transmission fluid?

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89GMC - 04 Jun 2006 19:25 GMT

Ok, in my owners manual it says only to use diamond SPIII transmission
fluid. I called my kia dealer to inquire about buying some the guy put
me on hold... comes back on and says the techs say to use chrysler
atf+4.... and btw this is a kia/dodge dealership. Now this makes me
nervous b/c they topped off my tranny before. So I'm sure that's what
they put in.

I called the 1-800 kia number and they said they'll get back to
me(still haven't heard). So does anyone else know if this is ok to put
in the tranny? I've read some of the posts on this, but curious if
anyone has "official" word from a dealership on that.

The reason I need it is that my tranny has had problems since about
3K(at 8k right now). When going up a hill once it downshifts it will
not upshift. Even after you are back on flat ground or even going down
the other side of the hill it will stay up around 3-4K on the tach and
just will not shift until you take your foot off the gas, really
annoying. I've checked the level of the tranny fluid like a bazillion
times so at this point I figure I may as well just drain and refill it,
worth a shot. When I had it in last time they said fluid was low even
though i had just checked it and they topped it off. Really didn't
seem to fix the problem, just another crappy dealer fix.

Anyone else have a similar shifting prob either?

Thanks,
Ed

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mark - 04 Jun 2006 20:42 GMT

Isn't it still under warranty?

-Cheers

> Ok, in my owners manual it says only to use diamond SPIII transmission
> fluid. I called my kia dealer to inquire about buying some the guy put
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Thanks,
> Ed

Reply to this Message

Rev. Tom Wenndt - 04 Jun 2006 23:19 GMT

I have had two Kias that take the same fluid, the Diamond SP-III.

The Chrysler ATF+4 is a relatively new fluid, and it is 100% compatible with
SP-III. If there is a problem, it is that the fluid is almost too new yet,
meaning you may have a bit of a time finding it, at least for a few more
months. But if you can find it, THAT is what you want to use.

Kia techs have admitted that the distribution of Diamond ATF SP-III was not
as widespread as they had anticipated or hoped, but that the new ATF+4 will
finally solve the problem, especially as it becomes more widely available,
supplanting the ATF+3 that is currently on most shelves.

Speaking of ATF+3, I talked to both a Chrysler and Kia regional tech person,
and both felt like even the older, more conventional ATF+3 should work okay,
though it is certainly not preferable to the ATF+4. I did use that in my
Sedona minivans, and it has worked out fine.

What you should not EVER use in these transmissions is Dexron. A lot of
shops that do the transmission flushes have used Dexron, and the Hyundai and
Kia transmissions have given trouble when this is used.

Hope this helps.

Tom Wenndt

> Ok, in my owners manual it says only to use diamond SPIII transmission
> fluid. I called my kia dealer to inquire about buying some the guy put
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Thanks,
> Ed

Reply to this Message

89GMC - 05 Jun 2006 00:35 GMT

Tom,

That was definitely helpful, I actually have some ATF+4 from my dodge
truck so it would make my life even easier. Thanks for all the info.

> I have had two Kias that take the same fluid, the Diamond SP-III.
>
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > Ed

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