# KIA Transmission fluid **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** optima, kia\ **Created:** [July 14, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379 "2009-07-14T02:24:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wrenchjockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/51bf81/32.png) [@wrenchjockey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wrenchjockey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/1 "2009-07-14T02:24:37Z")
Is there an alternate transmission fluid than qualifies for use in a Kia Optima other than the Kia dealership fluid? ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/2 "2009-07-14T02:51:43Z")
need model year. For 2004 and later, SPIII (which is also a Mitsubishi AT fluid spec) is required, for sure,according to the info I have. Found where 2003 model year requires SPIII in Spectras. ---
**Author:** ![wrenchjockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/51bf81/32.png) [@wrenchjockey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wrenchjockey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/3 "2009-07-14T02:57:45Z")
2008 Kia Optima ---
**Author:** ![oilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/91b2a8/32.png) [@oilman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oilman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 11:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/4 "2009-07-14T11:53:02Z")
not sure but I have a camry and accord. I use the castrol import trans fluid in my camry but haven’t for the accord but to top off when short on the honda fluid. I don’t know if the kia is listed on the back but it’s for most imports (not CVT’s though). take a look at the bottle and see if yours is listed. ---
**Author:** ![wrenchjockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/51bf81/32.png) [@wrenchjockey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wrenchjockey)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/5 "2009-07-14T15:47:59Z")
Thank you! I am doing some more research and if I find any new facts I will send them out. ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/6 "2009-07-14T17:35:41Z")
All I can say is read carefully on any fluid bottle/specification. Info I found shows that SPIII is sold pretty much only by Kia and Mitsubishi. Apparently the aftermarket folks have not gotten into the market for this fluid. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/7 "2009-07-15T04:44:58Z")
SP3 diamond or Hyundai or Kia are all one, but there is no generic out there as far as I know. The price varies a lot between Kia, Hyundai and MItsu dealers, so call around. Last year the price per qt around here was anywhere between 5 and 11 dollars. ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/8 "2009-07-15T13:21:42Z")
Castrol’s website now says that their Import Multivehicle fluid is formulated to meet Hyundai and Mitsu SPIII specs, but no mention of Kia, which I find weird. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/9 "2009-07-15T16:27:55Z")
This should be spelled out in your owners manual. It’ll probably say to use only Kia fluid or some equivalent. Check the owners manual. ---
**Author:** ![wrenchjockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/51bf81/32.png) [@wrenchjockey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wrenchjockey)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/10 "2009-07-17T03:12:58Z")
It says to use Kia fluid. But I went to the dealer today and had the flush done for $210.00. I thought that was to much, but what does a man do in his situation? To top it off, they said I needed fuel injectors cleaned and new antifreeze/coolant. I would not dare let them do that for their cost. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/11 "2009-07-17T13:35:01Z")
Find a good independent mechanic. This place is a rip-off. Fuel Injectors cleaner service is a sure sign. Unless your car was running very rough and didn’t accelerate well then your injectors are probably fine. AS for the tranny fluid. It may be a special type of filter by Kia…That doesn’t mean you have to buy it from the Kia dealer. There’s probably an equivalent out there by some oil company…check around. ---
**Author:** ![stevea722009](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@stevea722009](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stevea722009)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/kia-transmission-fluid/33379/12 "2018-04-21T21:51:57Z")
Yes, rockauto supplies the SP 111 fluid for the Kia for under six dollars a quart. I’ve used their site for the last 3 years with outstanding service with their parts and fluids. They sell everything specific to the vehicle you’re working on.