The Hyundai A6LF1 6-speed automatic transmission has been produced in South Korea since 2009 and is installed with 3.0- and 3.3-liter Lambda V6 gasoline engines. This transmission is familiar from the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe crossover, as well as the Grandeur and Cadenza sedans.
A6 family: A6GF1, A6MF1, A6MF2, A6LF1, A6LF2, A6LF3.
In 2009, a new line of 6-speed Hyundai automatic transmissions was introduced, including the A6LF1, designed for front- and all-wheel drive vehicles with 3.0- and 3.3-liter V6 engines. The design is typical of hydromechanical automatic transmissions: engine torque is transmitted via a torque converter, the gear ratio is selected using three planetary gear sets, a freewheel clutch, a parachute oil pump, and a valve body with 8 solenoids.
This automatic transmission has been upgraded several times throughout its production, and there are also different versions for sedans and crossovers. Keep this in mind when choosing a used transmission.
Specifications
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Type of drive | front / all wheel |
| Engine volume, l | up to 3.3 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 310 |
| Recommended oil | Hyundai ATF SP-IV |
| Oil capacity, liter | 7.8 |
| Partial replacement, liter | 5.0 |
| Maintenance | every 60 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~300 000 km |
Gear ratios Hyundai-Kia A6LF1
Using the 2017 Hyundai Grand Santa Fe with a 3.0-liter engine as an example:
| Main | 3.041 |
| 1st | 4.651 |
| 2nd | 2.831 |
| 3rd | 1.842 |
| 4th | 1.386 |
| 5th | 1.000 |
| 6th | 0.772 |
| Reverse | 3.393 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- Hyundai Grandeur 4 (TG) in 2009 – 2011; Grandeur 5 (HG) in 2011 – 2016; Grandeur 6 (IG) in 2016 – 2022;
- Hyundai Grand Santa Fe 1 (NC) in 2013 – 2020;
- Hyundai Santa Fe 2 (CM) in 2009 – 2012; Santa Fe 3 (DM) in 2012 – 2018;
- Kia Cadenza 1 (VG) in 2012 – 2016; Cadenza 2 (YG) in 2016 – 2021;
- Kia Sorento 2 (XM) in 2009 – 2014; Sorento 3 (UM) in 2014 – 2018;
- Kia Opirus 1 (GH) in 2009 – 2011.
Disadvantages of the Hyundai-Kia A6LF1 gearbox
- In the early years of this transmission’s production, the manufacturer released a number of new firmware updates to eliminate shift shocks, and in most cases, this helped. Also, the oil pump was initially mounted on a bushing, which would often spin when overheated.
- The most common transmission failure is loosening of the center pinion bolts, which can cause the Underdrive clutch pack to become warped and quickly burn out. If left unattended, the automatic transmission will grind itself until it seizes.
- This problem is usually found only on crossovers. When driving off-road, a very loud crunching sound can be heard from the differential due to the splines in its housing being stripped. This automatic transmission is simply designed for city driving and does not tolerate slippage.
- The automatic transmission’s valve body does not tolerate dirty oil, and if the lubricant is not regularly refreshed, its valves and passages will quickly become clogged, causing jerky shifts. The main contaminant of the lubricant is the torque converter lockup clutch.
- The electrical system also causes a lot of trouble: the solenoid wiring harness burns out, and the input and output speed and temperature sensors often fail due to contamination.
