Automatic Transmission Fluid

[Nautilus]

What ATF do you use?

I noticed on the Elantra Car Manual, it states only SP III type ATF.

I was looking through my Service receipts and noticed at 40,000km the ATF was changed and the one that was used is CASTROL TQ-D. http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=82914653&contentId=6005713

Why did the Service center use another type of ATF? I have not gone back to the Service center to ask, but what do you guys think?

Is it ok to use another type of ATF? or did the Service center make a mistake?

Cheers.

[ricerrx7]

Where did you have it done? Dealership or other? You can ONLY use the Hyundai fluid or it will fry your trans.

[Nautilus]

ricerrx7, it was done at the Dealership. I have always serviced my car there since the 1st 1000km back in 2002 till today.

I was just flipping through the service book and noticed 80,000km is coming soon, so another service on the gearbox.

If anything wrong happens to the gearbox, can i blame the Dealership?

I have asked about and some other Elantra owners said they have been given other kinds of ATF, also by the Dealership.

Also, i have not seen any Hyundai Brand stuff at the Dealership service center.

I only see Castrol.

I am using Castrol Fully Sync for the engine oil.

[Codenomics]

I do understand that in a performance perspective that different brands make a difference, but I dont think that a non hyundai brand is going to hurt your trans. as long as it is the correct type. Especially considering that hyundai doesnt make oil, or any kinds of fluid, they buy it from a manufacturer. Car companies say use only their brand and only have your work done at their dealerships, this keeps them in the money.
But, then again, I could be wrong! ( I doubt it though)

[jalmir]

^^

sorry but you're wrong ...

SP-II and SP-III fluids are only available through dealership, any other auto trans oil that says to be compatible are not SP fluids and thus, not compatible to ours trans. There is even TSB about using SP fluids only.

All non SP ATF oil WILL damage the transmission eventually, maybe not right away (you may even never notice) but the tranny WILL be damaged and will die prematurely.

I heard stories of dead tranny not being covered under warranty because it wasn't SP fluid that was used AND the oil company is NOT covering damages due to the use of their "compatible" oil, so beware!

[Codenomics]

who makes the hyundai fluid?

you see what im getting at? If i can buy the non hyundai name brand by the company that makes it then it will prolly be cheaper than buying at dealership

[cclngthr]

who makes the hyundai fluid?

you see what im getting at? If i can buy the non hyundai name brand by the company that makes it then it will prolly be cheaper than buying at dealership

NO ONE ELSE makes SP-III fluid. It is ONLY available at the dealer.

Since it is synthetic based, the cost is high.

[Slapshotman7]

Well, if you have the receipts from Hyundai saying what they put in then you should be set because if your tranny goes out you can be like, well you guys ****ed up.

[Codenomics]

no one sells it but the dealer? ouch that sux!

[Nautilus]

Erm, since it's only sold by the Dealership, i assume they should be putting SP III into my gearbox, but how come Castrol? This Castrol from the Website is Dexron right?

I will go to the Dealership next week to check.

I have the printed receipt with me, full details, date, time...etc.

Castrol TQ-D is formulated from high quality low viscosity mineral base oils and incorporates a balanced chemical additive system to give superior oxidation stability and friction retention properties.
Benefits
Excellent wear protection
Excellent friction retention
Excellent viscosity stability
Excellent transmission cleanliness
Excellent seal compatibility
Applications
Castrol TQ-D is recommended for use in automatic transmissions of vehicles where an oil of General Motors Dexron ® IID performance is specified. Castrol TQ-D can also be used for power steering and many other applications where an oil of General Motors Dexron ® IID performance is specified.
Performance Levels
General Motor Dexron ® IID

[jalmir]

Before you go to the dealer, go to :

http://www.hmaservice.com/

log in (or register if you didn't already) or if you don't wanna register you can use the RDTiburon login : http://www.rdtiburon.com/index.php?showtopic=11794

When loged in, click the link on the top left corner named "Service Information"

Fill your vehicule information in the drop down menu

Then click on the search link on the complete right of the car info;

In the left site you now have a search section, check the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) box and put "automatic fluid" (without the " " )in the search box

Click on the first link (should be "Automatic Transaxle Fluid Level") and read it, somewhere in the middle of the page you will have this :

USE OF NON-APPROVED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS:

Only Hyundai SPIII is approved for use in Hyundai vehicles beginning with the 1996 model year. Use of aftermarket additives or other types of ATF, such as Chrysler/Mopar ATF+3, Dexron and Mercon, are not approved for use in Hyundai vehicles and may affect driveability or damage the transaxle. Damage caused by a non-specified fluid is not covered by your new vehicle limited warranty.

You have a printer friendly link, so you can print it and show that to your dealer...

[zx2uner]

jalmir you killed this post ;)

There should be no more questions. :)

[cclngthr]

jalmir you killed this post ;)

There should be no more questions. :)

My thoughts exactly.

This should be stickied as well.

[mnstrmech]

mitsubishi's also use spIII, their diamond atf is also a spIII fluid, so it is aslo compatible. i know its not easily available, but if you had a mitsubishi dealer close by.

[Doohickie]

True. SP-III is used by Hyundai (including Kia), and Mitsubishi