Transmission Oil Question - 2011 Equus Signature

[TuEKiD]

Hello everyone, I’ve been looking closely at my owner’s manual to see when the transmission oil should be exchanged on the Equus, I own a 2011 Signature model. According to the manual it’s every 100,000 miles yet my service advisor at Hyundai said the transmission has lifetime fluid. Lifetime fluid can’t be a thing, I refuse to believe that the fluid will never be worn down and not need to be replaced; especially since it’s written in black and white that it should be serviced every 100k. My car has high mileage and this is a major concern for me considering the rarity of the vehicle.
So I’m looking for someone with any experience with changing the transmission oil or perhaps information that other advisors have told them in the past that may help me better understand the transmission oil situation.
Anyone?

Thanks!

 

[homeofstone]

Transmission in the 2011 Equus is a ZF that deos need servicing and the transmission filter is made in the pan. Its a pan/filter. The fluid change and a new pan filter at the dealer will be about 800.00. Its a sealed transmission and not just any shop can do it. Its the same transmission in many Bentleys, BMW, Jaguar etc. I have had my changed at dealer every 75,000 miles. At 183,000 now the transmission is as smooth as new. If a dealer tells you it has no filter then find another dealer because it means they are not trained on the ZF transmission. In 2011 the Genesis and Equus both had the 4.6 V8 with the ZF transmission.

Link to some good mfg. info. http://www.hyundaiproductinformation.com/vehicles/11_vehicles/11_equus/equus_key_features.asp

 

[TuEKiD]

Awesome information! Thanks!

 

[srobak]

My neighbor is a trans mech and has confirmed back in my Azera days that there is no such thing as "lifetime trans fluid". Although Hyundai considers lifetime to be 100k - the term of the powertrain warranty - he recommends changing every 50k. He also said that since you cannot drain and fill any of them like you could in the old days - the fluid drain & fill method (1 plug bolt in the pan, another mounted pretty high on the side of the trans) only allows for about 5 qts of fluid to be changed. He recommends to do the change (can be done in a garage with a tall jack and a mechanic's syringe (http://www.walmart.com/ip/48714164?...32021978&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=88940119737&veh=sem ) drain and fill the amount it will allow (when fluid is level with the fill hole), drive for half an hour, working through gears both forward and reverse and then repeat drain, fill, drive process 2 more times. It will never result in a total fluid change, but the dillution will be about as high as you will be able to get.

Doing this yourself or in a friend's garage will save you several hundred dollars. It is fairly easy to do - just takes a few hours by this process.

 

[TuEKiD]

That's more great information, I'm fairly familiar with car preventative maintenance as I used to work on cars for about 3 years. This sounds like something I could do; my biggest concern would be over filling the trans.

Thanks!

 

[TuEKiD]

homeofstone can you clarify the pan/filter? I'm assuming you're saying that the filter is found inside the pan? Your comment makes it seem like you would have to replace the entire pan to replace the filter.

 

[srobak]

my biggest concern would be over filling the trans.

If you do - it will spill onto the floor or into your drain pan.

The fill hole that is on the side of the trans is also the "level check" hole. You fill it up until it is level with the hole - excess will spill out and make a mess.

 

[TuEKiD]

srobak would you be able to provide me with the location of the fill hole, a general description or heck even a picture?

Also does anyone know what kind of oil even goes into the transmission?

 

[Mark_888]

That's more great information, I'm fairly familiar with car preventative maintenance as I used to work on cars for about 3 years. This sounds like something I could do; my biggest concern would be over filling the trans.

Thanks!

Make sure you use the correct fluid. It uses a synthetic transmission fluid on the ZF transmission, but there is more than one synthetic fluid on the market and not any synthetic will do.

Personally, I would wait until 100K unless you think you fit the severe driving category.

 

[homeofstone]

homeofstone can you clarify the pan/filter? I'm assuming you're saying that the filter is found inside the pan? Your comment makes it seem like you would have to replace the entire pan to replace the filter.

Correct, the filter is manufactured into the pan. To change filter the entire pan must be changed.

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[Rey]

The six speed ZF transmission is used by several mfg and there are plenty of transmission shops that will change fluid for much less than the $800 quoted by your dealer.
The later eight speed is a different beast. It is unique to Hyundai (so Hyundai says) and may require more expertise than the six speed. But it is only a fluid change, and I think a competent transmission shop should be able to do this for much less than the dealers.

 

[Mark_888]

But it is only a fluid change, and I think a competent transmission shop should be able to do this for much less than the dealers.

Should? Yes, they should be able to change it, but what if they botch it? It is likely to be their first time changing the fluid for that particular transmission.

I don't like to be first when it comes to stuff like that.

 

[TuEKiD]

I went to the dealer on Saturday to get an alignment, balance and rotation. I bugged my advisor to talk to his techs about what you guys told me. Later on he said they found the fill hole and "couldn't tell the condition of the fluid just by looking at it". I'll need to check it myself now because I know exactly what spent fluid looks like. The car has 144k on it, if the fluid hasn't been changed I really need to get it done; I bought the car with 133k. I just need to be certain what's going in will meet the specifications, they quoted the transmission service at $1,000! They said each bottle of fluid was about $76 and I need 10 quarts.

I have to figure out exactly what type of ZF fluid goes in.

 

[TuEKiD]

Check this out! This may fit!

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=product&id=186&parent=8


Also this thread is interesting, it seems that the Genesis 4.6 may be using the same transmission im the 4.6 Equus. I'm seeing recommendations for using Mobil-1 Full Synthetic ATF Fluid.

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=6391

 

[homeofstone]

Check this out! This may fit!

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=product&id=186&parent=8


Also this thread is interesting, it seems that the Genesis 4.6 may be using the same transmission im the 4.6 Equus. I'm seeing recommendations for using Mobil-1 Full Synthetic ATF Fluid.

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=6391

The first link is what I would go with. I found the same link months ago but chose to just pay my dealer. If you have a way to lift the car and have the experience then go for a DIY. You may want to read all the service instructions which I think are available on the ZF transmission mfg. site. zf site http://www.zf.com/corporate/en_de/products/spare_parts/technical_information/lubricants/lubricants.html

 

[Mark_888]

I have to figure out exactly what type of ZF fluid goes in.

The Genesis owners manual says this (same ZF transmission as the Equus):

ATF M 1375.4
10.04 US qt. (9.5 liters)

I'll need to check it myself now because I know exactly what spent fluid looks like

Unless you have experience with synthetic automatic transmission fluid, you may be surprised.

 

[princelybug]

The six speed ZF transmission is used by several mfg and there are plenty of transmission shops that will change fluid for much less than the $800 quoted by your dealer.
The later eight speed is a different beast. It is unique to Hyundai (so Hyundai says) and may require more expertise than the six speed. But it is only a fluid change, and I think a competent transmission shop should be able to do this for much less than the dealers.

I have a 2016 Equus with the 8-speed transmission. I would like to get my transmission fluid replaced.

Anyone with experience with this model? Is the filter attached to the pan? How much should this service cost at the dealership?

 

[trodder]

I have a 2016 Equus with the 8-speed transmission. I would like to get my transmission fluid replaced.

Anyone with experience with this model? Is the filter attached to the pan? How much should this service cost at the dealership?

I’m in the same boat. I can’t find a replacement filter anywhere but a Hyundai parts site shows just some screen/plug thing? I plan on doing a drain and fill but I will replace filter if it actually has one? Mine is a 2014 with 5.0L motor.

 

[G-396575]

I WAS QUOTED $220 FOR A TRANNY SERVICE FROM MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER THE OTHER DAY I HAVE A 2011 Equus. I don't know where you people are coming up with $800 - $1000

 

[G-157920]

Hello everyone, I’ve been looking closely at my owner’s manual to see when the transmission oil should be exchanged on the Equus, I own a 2011 Signature model. According to the manual it’s every 100,000 miles yet my service advisor at Hyundai said the transmission has lifetime fluid. Lifetime fluid can’t be a thing, I refuse to believe that the fluid will never be worn down and not need to be replaced; especially since it’s written in black and white that it should be serviced every 100k. My car has high mileage and this is a major concern for me considering the rarity of the vehicle.
So I’m looking for someone with any experience with changing the transmission oil or perhaps information that other advisors have told them in the past that may help me better understand the transmission oil situation.
Anyone?

Thanks!

I got same car with 95K on it, bought it new. Dealer and AAmco gave me same "Can't do it" info.
Took it to local JiffyLube(Chicago) they did it clean for $300 using Shell M-1375.4 ATF. EQUUS runs great. Jiffy Lube tech did a Wonderfull Drain & Fill Job.