Question for Johnny reguarding Multicar ATF

[Nailz]

Hi Johnny if your are out there. I am looking at purchasing some multivehicle ATF for use in my 2001 Hyundai Elantra that calls for Diamond SP-III fluid. I have noticed that the QuakerState and Pennzoil Multivehicle ATF's have the exact same specs. Are they the same product? The reason I am asking is that I have heard nothing but good comments about the Pennzoil ATF, but I can only find the QuakerState in my area.

Thanks
Nailz

 

[Ray H]

Nailz, your question is germane to my situation, too. I got on Pennzoil's and QuakerState's websites, too, last night. They list their Multi-vehicle ATF as suitable for Hyundai transmissions from '89-'95. Is the QuakerState "ATF +3" for Chrysler products a compatible substitute for Diamond SP-III? If not, I'm wondering if ANY of the easily available ATF formulations has a Diamond SP-III or Genuine Hyundai ATF compatible fluid, or whether I'll have to buy one of the "real McCoys" at a dealer when it's replacement time on my 2003 Sonata. I had excellent results freeing some sticky valves and taming hard shifts with Dexron-III and a bottle of Lubegard HFM ATF Suplement (black bottle) in a 96 Honda Accord AT. But that Accord was out of warranty. I'd use the same combo on my Sonata, but maintaining Hyundai's 10 yr./100,000 mi. warranty with evidence of using acceptable fluids raises the bar.

 

[Nailz]

Ray I do not believe the ATF +3 is a reccommended substitute especially from hyundai's standpoint. Have you inquired about the price of the Diamond Sp-III fluid from your dealer? Mine wants $6 a quart for it : ( I am thinking of just going with pennzoil dexron III and using the lubegard substitute which claims it will convert to diamond sp-III

 

[Ray H]

quote:

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Originally posted by Nailz:
Ray I do not believe the ATF +3 is a reccommended substitute especially from hyundai's standpoint. Have you inquired about the price of the Diamond Sp-III fluid from your dealer? Mine wants $6 a quart for it : ( I am thinking of just going with pennzoil dexron III and using the lubegard substitute which claims it will convert to diamond sp-III

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Yeah, I was afraid of that. (6.00/qt.? Groan...) Like I posted, I'm a zealot for Dexron-III and Lubegard HFM, too*. I'm just not sure Hyundai is. If by some chance my Hyundai transmission flies south for ANY reason prior to 10 years or 100,000 miles, I sure don't want Hyundai's district suits declining a warranty claim with an allegation that I screwed things up by using an unrecommended ATF and a "snake oil" supplement. It would be AWFULLY hard to argue that one sucessfully before an arbitrator or judge.

*When I changed the ATF out on my '96 Accord, I used SuperTech Dexron-III as a flush - refilled, drove several miles and repeated the drill 8 times to get as much of the factory-fill fluid out as I could. On the final fill I dumped the required amount of Lubegard in after drain and refilled with Dexron-III. Within a couple of miles I noticed much smoother upshifts, and much less jerk on the downshifts after accelerating from completed turns. Things continued improving for about 1,000 miles. The shifts were never sloppy - just a quick, smooth nudge at the moment of transition. Friends who'd had experience with Honda ATs marveled at how smooth mine was. Ironically, the gas mileage did not decline. Up until I was head-on'd by a drunk making an illegal left turn, I was still getting 27+ mpg around town and 34+ mpg on the highway (2.3 liter 130 hp. I-4). So, I don't think the smoothness wasn't coming at the expense of excessive slippage. I still miss that car.

-Ray Haeffele

 

[Johnny]

Both the Pennzoil and Quaker State Multi Vehicle ATF meets the Diamond SP-III spec for your Hyundai. It also meets the older SP-II spec.

 

[dragboat]

Ray you raise a exellent point with warranty issues. The owners manuals on these vehicles specificaly states " use only SP III type fluids" and one must keep record of receipts if doing his own maintanance and 10 years is a long while.

Mitsubishi Dealers have this Diamond Class SP III fluid and I know for a fact it can be bought at 3.90 a quart because I changed our 02 commuters fluid at 7k miles and refill was 4.2 quarts out of 6.0 total capacity.

I am not saying a multi vehicle formula is not the way to go it was just for me an additional 8-10 bucks every 2 years or so is piece of mind for me while under warranty. When it comes to warranty issues and Dealers,I don't play well with others. This will probably keep my blood pressure down in the event the Autotransaxle ever goes South.

On the other hand,if you can get a confirmation e-mail about a multi vehicle fluid confirming it will NOT void your warranty by using it might save enough money to buy a tank of gas every time it needs serviced per the owners manual.