SP-III replacement for out of warranty Kia

Brons2 · Feb 18, 2015

I am at 97,xxx on my Kia and of course the powertrain warranty ends at 100K. I have been doing drain and fills every 15K since new with Kia branded SP-III fluid and the fluid comes out the bottom looking the exact same as it does coming out of the bottle. So that part is good.

I have read various places that SP-III is not really that great of a fluid, and that there are better options out there for both shifting and longevity. So, is it advisable to switch, or to stay the course with SP-III. And if I do switch, should I do a complete fluid exchange or just keep draining and filling?

Revving2Redline · Feb 18, 2015

I just had my tranny flushed again on my hyundai accent 2012 with sp III and have had no issues. I flush every 50k max. I currently have 102,000 miles. Also had plugs, coolant, and brake fluid changed yesterday. I have considered amsoil oe fluid which works to spec or valvoline maxlife atf. I use pennzoil ultra 5w30 in oil too.

The Critic · Feb 18, 2015

If you really want to switch, I would do a full fluid exchange using Amsoil Signature Series ATF and do full flushes every 60k.

Personally I see no reason to switch away from SP-III.

Voltmaster · Feb 18, 2015

Use Mag1 they have SPIII on the bottle.

I used amsoil signature last and I can tell you my accord is a bit happier with the lower vis Mag1.

Maxlife is always good choice also.

Jimzz · Feb 18, 2015

Valvoline Maxlife meets the SPIII spec

mrdctaylor · Feb 18, 2015

I have a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. I've done drain/fills every 30K miles using Genuine Hyundai SPIII and have almost 200K miles on the vehicle now. The transmission shifts great. I would tell you to stick with SPIII. I've looked into switching to something else a couple of times to save a few dollars, but always decided that factory fluid would be the safest choice. My ATF has never seemed burnt or discolored at 30K miles. It may not be the most robust ATF on the market, but at 30K drain/fill intervals it is more than good enough, and I *know* my transmissions was designed to work with it.

jimboeau · Feb 18, 2015

I use MaxLife on my out of warranty 2005 Santa Fe. Shifts better in very cold weather on start-up. It is 30 below zero windchill this morning and shifts better then when I used SPIII several years ago in similar weather.

Greasymechtech · Feb 18, 2015

ATF+4 is an option along with any multivehicle or universal ATF that mentions the SP spec on the bottle or datasheet.

Besides Kia/Hyundai/Mitsubishi dealerships, Napa can order Eneos Type-SP.

Since your fluid looks great draining out, I'll assume that the vehicle isn't abused. Probably don't need the expense of a full synthetic, so many multivehicle ATF synthblends are available too.

Saul · Feb 19, 2015

As said above,
The best choice is Eneos Type-SP from napa for around 4.75 a quart. Otherwise a good ATF+4

You can buy the mitsu fluid for 8/qt shipped here.
http://www.streettunedmotorsports.com/parts/atf_mitsubishi.htm

SP-III is a very specific fluid I would never use any universal atf. The oem mitsu sp-iii is like nothing else. On DSM forums, oem fluid is the only viable option to most.

bigdawg74 · Feb 19, 2015

I put Eneos in my Accent and it runs just fine. I would recommend it without hesitation.

01rangerxl · Feb 20, 2015

Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle ATF.

MobilinHyundia · Feb 20, 2015

I own two 2009 Hyundai Sonatas with one using Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle ATF and the other Sonata using Amsoil ATF.

After driving in our cold winters now, I prefer the Amsoil ATF. Amsoil tested the oil up to 180 000 miles and its still in an excellant condition.

Brons2 · Feb 20, 2015

Originally Posted By: jimboeau
I use MaxLife on my out of warranty 2005 Santa Fe. Shifts better in very cold weather on start-up. It is 30 below zero windchill this morning and shifts better then when I used SPIII several years ago in similar weather.

Mine has always shifted sloppy when cold, even in the summertime. Since it rolled off the dealer lot, I bought it new. Even with 15K drain and fills. Ergo the inquiry.

Maybe I'll try the Eneos SP if it's full syn, price seems right at NAPA. I'm not opposed to the MaxLife though. MaxLife is probably the most common universal replacement, it seems, on various web forums.

The Kia SPIII is about $6.50 a quart at the dealer. But none of the dealers are convenient to get to from my part of town, which is another reason for not running their fluid. They're all in the suburbs and I live fairly central.

Oh well I have until 105K to make up my mind, which is the next 15K interval. Right now, I need to tackle a fluid exchange on the wifey's Rav4, which has 70K and has never had ATF changed, Toyota doesn't call for changes. But I've decided I am not OK with that...

Brons2 · Feb 20, 2015

Wow Maxlife is quite a bit thinner than Eneos, seems Maxlife is more like a Dex6 fluid, 6cSt type fluid.

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf

http://www.eneos.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ENEOS-Type-SP-Product-Data-Sheet-2014.pdf

That being said, the MSDS of the Eneos oil states it to be more than 80% mineral oil. Is it really any better than the OEM fluid?

The Valvoline Multi-Vehicle ATF appears to be closer to 7cSt

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/multi_vehicle_atf.pdf

Meanwhile Castrol Multi-Vehicle ATF is 8(!) cSt
http://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/064FD5179C8D0FFD80257AA90053687A/$File/Castrol%20Transmax%20Import%20MV%20_03521_.pdf

Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF seems to be the closest viscosity to the Eneos SP
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAXXENPVLMOMobil_Multi-vehicle_ATF.aspx

Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle
http://www.pennzoil.com/wp-content/uploa..._1_11_FINAL.pdf

could not find PDS for QS multi-vehicle, but anyway.

tnt31 · Feb 20, 2015

Both have been mentioned but I have used Valvoline Import Multi ATF and the Eneos SP. Both seemed to work well.

asand1 · Feb 20, 2015

I put Castrol Transmax Import Multi Vehicle in a 2010ish Kia for a gal. Worked great. I would have used Maxlife, but could not get the quantity I needed at the time.

CharBaby · Feb 21, 2015

Originally Posted By: Greasymechtech
ATF+4 is an option along with any multivehicle or universal ATF that mentions the SP spec on the bottle or datasheet.

Besides Kia/Hyundai/Mitsubishi dealerships, Napa can order Eneos Type-SP.

Since your fluid looks great draining out, I'll assume that the vehicle isn't abused. Probably don't need the expense of a full synthetic, so many multivehicle ATF synthblends are available too.
Originally Posted By: Saul
As said above,
The best choice is Eneos Type-SP from napa for around 4.75 a quart. Otherwise a good ATF+4

You can buy the mitsu fluid for 8/qt shipped here.
http://www.streettunedmotorsports.com/parts/atf_mitsubishi.htm

SP-III is a very specific fluid I would never use any universal atf. The oem mitsu sp-iii is like nothing else. On DSM forums, oem fluid is the only viable option to most.

ATF+4 is what I was thinking also^^^

PostalBound · Feb 21, 2015

Wife drives a 2007 Sonata V6 Limited and I've done drain and refill every 50K with Walmart Multi-Vechicle transmission fluid that meets SP-III requirements. No issues whatsoever. Going on 250K miles now.

GenaFishbeck · Mar 2, 2015

Originally Posted By: Brons2
I am at 97,xxx on my Kia and of course the powertrain warranty ends at 100K. I have been doing drain and fills every 15K since new with Kia branded SP-III fluid and the fluid comes out the bottom looking the exact same as it does coming out of the bottle. So that part is good.

I have read various places that SP-III is not really that great of a fluid, and that there are better options out there for both shifting and longevity. So, is it advisable to switch, or to stay the course with SP-III. And if I do switch, should I do a complete fluid exchange or just keep draining and filling?

Good news, Brons2: There should be no problems switching from the Kia branded SP-III fluid to our Pennzoil Platinum LV Multi-Vehicle ATF. In fact, our Pennzoil Platinum LV Multi-Vehicle ATF meets the requirements of Kia’s SP-III Automatic Transmission Fluid. This Pennzoil product is a premium performance synthetic ATF product that provides consistent, reliable, smooth, and trouble free operation of automotive transmission systems. - The Pennzoil Team

oggb · Mar 4, 2015

Maxlife has been working great in my wife's 2005 Hyundai XG350 which calls for the same fluid.

SP-III replacement for out of warranty Kia

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