High milage fluid, to change or not to change

[Chris]

Hello all.

A friend has a 2004 Kia Sedona mini van with around 145k miles on it. She puts around 3k miles on it monthly due to her job. The question I’m imposing is, should the transmission fluid be changed? She bought it used and hasn’t ever changed the fluid thus far. I drive it and other than sounding like a kia van with 145k miles on the engine and drive train, it shifts fine. This topic has left me baffled due to no real answer. I will possible give Kia a call but first wondering if anyone out there has any real experience with this.

Thanks!

Topic

[Noureddine Marigh]

Your friend will want to check the fluid level and color. This can be done when the engine is warm and it is idling (according to the manual). The fluid should look red and clean. You will change the fluid once it starts to get dark, it will, at some point in the future, get very dark red or light brownish in color and that is a definite indication of immediate fluid change. If the fluid is checked, it’s red and the level is between the two notches of 75c then you’re good to go, no need to change. If the color is red and it is below, add enough fluid to get it to the normal level and remember the engine needs to be warm and the vehicle needs to be parked on a level surface to get accurate reading.

P.S. If you need to add or change fluid, get the Genuine Transmission Fluid or OEM equivalent. According to the Manual it’s DIAMOND ATF-SP III.

[college man]

Its a roll of the dice here. If you change it you could have problems
or not. I would take the chance and change it. Get the correct fluid and
filter(if it has one) check the owners manual for the service interval and
fluid and capacity.

[Chris]

Thanks for the replies. I being a mechanic myself understand the importance of fluids and there wear, i was a oil analysis tester in the navy for about 6 years, but transmissions as a whole have been my shortfall the span of my career.

I did contact a local Kia dealership and spoke with the shop forman, which i was told he has about 12 years working with kia products, told me that just leave the oil in there and run it till it dies. Sound advice i suppose instead of it being a money dump. Again this was a friends car and maintenance to her cars is not a priority in her life but again i think you for the help. 🙂

[college man]

Happy to help. 🙂

[george gonzalez]

Some folks say it’s a catch-22 situation. Old fluid with lots of suspended particles in it should be changed, however it’s possible that the loose particles are all that’s keeping the clutches and bands a-gripping and keeping the seals from leaking. So if you change the fluid, most of the valves and bearings will be happier, but the transmission might start slipping or leaking.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I get this question a lot and there really is no answer. I’m glad you contacted the dealer. They have the most experience with those vehicles and would provide the best advice. If they say leave it in, leave it in.

Thanks for keeping us up to date and for using the ETCG forum.

[Bill]

I agree with the dealer tech. My experience with Sedonas tells me it’s due to take a dump soon anyway.

[Author]

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