Kia Sorento- Auto gearbox oil change???

[Andy.F]

I've had my sorento xs auto for 2 years. It's a 04 model with auto/steptronic, 60,000 miles.

Ive had my differential oils changed but were advised not to`mess about' with the auto gearbox oil even though it is recommended changing at 60,000 miles.

Anyone got any views on this?

I love my sorento and have had no trouble.

The only thing is to watch out for is my car has some bubbling near the rear number plate on the corner near the chrome cover.

the anti perferation warranty is'nt valid unless you pay for the bodywork check from new!!! Watch out!!

 

[rob_jax]

Andy,

If you've do a reasonable amount of towing, and it's recommended in the handbook to change the fluid at 60k - then why not?

If you can examine the fluid - it should hopefully look like new fluid - bright and clear (probably translucent red fluid). If it looks in anyway off - maybe turning brown, or dark and cloudy, or smells different to fresh, then those are strong indicators that the fluid is cooked and needs changing - irrespective of mileage.

Robert

 

[RogerL]

Good quality, clean, transmission fluid is the lifeblood of an automatic transmission.

Many manufacturers regard towing as extreme conditions for autoboxes and reduce the change interval.

Get the transmission fluid changed at the age/mileage appropriate to towing duty on your vehicle.

To make you feel better, my Subaru automatic needs the fluid changing every year/12,000 miles when towing, it takes 9 litres of a Subaru-only specification.

 

[Andy.F]

Thanks to you both for your replies.

The reason the garage said not to change my oil was that they say you never empty all of the oil out when changing it and you can introduce contamination i.e fragments of dirt when changing from the bottom of the sump.

They say if it's ok leave it. I will now consider getting mine done!

 

[Andy.F]

Thanks to you both for your replies.

The reason the garage said not to change my oil was that they say you never empty all of the oil out when changing it and you can introduce contamination i.e fragments of dirt when changing from the bottom of the sump.

They say if it's ok leave it. I will now consider getting mine done!

 

[Conquerorman]

Definately change it. Tha oil gets very hot on an auto box and as previously said it is the life blood of the box and the oil should be a clearish colour. I was advised by an auto transmission specialist to change the fluid every year.

 

[RogerL]

It's certainly true that you can't drain more than about half the fluid from an autobox without dismantling it but that's no excuse for a "partial" change at the recommended intervals.

Introducing contaminants can be avoided by good clean procedures - if your garage is concerned about contaminants, find another garage!