Amsoil Auto Trans Fluid?

[nodule]

Im on Amsoil's website and I see they claim their Amsoil Automatic Transmission
Fluid meets and exceeds SP-11 and SP-III.
Can this ATF be used safely in our Elantras without effecting the warranty??

[zx2uner]

No....Hyundai or Diamond SpIII only.

Why risk it when you know that they built these transmissions specificly for those fluids, and Amsoil ATF isn't going to make the trans. shift any better than the fluid it was designed for.

[nodule]

zx2runer,

I see, how about Vavoline's ATF? My very honest, reputable independent
shop just told me the Vavoline ATF they use is completely compatible with
Hyundai's SP-III fluid and it ABSOLUTELY will NOT void or effect the warranty
This shop has used this fluid on "literally thousands" of Elantras over the last
5-7 years and have NEVER had a customer return vehicle for any transmission
problems regarding fliud.

[hyunelan2]

Do a search... there's a very lengthy discussion about using non-hyundai transmission fluids from a little while back.

Why not just buy the Hyundai fluid and not have to worry about it?

[jalmir]

^^^
What he said

I wouldn't take ANY chaces ... why not going to a dealer to make it done or to buy the oil there?

I'm doing my auto trans fluid changes by the dealer, if I have any problems I know they know my car very well and they won't put "compatible" oil ... Use the oil it was designed for, nothing else!

Having a dead tranny in your hand because you wanted to save a few bucks is not what you want! ;) plus here, the dealer I'm going to is in fact cheaper then the local shops! (only 5$ but hey ... it's still cheaper! :tongue: )

[hyunelan2]

At the very least, just go buy the fluid from the dealer, and have your trusted mechanic do the fluid change for you.

[zx2uner]

Ok. I understand what your saying, but why not ask the dealership. They will tell you that it will void the warranty. Here's a personal story. When I bought my elantra, it was wrecked in the front. I had to replace the radiator and a whole bunch of other parts. As you know, the transmission cooler lines run into the bottom of the radiator, and these lines were capped off, but I didn't want to risk any contaminents that could have gotten into the trans atf. So I replaced the fluid, but before I did, I called down to my local shop and they said regular Halvoline will work. So I odered some. Later that day, our parts guy came up to me and asked if I ordered that Halvoline for my car and I said yes. He told me that he wouldn't put anything in any import without checking with the dealership first. So I called the dealership, and they told me that only Hyundai/Diamond is to be used, no other brand. So I ordered that instead.

So again, will that other **** work?
Probably.
If your trans. goes out will they be able to tell that the atf isn't hyundai?
Yes.
Will they replace the trans? nope.
Is it then worth trying other brands when Hyundai/diamond is what's designed for the trans?
No.
What's the point then of using other brands?
I dunno...I just follow what Hyundai says.

[txdproject]

dont do it...use the hyundia stuff. Like everyone else said " why bother saving few bucks for a dead trans

[nodule]

Yeah, I think you guys may be right, its a shame I cant use my own shop, but
I guess why take a chance.
You would think there has got to be some company who makes ATF that is
completely compatible with SP-III, no??

[jalmir]

They do say so but they are not ... in the end your trans WILL die, maybe not right away but after time it will ... then you'll blame Hyundai about their weak tranny :tongue:

But as hyunelan2 and I said, you can also buy just the oil from the dealer ...

[cclngthr]

There is NO. (I repeat NO) fluid out there that is compatable with SP-III fluid. I have changed a lot of automatic transmissions in the last year that prove anything else destroys the Hyundai tranny..

So far, these fluids were in the automatic when they failed (Dealer and myself)
Dexron/Mercon
Type F
ATF+3
Amsoil ATF
Royal Purple ATF
Valvoline, Havoline, Shell, all other types of fluid that is not SP-III fluid

Use the SP-III fluid only. I keep saying it, but it falls on deaf ears.

[BobMs_wht2k2]

Nope. There's not. This has been hashed, rehashed and then burned into the ground.

Lots of hyundai/mopar dealers had tremendous amounts of trans issues while using ATF+3 in hyundais, prompting a bulletin from Hyundai and about 15 denied warranty claims almost forcing the dealership out of business.

So moral: Buy your fluids from Hyundai and quit trying to cheap out. Yes it sucks, but it's life. No need to question every detail and then complain about how unfair it is.

There is NO. (I repeat NO) fluid out there that is compatable with SP-III fluid. I have changed a lot of automatic transmissions in the last year that prove anything else destroys the Hyundai tranny..

Use the SP-III fluid only. I keep saying it, but it falls on deaf ears.

Save your breath Colin, he'll just argue with you about how you can't possibly be right and exactly what testing procedures you went through and how those can't be right.

[jalmir]

^^^

oh yeah ... forgot it was him that started all that **** a few weeks ago ...

maybe he'll have to wait until God himself tell him it's not compatible ???

[cclngthr]

Nope. There's not. This has been hashed, rehashed and then burned into the ground.

Lots of hyundai/mopar dealers had tremendous amounts of trans issues while using ATF+3 in hyundais, prompting a bulletin from Hyundai and about 15 denied warranty claims almost forcing the dealership out of business.

So moral: Buy your fluids from Hyundai and quit trying to cheap out. Yes it sucks, but it's life. No need to question every detail and then complain about how unfair it is.



Save your breath Colin, he'll just argue with you about how you can't possibly be right and exactly what testing procedures you went through and how those can't be right.

What PROOF does he have (from the auto manufacturer) that makes the claim that these fluid work? Using the oil company stats are not going to suffice unless the exact chemical structure is identical to what Hyundai uses. I need that info.

[nodule]

Im convinced guys!
I will go to my dealer to have the trans fluid serviced!

[BobMs_wht2k2]

^^^

oh yeah ... forgot it was him that started all that **** a few weeks ago ...

maybe he'll have to wait until God himself tell him it's not compatible ???

:abovelol: :abovelol: :bowdown: :bowdown: I literally spewed out water whilest reading that!! I needed a good laugh.

Looks like divine intervention FTW!

[jalmir]

:cool: :D :cool:

[iaspurchase]

With that being said that you should ALWAYS use SP-III fluid, should we
assume that alll Hyundai dealers will use this correct fluid...or should
we even question them??

[cclngthr]

With that being said that you should ALWAYS use SP-III fluid, should we
assume that alll Hyundai dealers will use this correct fluid...or should
we even question them??

I have heard of dealers not using SP-III fluid. They substitute ATF+3 for SP-III fluid, saying HMA told them it is OK, but when I asked HMA about that, they told me SP-III fluid is the only fluid that is to be used in the transmission.

Dealers around Ok City, Virginia, Chicago, California, Washington Colorado and several other areas have been known to use other fluids.

Transmission shops and most independent shops are the worst. They don't know the specifics on the transmission and will use about anything in the trans. Most state Dexron and ATF+3 can be used according to oil company data. However, the oil companies do not have the chemical structure of SP-III fluid and make assumptions what SP-III fluid is like.

[blupupher]

Or the other big thing is with some of these quickie lube places, they will say ATF+3 is close, and they have a "Special Additive" that they add to make is the same as SP-III fluid. What a load of crap.

You would think with all the Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi vehicles out, they would have licensed some maker to do an aftermarket fluid by now.

I knwo with Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep it took almost 6 years till aftermarket ATF+4 was available.

[TwiZ]

There is NO. (I repeat NO) fluid out there that is compatable with SP-III fluid. I have changed a lot of automatic transmissions in the last year that prove anything else destroys the Hyundai tranny..

So far, these fluids were in the automatic when they failed (Dealer and myself)
Dexron/Mercon
Type F
ATF+3
Amsoil ATF
Royal Purple ATF
Valvoline, Havoline, Shell, all other types of fluid that is not SP-III fluid

Use the SP-III fluid only. I keep saying it, but it falls on deaf ears.


and uve never seen SP-III in a hyundai tranny that died?
(not saying that the other stuff works....just sayin)

[zx2uner]

^^^

i'm sure he has, but more than likely it wasn't caused by the fluid...some trans. do "die"

[TwiZ]

yes but how does he know that the fluid actually did ruin the tranny then...aiite then ill stop bein dumb

[zx2uner]

I am not saying tha he exactly knows that, but if the transmission dies and it has other atf in it, then the asumption is because of that. Sometimes assumptions are enough to void warranties...plus again.....it's not worth the chance.

[TwiZ]

i completely agree...im a writer at a dealer so i see it all too...i just felt like being difficult lol

[BobMs_wht2k2]

He knows because he's torn them down to inspect them and seen the effects of the fluids.

Why do some people feel they have to question every detail?

[jalmir]

^^^

'cause they think they know better than the experienced peoples ???

[BobMs_wht2k2]

nAH. . . I thionk it's the E-thug mentality. Got to "prove" how cool they are by calling people out on subjects they have no clue about.

Thanks for the internet Mr Gore, you messed up again!

[hyunelan2]

Why do some people feel they have to question every detail?

What you said... and also to gain more knowledge. Sometimes you can tell the difference from when somebody is just being a PITA or trying to know more about the subject, sometimes it's impossible to tell the difference.

[cclngthr]

yes but how does he know that the fluid actually did ruin the tranny then...aiite then ill stop bein dumb

I've tore about 6 apart in the last 6 months. What I saw was parts falling apart when they should not. I also have tested the fluid on good parts and found the exact same result. I do about 1 a month that has different fluid in it. I have yet to find one that mysteriously failed without some help from either an incompetent mechanic or the driver. I tow with mine with zero problems. I also use the correct fluid, have it changed regularly, and have additional stuff on it (an aux cooler and a filter) to keep the trans from blowing.

Since I have taken classes by Hyundai for sevice techs, what I see and what the instructors tell us in class is the same thing. IF there is a TSB on the subject that tells techs to use only SP-III fluid, and mentions that other fluids destroy the transmission and it is reinforced in class, it should be very obvious to everyone that SP-III fluid is the only fluid to be used.

Since I own my own shop, I am able to tear into the trans. A dealer cannot do this. Dealers MUST replace the trans if any internal part is bad. They cannot fix the trans per Hyundai protocol. Hyundai wants full control over the building of the transmission and will not provide rebuild kits, or even offer specifications ON the parts inside the transmission. They won't even offer internal parts that could be replaced by the dealer tech other than the solenoids and sensors. When a new reman is delivered, I also found out that Hyundai not only rebuilds them, but also dynos the transmission to ensure the thing is operational. They want to make sure the transmission is to spec.

I know of NO rebuild kit OR modification kit for the Hyundai automatic. I have heard trans shops can get kits for them, but I have not seen any that work. I would consider a field rebuild a hack job on the Hyundai trans. If Hyundai goes out of the way to dyno the transmission, this says something about what their criteria is.

I also don't feel the need to repeat that I have taken classes from Hyundai or own a shop. It should be obvious to everyone by now and since I talk to some members about cars, that should be enough evidence that I know what I am doing.

[olph4rt]

I was considering Amsoil tranny fluid, because where I work I can get Amsoil for dealer cost. I already use their engine oil. I am thankful for this website and y'all and your opionions help a Hyundai Elantra NOOB out immensely! I understand expert's being frustrated at people trying to be cool by asking dumb questions, but MOST of us are just tying to learn more, but I guess should figure when enough info is enough, and get off our behinds and do something with your info! I also see that no matter if the right stuff is used or not, then if you abuse the thing it will break no matter what. So again, the point is THANKS!

[cclngthr]

I was considering Amsoil tranny fluid, because where I work I can get Amsoil for dealer cost. I already use their engine oil. I am thankful for this website and y'all and your opionions help a Hyundai Elantra NOOB out immensely! I understand expert's being frustrated at people trying to be cool by asking dumb questions, but MOST of us are just tying to learn more, but I guess should figure when enough info is enough, and get off our behinds and do something with your info! I also see that no matter if the right stuff is used or not, then if you abuse the thing it will break no matter what. So again, the point is THANKS!

I replace at least 1 Hyundai automatic transmission a month that has *other* trans fluid in it. What happens is the plastic parts and clutch pack material (which is a rubber/glass combination) melts when *other* fluid is put in the transmission, including Amsoil. 95% of these have already been looked at by a dealer and have been denied warranty.

Equus, a EC member who is an engineer with Hyundai, posted this regarding the Hyundai automatic trans fluid:

equus May 29 2005, 09:14 PM Post #22


I believe its time to put this Trans fluid topic to rest. SPIII is the ONLY approved fluid by Hyundai Motor Corp. All other fluids are NOT approved for service in Hyundais. The TSB number 03-40-019 explains it and also has the right procedure to check the Auto trans fluid. THIS IS A MUST TO KEEP THE WARRANTY intact. I hope this helps the members here to fully understand this and not just look up some fluid being sold under the pretext that is is approved by Hyundai. AS OF DATE NO OTHER BRAND FLUID IS APPROVED AND OR IS COMPATIBLE to replace SPIII.

and:

What is mystifying to me is why is it that some people want to sue Hyundai for their tranny's failing due to lack of "proper maintenance" on the part of the car owner? I do believe that it is in the owners manual on the type of services to be followed and recommended lubricants to be used. I am all in favor of consumers trying to save a few dollars along the way..but, to turn around and state that it is Hyundai's fault that the trans fail due to negligence on the part of the consumer, is what I am not able to compute. Oh well, lone man here trying to change the world.........I might look for some Ministry to join and relinquish these worldly pleasures... (flame suit on)....Sorry elantragt for taking this way OT.....

In the same thread, I posted this:

Fluid costs me about 7 bucks a quart, and it takes 5 quarts on average (35 bucks) and once I figured out an easy way to remove the pan, that is about a 2 hour job, which runs about 80 bucks for the fluid and labor charge. For the 2 Hyundai's I had in the shop with toasted transmissions, I charged about $3,200 for the replacement tranny and labor.

As for warranty issues, dealers are instructed by HMC to deny warranty claims that are not within the standards set by HMC. HMC wants owners to use SP-III, and have their cars regularly serviced preferrably by a dealer, but documentation of such services are required, and what parts are installed for such services in case the service was done elsewhere.

The external filters are 17 bucks, but you do have to remove those prior to flushing the system and put a new filter (at any case) if that is the preferred service procedure.

[TwiZ]

3200 for a trans on a hyundai...whats the labor rate??? 200/hr lol

[cclngthr]

3200 for a trans on a hyundai...whats the labor rate??? 200/hr lol

I get new trans for $2710. You figure out the labor charge. You know I charge $3200 for the R&R including trans, now figure out the labor. It takes us 4 hours to swap the trans, but there is the cost for the dyno as well. Hyundai dynos the trans off the car, but I also dyno the car after the trans has been put in and driven for 100 miles. I usually will drive the car for a while to make sure it is working, then dyno it to make sure everything is running like it is designed to.

[HYTECH]

Since I own my own shop, I am able to tear into the trans. A dealer cannot do this. Dealers MUST replace the trans if any internal part is bad. They cannot fix the trans per Hyundai protocol. Hyundai wants full control over the building of the transmission and will not provide rebuild kits, or even offer specifications ON the parts inside the transmission. They won't even offer internal parts that could be replaced by the dealer tech other than the solenoids and sensors.

I know of NO rebuild kit OR modification kit for the Hyundai automatic. I have heard trans shops can get kits for them, but I have not seen any that work. I would consider a field rebuild a hack job on the Hyundai trans.



I can and have built hyundai automatic transmissions under warranty. all the parts are available. There is no kit you order the parts as needed. Hyundai even has warranty op codes for auto trans repairs. I have several factory hyundai auto trans overhaul manuals. the one in front of me here at home is (publication # PESE A007A) this one is a 2000 version but the newer ones are at work.

about 6 months ago I put a input shaft in a 03 tiburon 6speed under warranty there is a tsb #02-40-002 that states that this is a replace only trans. but my rep had me build it. it all depends on your skills as to what hyundai will let you repair.

[TwiZ]

wow you guys are insane...i work at a dealer and our labor rate just went up to 95 (was 91)...and to do a trans on an elantra is somewhere between 1700-1900 + tax...

[HYTECH]

wow you guys are insane...i work at a dealer and our labor rate just went up to 95 (was 91)...and to do a trans on an elantra is somewhere between 1700-1900 + tax...

are you talking labor, parts, or both because that don't sound right for any part of it

[cclngthr]

are you talking labor, parts, or both because that don't sound right for any part of it

Parts AND labor, including dyno testing. I get the part for $2710, brand new not remanufacturered. Remans cost about $1580.