Transmission Fluid Change

Drain and refill the automatic transmission fluid to maintain proper lubrication and shifting performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Kia SP-IV-M ATF — 4.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine and transmission to cool for at least 1 hour if recently driven
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jack points
4. Remove plastic engine under cover if equipped using 10mm socket
5. Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission pan and transmission pan bolts
6. Verify you have correct Kia SP-IV-M ATF fluid before starting

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid via drain plug
   Position drain pan under transmission drain plug. Using 17mm socket, slowly loosen the drain plug. Allow fluid to drain completely into pan for approximately 10-15 minutes. Once drained, remove and inspect the old crush washer on the drain plug.
2. 2

   Reinstall drain plug with new crush washer
   Remove old crush washer from drain plug and discard. Install new crush washer onto drain plug. Thread drain plug by hand to avoid cross-threading, then torque to specification using torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove transmission pan bolts
   Using 10mm socket, loosen all transmission pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern, working from outside to center. Leave two bolts on opposite corners partially threaded to support pan weight. Carefully lower pan while supporting it to prevent spilling residual fluid.
4. 4

   Remove transmission pan and filter
   Once all fluid has drained from pan, fully remove remaining bolts and lower pan carefully. Remove old gasket material from pan and transmission mating surface using plastic scraper. Inspect internal transmission filter; remove and replace if serviceable (some models have non-serviceable internal filter).
5. 5

   Clean and prepare pan
   Thoroughly clean transmission pan interior and exterior with clean shop rags. Inspect pan for metal debris or damage to magnet. Clean magnet thoroughly. Ensure all old gasket material is removed from pan sealing surface.
6. 6

   Install new gasket and reinstall pan
   Position new transmission pan gasket on pan, ensuring proper alignment with all bolt holes. Carefully raise pan into position on transmission. Hand-thread all pan bolts to prevent cross-threading. Tighten bolts in criss-cross pattern from center outward to specification using torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Pan Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Refill transmission with ATF
   Locate transmission dipstick tube at rear of engine bay. Insert long-neck funnel into dipstick tube. Add 4 quarts of Kia SP-IV-M ATF fluid slowly. Wait for fluid to settle, then add additional fluid in 0.5 quart increments. Start with approximately 4.5 quarts total.
8. 8

   Check fluid level (cold)
   With engine still off, check transmission fluid level on dipstick. Fluid should be in COLD range. Add fluid as needed to bring level to upper COLD mark. Do not overfill.
9. 9

   Warm up transmission and verify level
   Start engine and allow to idle. With foot on brake, shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-L) pausing 3 seconds in each position. Return to Park. Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature (approximately 5-10 minutes). Check fluid level on dipstick with engine running. Fluid should be in HOT range. Add fluid as needed to reach upper HOT mark.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall plastic engine under cover if removed
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Dispose of used ATF fluid properly at recycling center

Verification

• Check for leaks around drain plug and transmission pan after warming engine
• Verify transmission fluid level is in proper HOT range with engine running and at operating temperature
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth shifting through all gears
• Recheck fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Monitor for leaks over the next few days of driving

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