Questions and Answers

Hyundai Excel Transmission Fluid Type Q. Dear Vince, I am currently working on a 1994 Hyundai Excel with approximately 130,000 miles. It is equipped with a 4 speed automatic transmission. On occasion, about once a week, when shifting from PARK to DRIVE, DRIVE does not engage, stays in NEUTRAL. If you put the car back in PARK then back in DRIVE it will engage, with a bit of harshness.

This seems to occur more after the car has been run, then left to sit. The rest of the time the transmission works normally. I have checked the transmission fluid level and it is within spec. I'm going to try changing the fluid. Are there any additives or specific oils, i.e.synthetic, you would recommend?

I was told by the dealer that I need an SP additive for this vehicle. Is this the same as the SP-II or SP-III type ATF used by Mitsubishi? Could this be a case where changing the transmission fluid might only make the problem worse? Thank you in advance for any assistance or advice you may be able to provide.

Regards,
Jeremy

A. That transmission, as specified by Hyundai, is ATF Plus 7176 which is, coincidentally, the same automatic transmission fluid. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that Hyundai uses Chrysler transmissions?

Anyway, I don't recommend adding any additives. I would go to either a Hyundai or Chrysler dealer and buy the fluid from them. The ATF Plus 7176 can make a big difference in transmission operation.