There is no required maintenance for the transmission. You can change the fluid out but it's a major pain is not required for normal driving (it's in the tech manual online).

 

Why is it a major pain? Is there a drain plug? Do you have to drop the pan?

 

QUOTE (Big B @ May 6 2010, 09:52 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320422

Why is it a major pain? Is there a drain plug? Do you have to drop the pan?

there's a drain plug but how do you put transmission oil back in? Usually through the dip stick port, but the 2011 sonata is sans transmission dipstick. The tech manual doesn't tell you how, it just mentions after draining refill.

Edit maybe on the return line from the transmission oil cooler? sketchy though...

 

QUOTE (osrk @ May 6 2010, 09:07 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320425

there's a drain plug but how do you put transmission oil back in? Usually through the dip stick port, but the 2011 sonata is sans transmission dipstick. The tech manual doesn't tell you how, it just mentions after draining refill.

Edit maybe on the return line from the transmission oil cooler? sketchy though...

No transmission can go unlimited miles without servicing the fluid. I am sure that its ok til 100K but then its on you to replace fluid. Transmissions need to be designed so they can be serviced period. I have never burnt up a tranny from servicing the tranny to often.

 

When I got my oil changed at the dealer with only 1200 miles on it the service manager tried to talk me out of it. I explained that I was old school and believed in doing the first change early. He basically said to not bother going old school on the trans because they don't do fluid changes on them. He wasn't too happy either, but that was because it's one less thing they can try to sell.

 

QUOTE (midas69 @ May 7 2010, 08:02 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320534

He wasn't too happy either, but that was because it's one less thing they can try to sell.

Thats something I was thinking about too. Even if Hyundai had built these Transmissions to not need a fluid change, you would still think they would want people to do it anyways, so their dealers have one more service they can make money off. Hmm, oh well. Good for us, bad for service departments!

 

i would imagine the fill port is much like the fill port in a manual transmission. On the transmission itself towards the top.

What about the filter?

I'm sorry there is no way i'm waiting 100k to change my trans fluid. If you wait that long you may as well never change it.

 

I think people are having a hard time adjusting to this decade. They still live in the past when the auto industry was at the begining. Why is it so difficult to believe the manufacturer when he says the transmission fluid needs no replacement for the life of the car? Do you think they designed the transmission so well and have no idea when to change the fluid? They did millions of testing miles with it and they are the only ones who know exactly what it needs. As far as I am concerned this is an excellent job and one less maintenance issue. Do not listen to the dealers because they have no clue on this issues. I worked at a car dealership where it was advertised that we are "factory trained" but believe me that is not the case. A lot of old school guys are out there and they will keep their old ways. Technology and materials have evolved tremendously and one of the best example is this magnificent Sonata. The dealer who sold the Sonata to me doubled the warranty for engine and transmission to 20 years and 200.000 miles for free. I guess that is a long time to go so no worries here.

 

QUOTE (tibike @ May 8 2010, 09:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320869

I think people are having a hard time adjusting to this decade. They still live in the past when the auto industry was at the begining. Why is it so difficult to believe the manufacturer when he says the transmission fluid needs no replacement for the life of the car? Do you think they designed the transmission so well and have no idea when to change the fluid? They did millions of testing miles with it and they are the only ones who know exactly what it needs. As far as I am concerned this is an excellent job and one less maintenance issue. Do not listen to the dealers because they have no clue on this issues. I worked at a car dealership where it was advertised that we are "factory trained" but believe me that is not the case. A lot of old school guys are out there and they will keep their old ways. Technology and materials have evolved tremendously and one of the best example is this magnificent Sonata.

100% We like in an age where I can get ANY information I want, and control practically anything, from a 2"x4" device, wirelessly. Technology has come so far, most people don't even realize it, just because they don't know what kind of power is literally at their fingertips if they choose to use it. Of course manufacturers have applied it to their materials and design.

QUOTE (tibike @ May 8 2010, 09:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320869

The dealer who sold the Sonata to me doubled the warranty for engine and transmission to 20 years and 200.000 miles for free. I guess that is a long time to go so no worries here.

Alot of dealers are doing this, or even offering Lifetime drivetrain. Its not much of a risk. The warranty is not transferable. How many new-car buyers in this category keep their cars more than 10 years? The car will fall apart before the 20 year warranty is up, if the dealer is still open. Though I am tempted to buy at one of the Lifetime places and keep the car until its a classic. :bwekk:

 

Can someone explain the schematics of this 6 speed automatic? Specifically, is there a drain plug? Is it on the side or the bottom of the transmission? Good point someone made with putting fluid through the trans-cooler lines. If the drain plug was mounted on the side, you could put a Fumoto valve and drain then pump fluid in and close the valve.

 

From what I understand, even on an older car, if you haven't been changing transmission fluid regularly, its even worse to change it out once your mileage is high.

The fluid on this car should last you long after you've already decided to switch out to car for a 2025 electric/hydro/magic whatever engine will be popular in the future.

 

QUOTE (tibike @ May 8 2010, 07:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=320869

I think people are having a hard time adjusting to this decade. They still live in the past when the auto industry was at the begining. Why is it so difficult to believe the manufacturer when he says the transmission fluid needs no replacement for the life of the car? Do you think they designed the transmission so well and have no idea when to change the fluid? They did millions of testing miles with it and they are the only ones who know exactly what it needs. As far as I am concerned this is an excellent job and one less maintenance issue. Do not listen to the dealers because they have no clue on this issues. I worked at a car dealership where it was advertised that we are "factory trained" but believe me that is not the case. A lot of old school guys are out there and they will keep their old ways. Technology and materials have evolved tremendously and one of the best example is this magnificent Sonata. The dealer who sold the Sonata to me doubled the warranty for engine and transmission to 20 years and 200.000 miles for free. I guess that is a long time to go so no worries here.

Here's a picture of the "Lifetime" fluid that was pulled from a BMW 760Li owned by a member of another forum that I'm on. This fluid had 70,000 miles on it and was originally gold-colored. I don't care how advanced it is, when a lubricant looks like that, it isn't doing its job the way it should. After having the fluid changed, he said it shifts smoother and no longer gets a 'bump' in first gear. The way I see it, 'lifetime' fluids are only 'lifetime' for the length of the warranty. If the manufacturers can get through the warranty without a transmission claim, they won't care what happens to it after it expires.

 

QUOTE (tibike @ May 8 2010, 07:03 AM)

Here's a picture of the "Lifetime" fluid that was pulled from a BMW 760Li owned by a member of another forum that I'm on. This fluid had 70,000 miles on it and was originally gold-colored. I don't care how advanced it is, when a lubricant looks like that, it isn't doing its job the way it should. After having the fluid changed, he said it shifts smoother and no longer gets a 'bump' in first gear. The way I see it, 'lifetime' fluids are only 'lifetime' for the length of the warranty. If the manufacturers can get through the warranty without a transmission claim, they won't care what happens to it after it expires.

So very true. End thread/

Good write up! The picture is very helpful too and I agree with you about no fluid could really work effectively forever.

Not to get into a debate on if that fluid is good, bad, whatever or if you should or should not change your transmission fluid, but the color of a fluid compared to new is no indication of the condition of the fluid. You can put brand new top of the line oil in your motor and drive for 1000 miles and it will come out black, does that mean that your motor oil is shot and needs to be changed after 1000 miles? absolutely not, its just the nature of part of what fluids do and that is to trap and suspend particulates.

Now for me, I believe in proper maintenance of my vehicles even if those parts have no "recommended service" intervals. My trans and coolant are going to get changed at 50k miles(for me that will be around 5 years from now) and my engine oil every 5k. Nobody ever damaged anything by changing lubricants to much.

 

QUOTE (lovemysantafe @ Mar 17 2011, 02:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=416515

Here's a picture of the "Lifetime" fluid that was pulled from a BMW 760Li owned by a member of another forum that I'm on. This fluid had 70,000 miles on it and was originally gold-colored. I don't care how advanced it is, when a lubricant looks like that, it isn't doing its job the way it should. After having the fluid changed, he said it shifts smoother and no longer gets a 'bump' in first gear. The way I see it, 'lifetime' fluids are only 'lifetime' for the length of the warranty. If the manufacturers can get through the warranty without a transmission claim, they won't care what happens to it after it expires.

So very true. End thread/

 

QUOTE (lovemysantafe @ Mar 17 2011, 03:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=416515

Here's a picture of the "Lifetime" fluid that was pulled from a BMW 760Li owned by a member of another forum that I'm on. This fluid had 70,000 miles on it and was originally gold-colored. I don't care how advanced it is, when a lubricant looks like that, it isn't doing its job the way it should. After having the fluid changed, he said it shifts smoother and no longer gets a 'bump' in first gear. The way I see it, 'lifetime' fluids are only 'lifetime' for the length of the warranty. If the manufacturers can get through the warranty without a transmission claim, they won't care what happens to it after it expires.

Good write up! The picture is very helpful too and I agree with you about no fluid could really work effectively forever.

 

As per page 7-17 of the owner's manual the auto trans fluid gets changed at 60,000 under the "severe usage conditions" schedule. Like most manufacturers, Hyundai's definition of "severe usage" probably covers more people than the "normal" schedule.

Attached are the procedures for checking the level and for replacing the fluid.

 

As per page 7-17 of the owner's manual the auto trans fluid gets changed at 60,000 under the "severe usage conditions" schedule. Like most manufacturers, Hyundai's definition of "severe usage" probably covers more people than the "normal" schedule.

Attached are the procedures for checking the level and for replacing the fluid.

PDF is corrupted...any chance you could re post it?

 

QUOTE (lovemysantafe @ Mar 17 2011, 02:03 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=416515

Here's a picture of the "Lifetime" fluid that was pulled from a BMW 760Li owned by a member of another forum that I'm on. This fluid had 70,000 miles on it and was originally gold-colored. I don't care how advanced it is, when a lubricant looks like that, it isn't doing its job the way it should. After having the fluid changed, he said it shifts smoother and no longer gets a 'bump' in first gear. The way I see it, 'lifetime' fluids are only 'lifetime' for the length of the warranty. If the manufacturers can get through the warranty without a transmission claim, they won't care what happens to it after it expires.

Thanks for that photo. Lubricants are lubricants, none are good forever and IMO 50,000 is plenty far for any ATF, no matter how magical it may be. The laws of glop still apply.

 

QUOTE (2011IBGLS @ Mar 17 2011, 06:12 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=416839

As per page 7-17 of the owner's manual the auto trans fluid gets changed at 60,000 under the "severe usage conditions" schedule. Like most manufacturers, Hyundai's definition of "severe usage" probably covers more people than the "normal" schedule.

Attached are the procedures for checking the level and for replacing the fluid.

Interesting. Where did all this talk come from about the fluid never needing to be changed?

 

QUOTE (ACDavis82 @ Mar 18 2011, 04:41 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=417312

Interesting. Where did all this talk come from about the fluid never needing to be changed?

People who drink the Hyundai Kool Aid

 

Lifetime fluid is a scam. It's just like long life coolant in cars, you change the coolant regularly. Look at GM DexCool. Fluid's get worn out and dirty, I don't care what anyone says.

All fluids, brake, power steering, coolant, transmission and engine oil need servicing. I just flushed out some brake fluid from my 06 Sonata, it came out brown and murky. Fresh fluid is clear like water.

 

It will be interesting when someone gets to 50k - 60k, does an ATF change-out, and posts on what they had to do & what the fluid looked like. I'm planning on both coolant and ATF at the 50k - 60k mark, but got a long ways to go sitting at 6k right now...........

 

I'll be changing mine as well after 50-60'000mi.
Trans will get something better than what's in it now as well.
Engine Oil is getting Royal Purple as well.

 

I've already faced this with a '00 Lincoln LS (closed Trans system) whose Manual states Service at 150K.

I have LS Forum notes quoting a Tranny "design" engineer" that he'd change his ea 30K BUT you don't have to til 100-150K. THEN I learned that Linc Svc Reps DISCOURAGE Service at High Mileages - At All - IF you've Never Serviced the Tranny before. They Claim built-up crud will come loose from the New detergents and damage the system. THEN a former LS plant Tranny engineer posted that you Cannot Hurt a Trans system with New Fluid; If it breaks it is because it was going to anyway.

I think that just about confuses the issue sufficiently enough for me to stop; Unless new data surfaces I plan on 30K servicing and the Hyundai Svc Rep confirmed a 30K Tranny Svc at the last oil change when I asked.

 

Clean oil never hurts anything,, it's when it gets used and loses it properties and starts to rot seals and soft parts that things go bad

 

I'll take fresh oil in my tranny any day over used fluid.
I'm sure the fluid is "ok" for a "long time", but I'd rather be proactive and change it before it has a chance to cause a problem. Just my opinion!B)

 

The idea of 'lifetime" fluids is not new. Just ask a BMW or Audi owner who have had thier $8000 tranny fail just out of warranty or do some searching on the web. Lots of interesting reads there...

Also to be taken into consideration is what the term "lifetime" means to the parties involved. To Hyundai and any other Manufacturer it means "the lifetime of the warranty i provide." To me the owner, it means till the wheels fall off or until i sell it. And most folks i think would agree with the latter definition. Notice the important differences in the views above?

I intend to keep my vehicle well past 100k and to that end i will be doing drain and fills every 30k. Reason why is because of a basic understanding of how transmissions function in general. Clutch material will inevitably be sheared off and end up circulating in the fluid making it akin to liquid sandpaper. The fluid itself will degrade due to time, heat, and the above mentioned contamination from clutch material. Not to mention that the ATF viscosity will change due to shearing which will also eventually affect shift quality. These forces are common to any tranny of this type, and there is no magic fluid that will prevent any of the above from happening. Good lubricants will delay the inevitable, but not prevent it.

To answer the OP's question, the tranny is only 'sealed' to the casual observer. There are indeed drain and fill plugs just like almost every other 'sealed for life' tranny. The procedure on this vehicle is just like on a manual tranny. Drain, refill, warm fluid to proper temp (122-140F, an infrared thermometer works well for this), adjust level based on overflow plug. Nothing really that complicated or mysterious about it as others would make it seem. All else fails, measure exactly how much fluid you drained, and refill with same quantity.

 

Completely agree. I used to work as a Test Engineer testing automatic transmission oil pumps and spent lots of time at the transmission assembly plants.

In addition to what veilside mentions above, the tolerances in your transmission pump, control body valves, and solenoids are extremely tight - we're talking microns here! It doesn't take much contamination to jam one of these valves and cause functional issues.

Replacing your fluid is prudent maintenance.