Changing Transmission Fluid

[Rey]

My observations are that automatic transmission maintenance is often neglected or ignored completely. In my opinion, auto transmissions are the weakest element in modern drivetrains. This is not to say they are not reliable for say 100,000 miles. But a neglected transmission will not have nearly the life of the motor.
I change transmission fluid at 50K mile intervals. It isn't cheap. The 4.6 liter Genesis has a variant of the German ZF 6HP26 transmission. This transmission was first used in 2001 by BMW in their 7 series, and by Audi in 2003 in their A8. I found a place in California which sells a fluid change kit: http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=product&id=186&parent=8.
The kit is $221.95.

 

[ctrcbob]

My observations are that automatic transmission maintenance is often neglected or ignored completely. In my opinion, auto transmissions are the weakest element in modern drivetrains. This is not to say they are not reliable for say 100,000 miles. But a neglected transmission will not have nearly the life of the motor.
I change transmission fluid at 50K mile intervals. It isn't cheap. The 4.6 liter Genesis has a variant of the German ZF 6HP26 transmission. This transmission was first used in 2001 by BMW in their 7 series, and by Audi in 2003 in their A8. I found a place in California which sells a fluid change kit: http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=product&id=186&parent=8.
The kit is $221.95.

First off, what you say about taking care of your transmission is true.
I saw this same thread in the Jaguar Forums, as the XJ Jags use the same transmission.

The price of the LifeGuard6 fluid is a LOT cheaper than the Hyundai fluid, which is about $75. a quart. If I knew that the LifeGuard6 Fluid was not tinted red, I would just buy enough Liters to change the fluid, and not buy the pan/gasket or filter because even though the 6HP26 used in the Genesis 4.6 is probably the same as the 6HP26 in the BMW or Jag, it may not, we just don't know if there are any small changes to the pan or gasket, etc. If the LifeGuard6 is tinted Red, I would not use it as long as the Genesis is in Warranty, because the ZF Fluid is Clear, and if the day comes that the transmission gives you problems, and Hyundai sees that you have red fluid in there, they will decline the warranty. BTW, dealers don't "fix" the ZF Transmission found in the 4.6. They exchange it with a new one from Hyundai who then takes the old transmission apart, or Hyundai sends the old one to someone (perhaps ZF) who takes it apart. If the wrong fluid in in there, goodby warranty. If anyone does buy the LifeGuard6 Fluid, make sure that somewhere on the bottle, it states that it meets the M-1375.4 spec that Hyundai and ZF call for, and I would save the empty bottles, just in case there is ever a transmission problem while under warranty.

To those of you who buy a Previous Owned (re; Used) Genesis 4.6, the transmission warranty is much less. (Can't remember how much, but somewhere around 60k miles). In that case, just use Mobil-1 ATF in the transmission. Costs much less. My buddy with a 2005 XJR (Supercharged) that uses the exact same transmission, did a pump and dump with the original Jag/ZF Fluid, and used the Mobil-1 Full Synthetic ATF. Transmission shifts great, and is very happy with it. (He really did three pump and dumps, all in a row, to get rid of most of the original fluid). He made sure that after the last pump and dump, he checked the temperature of the fluid when he checked the fluid level, to make sure it was not underfilled or overfilled.

If I were to buy either a used Genesis 4.6 or a used Jag XJ, I would change out the fluid with the Mobil-1 Full Synthetic ATF Fluid.

BTW, I understand the guys in the BMW and Mercedes Forums that use the exact same 6HF26 Transmission say the same thing about using Mobil-1.

Note that this thread is for the Genesis 4.6 that uses the ZF Transmission. It is NOT for the Genesis 3.8 that uses the Aisin Transmission.

 

[Cut-Throat]

What's the manufacturers recommendation on this?

 

[ctrcbob]

What's the manufacturers recommendation on this?

I "assume" that the manufacturer (ZF) recommendation is that it meets the
M-1375.4 Spec, just like Hyundai's recommendation.

There are fluids that meet this spec, however when my Hyundai service guy checked with Hyundai about using these fluids, (even though they meet the spec), Hyundai said no, to only use the Hyundai fluid at $75. a quart.



I would love to change my fluid at 50,000, but not at $75. a quart. The transmission is warrantied to the original owner for 100,000 miles, so I will wait until then.

 

[TJPark01]

There was a long discussion on this last year...
Price of ZF Transmission Fluid (CRAZY)

 

[mk1]

I took my car in for the map update and they recommended the 30K mile service, which included the transmission fluid. $650 after 15% discount coupon....I feel like I got taken.

Anythoughts?

 

[Cut-Throat]

I took my car in for the map update and they recommended the 30K mile service, which included the transmission fluid. $650 after 15% discount coupon....I feel like I got taken.

Anythoughts?

Let's try this again.

Is 30K Hyundai's recommendation for changing transmission fluid.

 

[TJPark01]

I took my car in for the map update and they recommended the 30K mile service, which included the transmission fluid. $650 after 15% discount coupon....I feel like I got taken.

Anythoughts?

Sorry guy, you got hosed. Hyundai recommends that the ATF only be inspected every 37,500 miles (60,000 km) or 48 months. Otherwise changed at 60k if under severe service.

 

[TJPark01]

Let's try this again.

Is 30K Hyundai's recommendation for changing transmission fluid.

Under normal service the fluid is not recommend to be changed only INSPECT ATF LEVEL. Some people do it for peace of mind.

 

[Sayantsi]

Just for my info, what is the cost per quart of fluid for the Aisin trans.?

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[CapoCriminali]

I "assume" that the manufacturer (ZF) recommendation is that it meets the
M-1375.4 Spec, just like Hyundai's recommendation.

There are fluids that meet this spec, however when my Hyundai service guy checked with Hyundai about using these fluids, (even though they meet the spec), Hyundai said no, to only use the Hyundai fluid at $75. a quart.



I would love to change my fluid at 50,000, but not at $75. a quart. The transmission is warrantied to the original owner for 100,000 miles, so I will wait until then.

I'm pretty sure if you matched the M-1375.4 spec, that Hyundai would have no right to deny your warranty claim. Again, I refer everyone to the MagMoss warranty act. It stops dealers from saying BS like "oH, I see you installed a new radio, I'm sorry, we can't fix your engine under warranty anymore" or "Oh, you used a non-factory oil? Tsk tsk. Now you have no engine warranty" - it doesn't work that way. If you can prove that the aftermarket parts you use (including fluids) meet the factory spec, the onus is on the dealership to PROVE that your aftermarket part caused the damage.

The reason Hyundai can still get away with "Use our fluid at $75/qt, rather than the one that's $35/qt" is because everyone just "oh ok's" them rather than pushing the issue...

 

[wallymn]

according to the service schedule thru 150k the transmission requires to service (inspection only)... there is no listed time the fluids should be changed......

I might ask the dealer if they know the life of the fluid since it doesn't appear covered in the manual.

 

[Cut-Throat]

according to the service schedule thru 150k the transmission requires to service (inspection only)... there is no listed time the fluids should be changed......

I might ask the dealer if they know the life of the fluid since it doesn't appear covered in the manual.

Looks like I won't be changing mine. This is all the peace of mind that I need

 

[kogu]

yeah
when they sold me the car, they said its good for the life of the car

 

[brihvac]

I have not looked in my manual, but I was told by my selling dealer that if you do not have the fluid inspected/changed that it WILL void your trans warranty and they have seen it done where Hyundai would not pay for it. They said its in the manual. If it is thats B.S.

 

[wallymn]

I have not looked in my manual, but I was told by my selling dealer that if you do not have the fluid inspected/changed that it WILL void your trans warranty and they have seen it done where Hyundai would not pay for it. They said its in the manual. If it is thats B.S.

I am looking at the manual for the ZF trans not the AISIN trans... Your post closing states you have the 3.8 which has the AISIN,, that may have a different service schedule than the ZF....

 

[ctrcbob]

I have not looked in my manual, but I was told by my selling dealer that if you do not have the fluid inspected/changed that it WILL void your trans warranty and they have seen it done where Hyundai would not pay for it. They said its in the manual. If it is thats B.S.

The book says "inspected" at the 36K mark. (I think its at the 36K mark). If your dealer says you MUST change it before the 100K mark, they are trying to take advantage of you. Don't get me wrong. Changing it is a good idea, but the owners manual does not say anything about changing before the 100K mark.

As I've said before, the Hyundai ATF for the ZF Transmission costs about $75 a liter or quart. Don't know how much the Hyundai ATF for the Aisin Transmission costs.

In navigating through the www.thectsc.com site mentioned in earlier posts, I see that their ATF says right on the bottle "ZF - Lifeguard Fluid" and that it is made just for ZF Transmissions. The ZF-Lifeguard fluid for the ZF 6HP26 transmission is Lifeguard6 fluid, ZF part number S671 090 255 01 and is for ZF transmissions used in Audi, Bentley BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati (all these have a manufacturer part number assigned) and most of all,
Hyundai (oil no. 040000C90SG). (They also have a ZF-Lifeguard8 listed for those cars with the ZF 8 Speed Transmissions).

Lastly, I read somewhere on the site, (or it may have been in the www.bobistheoilguy.com site) that the ZF-Lifeguard6 fluid is CLEAR, not dyed red like other fluids. Best of all, this ZF-Lifeguard6 fluid costs $17.13 a quart/liter, not the $75.00 that Hyundai charges.

If you change fluid while still in warranty, the above is the way to go.

If you change fluid once warranty is finished, you can do like my Jaguar buddy and use Mobil-1 Synthetic ATF. He is happy with it, and many on the Jaguar and BMW BB's are using it.

 

[Aquineas]

Excellent info crtcbob, thanks for posting.

 

[calbear88]

I have a 2012 3.8L genesis with the new Hyundai-built 8 speed transmission. The manual mentions inspecting the automatic transmission fluid every 37,500 miles, but doesn't mention the interval to replace the fluid.

Just wondering if anyone has recommendations on how often the fluid should be changed.

Thanks.

 

[Chad Keller]

I'm pretty sure if you matched the M-1375.4 spec, that Hyundai would have no right to deny your warranty claim. Again, I refer everyone to the MagMoss warranty act. It stops dealers from saying BS like "oH, I see you installed a new radio, I'm sorry, we can't fix your engine under warranty anymore" or "Oh, you used a non-factory oil? Tsk tsk. Now you have no engine warranty" - it doesn't work that way. If you can prove that the aftermarket parts you use (including fluids) meet the factory spec, the onus is on the dealership to PROVE that your aftermarket part caused the damage.

The reason Hyundai can still get away with "Use our fluid at $75/qt, rather than the one that's $35/qt" is because everyone just "oh ok's" them rather than pushing the issue...

I just got off the phone with Valvoline after reading their spec sheet on the Maxlife full synthetic transmission fluid:
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/maxlife_atf.pdf
There is not a mention of meeting the 1375.4 spec on the sheet but it says to call because they meet many more than listed. When I called, the agent was very familiar with the 1375.4 spec, rattled off all the cars it goes in and said Maxlife fluid meets the 1375.4 spec. At less than $5 per quart at WalMart this is going in my 4.6 Genesis Tranny. It is colored so those of you concerned about a clear fluid should steer clear as it's pink in color. I don't think Hyundai can legally void your warranty as long as you stick with the same spec. I have no warranty as both my Genesis cars are salvage.