Wierd tranny fluid & power steering fluid.

[Huney1]

Hyundai owns KIA and I never saw such wierd specs for tranny fluid and power steering fluid. I'd like to use synthetic but don't know if the fluids have to be purchased at the dealership or if synthetics are available. Brake Fluid is regular DOT 3 or 4. I live in the deep South so 5W-20 synthetic oil will do fine here. Any help or advicde greatly appreciated. 07 Spectra EX

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by Huney1

Hyundai owns KIA and I never saw such wierd specs for tranny fluid and power steering fluid. I'd like to use synthetic but don't know if the fluids have to be purchased at the dealership or if synthetics are available. Brake Fluid is regular DOT 3 or 4. I live in the deep South so 5W-20 synthetic oil will do fine here. Any help or advicde greatly appreciated. 07 Spectra EX

Transmission fluid is SPIII, do not go aftermarket on this. The aftermarket fluids that say they work, do not. You will be replacing the transmission if you use anything else. As far as the power steering fluid, some of the Hyundais take PSF3, and some PSF4. The PSF3 you can get at parts stores. I haven't seen any PSF4 though. I do have some from Hyundai, but it's $10.35 for a bottle. What your Spectra takes, I do not know. The '06 Sonata takes the PSF4, and if you use the PSF3 in it, you will have a lot of pump whine.

[Huney1]

Good deal and thanks for the info and heads up. I'm from the old school and I like to use what it wants and rather than get in a tight I'd rather buy a bottle and keep in the trunk and if I ever need it I'll have the right stuff. I'll check with KIA and find out exactly what their requirements are and let you know. Have a nice evening.

[Huney1]

Hee 'tis straight out of the manual:
Engine Oil: API SJ, SL or above, ILSAC GF-3 or above. For best fuel economy recommend use the engine oil of viscosity grade SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30.
If those grades not available use 10W-30.
ATF: Diamond ATF SP-III, SK ATF SP-III.
Power Steering Fluid: PSF-111
Coolant: Ethylene glycol base coolant for aluminum radiator.
Brake/Clutch Fluid: FMVSS116 DOT-3 or DOT-4.

I guess the anti-freeze is regular Prestone green stuff good enough for me. Our Scion xB has pink anti freeze in it and hope it isn't that yucky GM Dex Cool.

[Jalmir]

yup, Ethylene glycol base collant are the regular green Prestone or other brand stuff.

[sgth50]

Originally Posted by lowsonoma1999

Transmission fluid is SPIII, do not go aftermarket on this. The aftermarket fluids that say they work, do not. You will be replacing the transmission if you use anything else. As far as the power steering fluid, some of the Hyundais take PSF3, and some PSF4. The PSF3 you can get at parts stores. I haven't seen any PSF4 though. I do have some from Hyundai, but it's $10.35 for a bottle. What your Spectra takes, I do not know. The '06 Sonata takes the PSF4, and if you use the PSF3 in it, you will have a lot of pump whine.

I have an 03 Elantra with 150,000 miles. Changed fluid every 50,000 with Castrol Multi-vehicle tranny fluid. It says it is good for SPIII. Never had any problems with this transmission. Will continue to use in future. Never a big fan of must use Hyundai fluid. Have a Honda and they say the same thing. Must use Honda fluids. All they want is big money.

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by sgth50

I have an 03 Elantra with 150,000 miles. Changed fluid every 50,000 with Castrol Multi-vehicle tranny fluid. It says it is good for SPIII. Never had any problems with this transmission. Will continue to use in future. Never a big fan of must use Hyundai fluid. Have a Honda and they say the same thing. Must use Honda fluids. All they want is big money.

You got lucky then. We have replaced several transmissions due to people putting in the aftermarket fluids that are supposed to work. Pep Boys, Jiffy Lube, Firestone, etc have all paid for them before as well after servicing with the wrong fluid.

[jsinton]

Originally Posted by lowsonoma1999

You got lucky then. We have replaced several transmissions due to people putting in the aftermarket fluids that are supposed to work. Pep Boys, Jiffy Lube, Firestone, etc have all paid for them before as well after servicing with the wrong fluid.

Yeah, not to mention the warranty is voided if your trans blows up with aftermarket fluid in it.