trasmission

[allencooley]

Ihave a 2003 kia optima could any one tell me what tranny fluid goes in this car.dealer wants me to bring it to them to change it.that would be fine but they want a 100 bucks to change it. the fluid is sp-3or sk-3 what is equivelant to these. would someone give some info. thanks

[fastkia]

why don't you just buy the fluid from them

[joey8799]

well i would let dealer do it cuz i took mine to jiffy lube and the put the wrong fluid in and ruined our tranny and now were in a battle with jiffy lube to get them to put a new transmission in so i would just take it to dealer

[MeettheCreeper]

Originally Posted by allencooley

Ihave a 2003 kia optima could any one tell me what tranny fluid goes in this car.dealer wants me to bring it to them to change it.that would be fine but they want a 100 bucks to change it. the fluid is sp-3or sk-3 what is equivelant to these. would someone give some info. thanks

SP3 Only. Do not use anything else. Dextron will burn up the trans.

Napa, Carquest and Mitsubishi sell it look for SPIII.

[KMG9185]

Originally Posted by MeettheCreeper

SP3 Only. Do not use anything else. Dextron will burn up the trans.

Napa, Carquest and Mitsubishi sell it look for SPIII.

Yes that is all we use is SP3..... and we wont warrenty it if it has anything else in it....... no matter what.....sry man......kia warrenty are really cutting down on their tranny issues...and that is one of them...


Kevin

[Dekinblue]

I use Kwik Kar (in Texas) exclusively. They pointed out at 40K how bad the tranny fluid looked and smelled. They have a neat machine that puts in new fluid as the old fluid is pulled out and I have to tell you the ride and drive is remarkable. The old fluid was near black as midnite. The fluid they put in was top notch. I have no complaints. The Optima will go 300K. I like Kia

Deke

[Huney1]

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=756624

Be smart and don't go cutting corners trying to save a few bucks on tranny fluid.

If you don't buy it from the KIA parts dept and the tranny is under warranty you're making a bad mistake because a tranny rebiuild normally costs $1,500. I know, the container might say approved for use in KIA automobiles, but try telling that to the KIA service dept. "Oh, I bought it at Whiz-Bang Auto Parts but it says approved for KIA's . . ." Sorry 'bout that Dude, now fork over the $1,500. for the trany rebuild. I understand KIA sends a sample of the tranny fluid to KIA for testing and if it isn't KIA fluid your trany warranty is void. Don't believe me, go ask your KIA dealer.

$100. is the standard price for a tranny "flush" with most vehicles and if that's what KIA charges let them do it then if you have a problem with the tranny they have to fix it. If you're bound and determined to do it yourself then buy the tranny fluid from KIA and KEEP THE RECEIPT!

[Huney1]

"They pointed out at 40K how bad the tranny fluid looked and smelled." It should be changd at 30K miles and I hope the fluid they used doesn't void your warranty. This is my first KIA Optima and they have a pretty stringent maintenance schedule that will cost a few bucks but if you expect them to honor the warranty you have to maintain it by their rules.