KIA SP4-M rated transmission fluids?

[HangmanLI]

There should be a magnet in / on the drain pan if it's removable. If so I recommend adding some extra while you're in there.

The magnets will pull magnetic material out of the fluid that will easily pass through the filters. Magnets are working 24hrs a day, every day, and slowly loose effectiveness as they load up this is why you should do a regular pan drop early on. Once the transmission is broken in and the system is clean (no more build up on the magnets) you can follow the mfg service recommendation.

I do a drain / fill once every year or two once the system is clean.

Well, let me know if you can find a video how to drop this Transmission pan? Because apparently the filter inside is not easily accessible. No I haven’t taken a peek yet. Right now I have my ram 1500 in the driveway. Waiting on a new PPE rear differential cover. Once I get that done, I’ll get the Kia up on the ramps and get the car level. Then I’ll remove the belly pan, air filter, housing, and base.

 

[dubber09]

Valvoline MaxLife Multi Vehicle ATF should work very well in your Kia. ATF filter access basically requires transmission be split so consider it a non-serviceable item.

 

[martinq]

Looks like the pan is on the FRONT of the transmission. Neat. From the videos it looks like the filter is not really replaceable so I wouldn't worry about it. I would remove the pan if you can and try to get a peek in there.
https://www.kifomanual.com/components_location-709.html

This valve body removal procedure shows good detail on removing the pan:
https://www.kifomanual.com/valve_body_removal-725.html

 

[Hootbro]

I have the same transmission on my 2013 Hyundai Elantra and recently did two drain and fills with MaxLife ATF.

You really do not want to mess with opening up the pan (actually a side cover) unless you have a leak. Just have a spare level cover and gasket for it. When I did my first drain and fill, I reused the level cover plug and gasket that started leaking very slowly. When I did the second drain and fill, replaced with a new cover plug and gasket. Can find them on Amazon for around $10.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD9X7QFL

 

[perkz]

Fellas,

I’ve been watching some videos about my wife’s 2018 Kia Forte S. Particularly draining and changing the transmission fluid. It has an internal filter, which is not accessible. It is a six speed automatic transmission.


I found some threads here, but they’re at least five years old. It calls for SP4-M rated transmission fluid. I plan on doing the first drain and fill followed by a couple of more. To get as much of the old fluid out. The car has 65,000 miles on it..

I’m looking for recommendations in a really good SP4-M rated transmission fluid for this 2018 KIA Forte.

Thanks!

Personally, I just buy the Kia brand fluid. I have compared the Maxlife and others, and there are differences in 100C viscosity and some other specs, minor differences but still. Maybe cost $40 more for the Kia fluid over 60,000 miles, but that isn't a big deal to have a fluid that matches the design fluid exactly of the vehicle. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10226555-0001.pdf