speed transmissions where
the shop manual and owner's manual call for this fluid. SP4-M features ultra low viscosity and improved friction modifi ers which provide superior shift quality. "

When I scoped out 6 local KIA,Hyundai, and Jeep dealers last year about a fluid change, 5 of them used BG products and one use Valvolene MaxLife, even under warranty. Go Figure?

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted by doitmyself

When I scoped out 6 local KIA,Hyundai, and Jeep dealers last year about a fluid change, 5 of them used BG products and one use Valvolene MaxLife, even under warranty. Go Figure?

That could help with dealership profits. The OEM fluid is expensive. It may be a testament to the durability of the transmission. Never heard of one failing. Just bad wiring harness needing replacement with the last generation Elantra.