KIA SP4-M rated transmission fluids?

[HangmanLI]

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!

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife is a good choice, but any LV full synthetic multi ATF will be fine

 

[daniel327]

Penrite ATF LV

 

[HangmanLI]

Maxlife is a good choice, but any LV full synthetic multi ATF will be fine

I have used the Valvoline MaxLife multi vehicle ATF in my 2015 ram 1500 5.7l. It has worked good in my truck.

Thanks!

 

[HangmanLI]

Penrite ATF LV

This seems to be predominantly available in Australia

 

[walterjay]

I have been using Maxlife in my and family members Kia/Hyundais. Good results.

 

[HangmanLI]

I have been using Maxlife in my and family members Kia/Hyundais. Good results.

Have you been doing just a single fluid drain and fill? Or doing two or three times to exchange most of the fluid? Just curious. Thanks!

 

[Propflux01]

Ravenol is a good choice. The SP4-M is simply a synthetic light viscosity compared to standard SP-4

 

[JustN89]

I ran Amsoil's ATF in my 2017 Elantra in place of SP4-M and it worked great. However, I don't think the Hyundai/Kia 6 speed is particular picky. I think just about most reputable ATFs would do just fine.

 

[walterjay]

Have you been doing just a single fluid drain and fill? Or doing two or three times to exchange most of the fluid? Just curious. Thanks!

Just doing a drain and fill every 30,000 miles or so.

 

[HangmanLI]

Just doing a drain and fill every 30,000 miles or so.

Did you do the first drain and fill at 30,000 miles or later. The car has 65,000 miles and hasn’t been done. I’ll probably measure the exact amount drained out. Then replace with that amount. Then drive it for a day or two. And drain and refill again. I’ve read about potential transmission clutch gear problems if it is done too late.

 

[GSCJR]

Valvoline Extended Protection ATF

 

[walterjay]

Did you do the first drain and fill at 30,000 miles or later. The car has 65,000 miles and hasn’t been done. I’ll probably measure the exact amount drained out. Then replace with that amount. Then drive it for a day or two. And drain and refill again. I’ve read about potential transmission clutch gear problems if it is done too late.

I did them around 30-40K except for my 2017 SantaFe which was first done around 60K. No problems.

 

[berniedd]

I have a few quarts of Mag1 Fully Synthetic MultiVehicle ATF. I emailed Mag1 and they said it was recommended for use in vehicles that call for the Kia SP-IV M specification.

 

[Urshurak776]

I have always used the MaxLife stuff in my Kia's and Hyundais. Just did it in my sons Santa Fe a few months ago. Never had an issue with it.

I typically do a drain/Fill every 30-40K. Seems to work out just fine.

 

[martinq]

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...

First I would seriously recommend dropping the pan to clean it and the magnets. The transmission filter is not as important as a clean pan and magnet(s). Fluid recommendation is easy depending on your location. Most multi-ATF fluids will cover the Kia spec like Valvoline MaxLife / Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF or similar from Castrol, Pennzoil, Mobil, etc.

I would recommend dropping the pan again in a year or your next major service for further cleaning and inspection. After that it should be good to follow the mfg service recommendations.

 

[martinq]

Did you do the first drain and fill at 30,000 miles or later. The car has 65,000 miles and hasn’t been done. I’ll probably measure the exact amount drained out. Then replace with that amount. Then drive it for a day or two. And drain and refill again. I’ve read about potential transmission clutch gear problems if it is done too late.

This actually applies to every transmission (too late). The service life of the transmission is largely dictated by the maintenance it receives. The first year(s) of break-in are the most important.

 

[HangmanLI]

First I would seriously recommend dropping the pan to clean it and the magnets. The transmission filter is not as important as a clean pan and magnet(s). Fluid recommendation is easy depending on your location. Most multi-ATF fluids will cover the Kia spec like Valvoline MaxLife / Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF or similar from Castrol, Pennzoil, Mobil, etc.

I would recommend dropping the pan again in a year or your next major service for further cleaning and inspection. After that it should be good to follow the mfg service recommendations.

The magnet is on the drain plug, isn’t it? That has to be removed, regardless. Apparently the fill plug is under the air box and housing. Looks like a plastic plug.

I’ve watched several videos. I haven’t seen anyone actually drop the transmission pan?

I will look again.

 

[martinq]

The magnet is on the drain plug, isn’t it? That has to be removed, regardless. Apparently the fill plug is under the air box and housing. Looks like a plastic plug.

I’ve watched several videos. I haven’t seen anyone actually drop the transmission pan?

I will look again.

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.

 

[martinq]

It looks like the pan is plastic. Have you taken a peek yet?