New (to me) XG350 has brown transmission fluid

Just bought a 2002 XG350 with 38,000 miles on it. I was surprised to see
that the transmission fluid
was brown. No burn smell and the transmission seems to be operation
perfectly, so I'm guessing this
is "normal" - I see the transmission fluid change interval is 30,000 miles
under "severe" conditions
(and 110,000 miles under "normal" conditions). I'll change the fluid and
filter and keep an eye on things
if this truly is "normal". But if its not "normal" I would appreciate some
advice as to what to do about it.

Also, has anyone ever changed transmission fluid like the service manual
tells you to...by disconnecting
a hose and running the engine to pump out the transmission fluid? This
makes me a little nervous. Am
I being overly cautious?

Thanks
Dan

 

A drain and fill every 30K should normally be enough. The filter isn't
serviceable.

Is the fluid muddy brown, or does it look more like atf with a brown tint?
Some of the cars came with very little red coloring in the atf, so if
it's not real muddy, it could be ok. The thing that scares me is that
Hyundai claims brown atf is normal. If my car had fluid like that, I'd
change it.

Many shops now have transmission fluid exchangers. If your fluid is
really muddy brown, this will clean it up very well. I recommend this on
cars whose fluid looks so bad that I think a drain and fill will still
leave it brown.

 

Just make sure you get Hyundai specific SPIII fluid. Might as well get a
case from your local dealer.

Conrad

 

When you say the filter isn't servicable do you mean it must be replaced?

If I go to a shop that has a transmission fluid exchanger how can I be sure
they put in SPIII fluid? I just know they're gonna say their fluid is OK for
Hyundais but my owners manual stresses using only SPIII fluid.

Thanks for sharing your expertise hyundaitech It's greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Dan,
I have an XG 300 (2001) & my tranny fluid went dark (brownish) last August
while driving all day through high heat in Montana. It seems that the
semi-synthetic fluid will change to this colour under high heat. Mine did
not smell burned either but I did change the fluid & filter. I did not do as
you suggest about running the motor but have since talked with the local
dealer's mechanic & he advised something similar. I was only able to get out
5 litres of the 8 that it would hold, so my fresh fluid change took on a
dark hue right away. Hyundai states this is normal by the way & my tranny
runs fine..........but still I'd feel better if it was a nice cherry red.
BCinBC

 

I just traded my 02 XG350L (with 32,000 miles on it) and I can tell
you brown is normal for Hyundai. I changed the fluid myself (which BTW
is VERY easy) and there is NO transmission filter on the 2002 on. That
said, I always change the fluid at 20,000 miles.

 

Traded at 32K? Was something wrong?

Thanks
Bob

 

Nope, ran just like it did when I bought it. I still have my wife's 02
Santa Fe. I really missed riding up high, so I wanted to go back to an
SUV. The Santa Fe is nice (and reliable), but it was a little too
small for me (I'm a big guy).
I really liked the Kia Sorento. In fact I liked the Kia Sorento so
much I bought it (a 2004, EX, Band new from Cal Worthington Kia in
Long Beach California). After owning it for one week, I noticed some
overspray. I took it to my local Kia dealership and we found out it
was involved in an accident and sold to me as brand new! Well on the
positive note, Cal Worthington of Long Beach agreed to "unwind" the
deal. Luckily, they still had my XG350L so I go that back in good
shape.
But after all that, I got a bit nervous about Kia and went with a
Toyota 2004 4runner. It's too bad too, I really liked the Kia Sorento,
I just don't trust the dealers.

You can email your questions to: k1124@<removethis>juno.com
and I will answer any questions you have.

 

Dude, it's not what Hyundai "claims." Read the friggin' TSB. They are just
relaying the info from the ATF manufacturer.