How to Change the Transmission Fluid in a Kia Sportage

Park the Kia Sportage on a level surface and set the parking brake.

Position the jack under the front of the Kia Sportage and jack it up from the cross frame under the engine. Once the vehicle is high enough, place a safety stand under the frame on both sides of the Sportage. Slowly lower the Sportage to the top of the safety stands and leave the jack in the up position.

Slide under the driver side of the Kia Sportage near the driver-side door and locate the transmission drain plug on the bottom of the transmission pan. The drain plug requires a 24 mm socket to remove and tighten it.

Position the drip pan under the area of the of the drain plug. Loosen and remove the drain plug with the 1/2-inch drive ratchet and the 24 mm socket. Once all of the transmission fluid has drained into the drip pan, screw the drain plug back in and tighten down tight with the ratchet and socket.

Pull the drip pan out from under the Kia Sportage. Open the hood and remove the transmission dipstick from the dipstick tube. The transmission dipstick has the words "transmission" or "ATF" on the handle of the dipstick.

Slide the long neck funnel into the dipstick tube. Pour 3 qts. of the SP-3 automatic transmission fluid into the dipstick tube. Remove the funnel and slide the dipstick into the tube.

Crank the Kia Sportage and hold the brake pedal down. Shift the gear selector lever through all of the gears two or three times. Then, put the lever back into park. Let the engine run for about two minutes before checking the fluid level on the dipstick.

Pull the dipstick out with the engine still running. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. Three quarts of the transmission fluid should put the fluid level on the full mark on the dipstick. Slide the dipstick back into the tube and close the hood.

Turn the engine off. Jack the front of the Kia Sportage back up and remove the safety stands. Lower the Sprtage to the ground and remove the jack.