Alternative transmission Fluid?

[El Guaraguao]

I recently got laid off from my job and cant afford to spend a fortune on getting my transmission fluid flushed by the stealership. I own a 02 Diamante VR-X with the transmission on fail safe mode (stuck in 3rd gear to prevent damage) I just want to know if there is an alternate "cheaper" fluid I can use rather than spending 6-7 bucks a liter on the fluid.

 

[Vette73]

Look for a fluid that meets the specs of Mercon V and ATF+4. If it meets the specs for both of those then you can use it.

 

[LTC8K6]

Wal-Mart's supertech brand has an ATF+4 version I believe.

 

[T2urtle]

you can buy kia fluid, kia, huyndai and mitsu all use the same fluids.

my gf's 03 lancer need SP-III and i got the kia version for about $5 a bottle,

if your car is stuck in fail safe mode i would think its going to require more then ATF flush.

i've look around and couldn't find any other SP-III, people confuse SP-III with +3 and tell you dextron +3 and all that stuff. the smell alone is completely different

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Wal-Mart's supertech brand has an ATF+4 version I believe.

He's not looking for ATF+4.

 

[LTC8K6]

See second post.

 

[thecritic]

Lubrizol is one of the largest additive suppliers on the market and their multi-vehicle additive system has been on the market for several years now. While the additive package lacks OEM approval and has not gone through the same amount of testing as an approved fluid, there have not been any reported problems with their multi-vehicle additive package.

http://www.lubrizol.com/produc...Fproductspotlights.asp

Their multi-vehicle additive package is used by many blenders, such as Valvoline and Castrol. Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF and Valvoline Maxlife ATF both carry SP-III compatibility and should work fine in your transmission. Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF seems to work well with the Hyundais requiring SP-III, from what I've heard. You can get it at your local auto parts store for about $4/qt.

 

[Aimster]

Changing your fluid is not going to fix your transmission

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Changing your fluid is not going to fix your transmission

Yes, that's what I forgot to add. Chances are, the problem is not fluid related. Your best option at this point is to have the problem diagnosed by a trained technician.