B. S. The fluid wears a out. Get it changed. Try another Kia dealership if necessary. Just the fluid. Filter not necessary.

 

Thanks, Lou! I'll check to see where the next closest dealership is. Never Thought it would vary according to the dealers. Guess you never know...

 

For my 2017 Sportage, I'm planning to get it changed according to the severe maintenance cycle: Every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) / 4 years

 

Yeah...I don't like to go much longer than 50k, or so, myself. Preferrably every year (but, that's just me...). Thanks!

 

I've changed my 2013 twice and will do our 2020 also. Check for You Tube videos on changing it. There is a plug on top of the transmission you take out. Then take plastic undercarriage cover off and there is a drain plug on the transmission. I'm careful to collect it all, then I measure it and add the same new plus 1/4 cup. I pump the new into the transmission via the top plug. You have to add it slow as it will back up on you. Usually takes about 5 qts +/-. Every dealer around here uses that BG system and fluid. I don't care for it. This video is for a Sorento, but Sportage is about the same. I use genuine KIA fluid. Our dealer has really great prices on filters and fluids.

 

Good info. Thanks! But, what is the "BG system and fluid" you refer to? Just curious...

 

Watch this guy and pay attention to whether and when to do ATF change.:

Personally I tend to do first ATF change at 30-50K miles and do full exchange via drain and fill followed by - the rest of it via ATF cooler line and fill.
After first full replacement ATF will last longer and D/F can be done every 40K miles or so.
I use MaxLife in both my Kias.

 

You can only get about half the fluid by a drain/fill, which is why it is done 3 times with driving between by some - this is because most of the fluid is in the torque converter. Even if you only do it once, there is a tremendous benefit. Valvoline Max Life is indeed an excellent ATF. Doing multiple D/Fs close together is extremely wasteful because of the amount of fresh fluid drained on the second and third times - 50% on the second and 67% on the third. This is why it is typically spaced out to at least get some use on the new fluid before dumping it. By this method, you would do it about every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, or annually if you drive that much.

 

I have a '16 Sportage with wear protection, etc. However, even the best synthetics have a service life, and after that they must be replaced. So, the way I see it, having a "sealed transmission" is an absolute guarantee that IT WILL FAIL long before it would if one could service it regularly. So here's my questions (I know...at last!): Is there any way to change the fluid? A drain plug/fill plug that the dealers won't tell you about? Fill quantity after it's drained?
I own and maintain 4 vehicles and this is the only one with a trans I can't service...and it's DRIVING ME NUTS!!![emoji37] Is there any hope for my sanity, or am I beating a dead horse??
Any help from anyone will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

It’s very easy to do yourself. Just did my sorento this past weekend. Drain and refill. The second video from Richard Lloyd is excellent. Very detailed.

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IMHO, if the car's mileage is still reasonably 'low' at the time of first ATF change - do a complete replacement (don't confuse with flush).
Do it once since you are already there, D/F first and then the rest of old ATF via cooler line.
Multiple D/Fs are not only waste of time but also waste of ATF and money, as well as they don't replace all old ATF.

 

The BG system is a 'caned' R & R method of servicing the trans oil, or anti-freeze, or other fluids.
Most dealerships have them. A lot of larger service shops will have them. They are OK, nothing bad will happen. I've used it in the past on many vehicles, and I will in the future on our Kia.
If you change the fluid your self make sure to add the same amount you took out. Even down to the Dixie cup!
And yes, you need to run it manually through the gears prior to driving. Including reverse, 1,2,3,4, 5,6, in manual mode. This energizes each clutch pack with fluid. Good luck!!

 

what tranny is that + do 4 cyl kias aka 18 optima use the same? the Nissan tranny was likely their problematic CVT!!

 

Unfortunately, the Nissan trans is the dreaded CVT! If I understand your question (which I probably don't...), I don't know if the Optima has the same trans as the Sportage, but at least it's NOT A CVT!!!

 

Look on YouTube for How-to. I changed trans fluid, diff and transfer case to Amsoil at 75k. No dipstick, so you have to measure what comes out and put the same amount back in. Have about a gallon on hand for the transmission service.

 

The only "How-To's" I've found on YouTube are for the Sorentos, and they have that cap on the front you take off to check the fill level. I mean, what's the problem with having a stupid dipstick??!!! Now I just have to find the drain & fill plugs.
Amsoil is the only way to go, for sure! I usually buy the ATF by the case anyway, so I'm pretty sure I'll have enough.

 

Sorento is similar. The drain and fill are on the back side. For me, loosening the plastic sight hole just made a mess. I just changed the wife's Avalon trans to Amsoil. It is also "sealed" and a totally different experience.

 

It has a fill plug, a drain plug, and an overflow level check plug. The fill plug is accessed from the top after removing some air tube plumbing. Overflow plug can be reached from top or bottom. And, obviously drain plug reached from bottom only.

You need a scantool for running level check. ATF temp for level check is a must.

It's not sealed and can be serviced as often as you want.

Thanks "deadrx7conv" & "CrockPot" - I found the fill plug, further to the front than I was looking yesterday.
On driver side, down between the battery and one of the intercooler hoses.
Drain plug was easy to spot when viewed from under the SX. (photo)

 

There's a YouTube video on it. It's put out by an Amsoil dealer, but so what. It hits the touch points you are after. Measure what comes out, because that's what goes back in. There's no sight glass or other way to determine when it's full. It takes about a gallon for a change.

 

Would you guys who have done the "Drain & Fill" method; please let me know how many quarts of ATF to have ready on hand when I do mine .

 

I've done it twice on my 2013 Sportage. Our KIA dealer has great prices on genuine KIA parts & fluids, so I just used KIA type4. "Replaces type IV the manual states". I get 6 quarts. It takes like 5 3/4. I do a drain and replace the exact amount that came out. When I get my fill & drain plugs out, I let it sit for a hour or so to drain. It can be a pain to fill. There seems to be a baffle in the fill area and you have to fill with the new fluid real slow. Like bob2c stated, I run the car until it gets warm while taking a test drive then open the side, "over fill plug he called it" and let it drain until a drizzle then put the plug back in. Harbor Freight sells a cheap heat gun if you want to make sure it's 140 degrees. This process is very easy. Hardest part is taking the plastic under shroud off.

 

I drain it then fill up to when it starts to come out overfill plug in a light stream. Seal everything back up then drive the car to get up to operating temp. I think the manual states 140, but I never checked it. Then on level ground open overfill plug while vehicle is running and wait until a thin stream is flowing out. My first drain and fill was years ago and have performed 2 more since then with no issues. I switched over to AMSOIL signature and I’m very happy


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The manual states no service required.

Anyone here braved the danger and not changed their AT fluid and lost - having to replace the transmission? Or is the owner's manual just plain wrong and KIA wants to sell us more transmissions?

 

The manual is correct and the transmission fluid is considered to be a "sealed for life" system. That's why it's not so easy to change and there is no longer a transmission fluid dipstick. The reason for this is two fold: first, manufacturing tolerances are much better and secondly, the transmission fluid is better than in the past. However, "sealed for life" really means you don't need to change it or check it for the life of the WARRANTY. Eventually, when you hit 100,000 miles, you should have the transmission serviced or at least checked. The people who change the transmission fluid more often live in the past when you did have a dipstick and even the old manuals said to change it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Generally, these are the same people who change their oil more often than the manual recommends. Don't worry about the transmission fluid -- it's a thing of the past....

 

One should have 4 quarts ready for D/F.
Also, once again, if you disconnect ATF cooler line with yellow paint mark on the hose - that will make it easy to fill as air will escape thru that line while filling.
Owner's manual states maintenance intervals based on the notion the car's life time is same as warranty duration. If one wants to drive the car longer and have it in good shape, then different maintenance sched should be used. For ATF I'd say to do D/F every 30K miles.

 

One should have 4 quarts ready for D/F.
Also, once again, if you disconnect ATF cooler line with yellow paint mark on the hose - that will make it easy to fill as air will escape thru that line while filling.

Thanks for the info on: "disconnect ATF cooler line with yellow paint mark on the hose" I do plan to D/F again, I forgot to say I also tow which probably puts more load on the trans.
Here is a little more info I found: SPORTAGE(QL) > 2017 > G 2.0 T-GDI THETA II > Automatic Transaxle System (the ATF Level Check is PDF = should download)

 

If you know ATF level/volume is correct then you can simply D/F with same volume as long as ATF in transmission and fresh one are at same temp.
Too much ATF is just as bad as too little, checking level is highly recommended.

 

Yesterday I did my 2nd ATF change. I decided to do D/F.
I did not do "ATF Level Check" this time because both times I drained the ATF the drained amounts were within 1 ounce of each other. I refilled with the same amount that I drained out.
As dubber09 recommended I disconnected the upper ATF cooling line to the radiator to allow air to escape while filling.
Disconnecting the upper ATF cooling line made all the difference: filling was very quick and easy with no spills or mess.
I can't thank dubber09 enough for his help.
Hopefully these photos photos will aid the ATF change procedure. Following this thread should be helpful for anyone

considering the ATF change in their 4G 2016-2018+ Sportage.