How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Kia Spectra

You should change the automatic transmission fluid in your Kia Spectra every 30,000 miles if it is driven under normal conditions. The frequency increases to every 15,000 miles if you tow items, such as a boat or trailer.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Adjustable wrench
• Empty container
• 6mm hex socket
• 18mm box end socket
• Filter
• Gasket
• Funnel
• Automatic transmission fluid

Instructions

Drain the Automatic Transmission Fluid

1. Start your Kia Spectra and drive it for ten minutes to warm up the transmission fluid. Park on a level spot. Turn off the engine. Engage the emergency parking brake. Open the hood and secure it using the safety bar.

2. Check the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) level and quality. The dipstick is located toward the rear of the engine. It is marked ATF Engine Oil. Pull this dipstick out. Wipe it off with a clean paper towel. Look at the fluid on the paper towel. Fresh transmission fluid is translucent red. Transmission fluid needs to be replaced if it is brown. Replace the dipstick. Remove it again and look at the level. It should be between the MIN and MAX lines. On some models, there is no dipstick. This is called a closed system. In this case, you will have to proceed with changing the ATF without checking the level and quality.

3. Lift the front of your vehicle up with a floor jack. Use jack stands placed under the lift notch about six inches behind the front wheel well on either side of the vehicle. Lock the jack stands in place by lowering the security bar.

4. Remove the fluid line that connects the transmission to the radiator by loosening the clamp with an adjustable wrench and then pulling on the line gently. The ATF will be hot, so be careful that you don't burn yourself. The transmission is attached to the dipstick well. Place the open end of this line into an empty container, such as an engine oil drain pan.

5. Start the engine. The ATF will begin to pump out of the line. Watch the ATF line for the ATF to stop flowing. Turn off the engine as soon as the flow of ATF stops. Reattach the line to the transmission.

Change the Filter

1. Take off the drain pan. You will have to get under the vehicle to do this. Directly under the transmission, there is a solid plate with bolts all around the edges. Remove the bolts using a 6mm hex socket. Some additional ATF may spill when you do this. Remember that it will be hot. Peel the gasket from the rim of the drain pan.

2. Clean the bottom of the drain pan with a clean paper towel. If it is really dirty, you may need to pour a little transmission fluid on it to help remove some of the sludge. Using water to clean the pan is a bad idea as water will damage the transmission.

3. Find the 18mm lock nut on the bottom of the transmission filter. This is located in opening which became visible when you removed the drain pan. Remove the lock nut using 18mm box end socket. Pull the filter down to remove it.

4. Slide a new filter into the filter port. Tighten the lock nut until it is secure.

5. Put a new gasket on the drain pan and then position the drain pan on the transmission so you can replace the bolts. Tighten these by hand until all of the bolts are holding the drain pan. Moving in criss-cross pattern, tighten the bolts using the 6mm hex socket until they are secure. Keep in mind that over tightening will dent the drain pain.

6. Lower the vehicle by removing the jack stands and lowering the floor jack.

Refill the Transmission Fluid

1. Find the Engine specification sticker on the interior of the hood for the ATF specifications and check the ATF specifications. The sticker should tell you the type of ATF and the amount needed for your vehicle. This varies according to manufacture year and engine size. If you are unable to find the sticker, the information is also in the owner's manual.

2. Locate the ATF fill port. This is located beside the dipstick. Remove the black cap marked ATF or Transmission Engine Oil.

3. Place a funnel in the fill port. Pour the appropriate amount of ATF into the funnel. Check the level again. If it is low, add a little more ATF and recheck.

4. Replace the black cap and tighten it. Close the hood. Start the vehicle and allow it to idle for ten minutes to circulate the ATF.

Tips & Warnings

• If the ATF is below the MIN line when you check it, there is a leak in the system. You must have the system serviced before you change the fluid.

Resources

• This website has detailed list of ATF abbreviations.