Did you have the rough cold shifting before the change?

 

Our SF never had an issue with rough shifts, cold or at operating temp. The shifts were noticeable though and there was a very short "lag" between them. Nothing to have me concerned, in terms of mechanical issue.

However, after this fluid change, the shifting is very seamless all throughout the six gears. It feels like the transmission is running on one gear, the shifting is that smooth.

My wife noticed how smooth the vehicle drives now, compared to before.

 

I see your pictured drain plug for fluid removal. How did you refill yours?....... dipstick tube?
Is that Signature Series fluid specifically for imported vehicles? Can you share a pic - or wording on the front of the quart jug? That way I'll enter the info into Google Search and find a nearby retailer - knowing specifically what exactly to order for mine.

How many quarts of fluid did you need? I don't even know if my 2019 2.4 has a trans dipstick tube to refill. I'll look for one today.

 

I refilled through the breather plug on top of the transmission. Word of warning, filling through that method can get messy if the filling process is rushed. Reason being, the transmission is a sealed system, and when filling through a small orifice, such as the breather port, the viscous fluid entering through that hole will need time to pass through. Imagine filling a dishwashing soap dispenser with dishwashing liquid, similar concept.

What I did to facilitate the fill process is to open the fill plug to let air in and allow the fluid to go through the breather port quicker (like a release valve, so to speak).

Question is, why did I not fill through the fill port? Because fluid was spilling out of the fill port before I even got to the 5.4L volume to replace the 5.4L volume that i drained.

FYI, the Santa fe GLS (or XL) with the 3.3 GDI engine does not have a transmission dipstick.

 

I had the same issue as you - more fluid came out than went back in. However, I found that the engine needs to be running to get the proper fill level. And, the easiest way is to fill the fluid through the fill tube with the check plug off.

Fill the trans up from the fill tube (with long funnel) until fluid starts to run out from the check plug.
Start the car and warm up engine for a few minutes (with check plug off)
Top off the fluid through the fill tube until fluid runs out of the check plug again.
Put the check plug back on the car..
Done.
Note: Keep the car running during the fop off and putting the check plug back on, or else fluid will run out and the level will be wrong.

 

Just bought my 17 SF LWB AWD 3.3 about a month ago with 38k miles. Started shifting strange about a week after i bought it. Which is strange because i actually made a comment to the sales guy about how smoothly it shifted on the test drive. So I did 3 drain and fills with Max life ATF, the proper way, with the vehicle level, filling through the filler hole, with the leveling plug removed while up to temp and idling in park. The original ATF came out the color of a melted chocolate bar. It didn't 'smell' burnt but it did have some glitter in it. I found some sand in the engine bay, so i'm assuming it saw some trips to the beach, probably towing. However, now with the Max Life, it shifts WORSE than it did before i changed the ATF. I tried to get Amsoil because of all the reviews, but i couldn't find it anywhere! No one could even order it. After searching their website for an authorized dealer, i found a place about a half hour away that could order it for me, but i missed their Amsoil shipment and have to wait until next month, December. Hopefully only another week at this point. I really hope it fixes my shifting problems. If not, i'm racing the heII out of this thing until it pops and they replace it under warranty. 61K more miles to go.

 

Why not use a fluid that meets Hyundai specs? If you use an unapproved fluid, you may void your warranty.
Is the Amsoil licensed for use in your vehicle?

 

Sorry, i thought it was clearer in my post. The Max life DOES meet Hyundai specs according to the jug. It's just questionable if it really is a good substitute to the stuff you get at the dealership, or if it just says you can use it. I priced the stuff at my local dealer for $38 a quart. They're out of their effing minds. I used the Valvoline Max life because it's the ONLY ATF you can buy off the shelf that is "rated" to be safe for SP-IV applications. However, after being very unsatisfied, i did more research and found a dealer that can order me Amsoil, which is also compatible with ONLY SP-IV ATF (much more realistic than what Max Life claims). So when the Amsoil comes in, hopefully later this week, i'll drain the Max life and use the Amsoil.

Also, ATF isn't "licensed" for vehicles. It meets or exceeds the specification. And yes, they both do. Amsoil just exceeds it better.

 

I used the Max Life from walmart on mine too. Did two drain/fills - approx 8 quarts. Color coming out was same as yours (like melted chocolate) but no smell and there was just a little sludge on the drain plug (at 60k miles). Only driving short trips these days (due to lockdowns) so I have only put on about 2k miles since the change, but no issues so far.

 

Suitable, recommended, similar does not mean that it is licensed to meet specs. Be very careful with these multi vehicle ATFs. Also, Max LIfe does not carry any warranty at all from Valvoline.
Interesting reading at the Bob is the oil guy site. Only need to read the first post and the last page of this thread.

A word of caution regarding Valvoline Maxlife ATF

I want to express that I'm not trying to start a war of words, nor am I looking for legal advice. This thread is being started because I believe there is fair value in having the BITOG community aware of a recent conversation I've had with Valvoline product support regarding the Maxlife...

bobistheoilguy.com

 

Yep, you're exactly right. I've already read that thread. And that's why i'm switching to Amsoil. Many people claim to have used Max Life and been perfectly happy. I took the chance because it's the ONLY thing you can buy at the store that has SP-IV on the label. Whether that is even accurate or not.... But now that i'm dissatisfied, i made it a point to find an Amsoil dealer and order some. It can't get here soon enough.

 

I've only heard of your case and there are dozens that have been satisfied with Max-Life (including myself). Chances are you will have the same result with the "high-priced" stuff. Worth a try.

 

Chances are you will have the same result with the "high-priced" stuff. Worth a try.

I fear you may be right, and hope you're wrong. The thing that has me so confused is that it only shifts hard in D. If I shift in manual mode, it's literally so smooth, you can't feel it shifting.

Another straw I'll grasp at is having the learning curve reset and checking for updates next time I go into the dealer.

 

They will definitely want you as a spokesperson...glad it worked for you!

 

Finally got around to draining and filling the atf. Filling is a PITA! Lol. I had fluid leaking all over the place. It took forever to pour in and kept burping. Any suggestions for next time?

Maxlife didn't help my rough shifting and slippage. I even put in a bottle of Lucas Transmission fix. Didn't help. Probably gonna try Amsoil for next time.

 

Finally got around to draining and filling the atf. Filling is a PITA! Lol. I had fluid leaking all over the place. It took forever to pour in and kept burping. Any suggestions for next time?

Maxlife didn't help my rough shifting and slippage. I even put in a bottle of Lucas Transmission fix. Didn't help. Probably gonna try Amsoil for next time.

So the burping issue is because you plugged the leveling hole before you starting filling. You should leave the plug off the side while filling. It won't burp that way. Also, I know a ton of people were perfectly happy with the MaxLife ATF on the forums. I however was not. It still shifted really hard and clunky. I then did another change with Amsoil Signature series. It was WAY WAY better. For a while it felt like new, but after a while, the shifts got a little harder. Still better than the MaxLife, but honestly, i just think it's the tranny's in the Santa Fe's during those model years. They're just not good. Some get lucky, others don't.

 

if you remove the line under the transmission there is a yellow and a red, the yellow on you remove and it will breath better when filling, also there is a procedure to do this correctly here.