2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe uses hydraulic brake fluid that meets FMVSS 116 DOT 3 or DOT 4. The 2017 Santa Fe owner's manual lists a system capacity of 0.74 to 0.85 US quarts (0.7 to 0.8 liters). Hyundai's US normal maintenance schedule does not give a fixed replacement mileage: it calls for the brake fluid to be inspected every 30,000 miles or 24 months and replaced when inspection shows it is needed.

That last point is where most owners get confused, so this guide covers what the spec means, how to read the schedule, how to tell when the fluid is actually due, and what a leak on this generation can point to, including the ABS module recalls that affect many of these SUVs.

What Brake Fluid the 2013-2018 Santa Fe Takes

This generation of Santa Fe (Hyundai's DM platform, sold as the three-row Santa Fe and the two-row Santa Fe Sport) uses a conventional glycol-based hydraulic brake system with discs at all four corners, ABS and stability control. The owner's manual is specific about fluid: in the maintenance chapter it says to use only hydraulic brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or DOT 4 specification, and the lubricants table lists the brake fluid as FMVSS116 DOT-3 or DOT-4.

The capacity figure above comes from the 2017 three-row Santa Fe manual. If you drive a Santa Fe Sport, confirm the figure in your own manual, but the fluid specification is the same DOT 3 or DOT 4. In practice a full flush uses more fluid than the system holds because you push old fluid out of every caliper, so buy more than the capacity number.

DOT 3 or DOT 4: which should you pick?

Both are glycol-based and both are approved by Hyundai for this vehicle. The difference is heat tolerance. Federal standard FMVSS 116 sets these minimum boiling points:

The "wet" number is the boiling point after the fluid has absorbed moisture, which is what happens to every glycol fluid over time as it pulls water from the air. For a Santa Fe that tows, carries a full load of passengers, or lives in hilly country, DOT 4 gives you more margin. For normal commuting, either approved grade does the job. Do not use DOT 5: the standard defines it as a silicone-based fluid (dyed purple), and it is not what Hyundai specifies for this system. The manual also says never to mix different types of fluid, so if you are topping off and do not know what is in the reservoir, match what is there or do a complete flush.

How to Read Hyundai's Brake Fluid Schedule

In the US normal maintenance schedule for this generation, "Inspect brake fluid" appears at 30,000 miles or 24 months, 60,000 miles or 48 months, and every 30,000 miles after that. Hyundai defines "Inspect" as inspect and, if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace. There is no line that says "Replace brake fluid" at a set mileage.

The severe usage chart (towing, mountain driving, stop-and-go traffic, salted roads and similar conditions) tells you to inspect the front and rear brake discs, pads, calipers and parking brake more frequently, but it does not add a brake fluid replacement interval either.

So the honest answer to "what is the flush interval" is: Hyundai wants the fluid checked every two years or 30,000 miles, and replaced when that check says it is worn out. The practical way to do that check is below. If your fluid has never been tested and the vehicle is several years old, assume it is due.

How to Tell If Your Santa Fe's Brake Fluid Is Due

The owner's manual inspection itself is simple: the level should sit between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir. Beyond the level, a shop can judge fluid condition several ways:

• Test strips or a meter. Strips that read copper content in the fluid, or a boiling-point tester, give a direct answer instead of a guess.
• Color and clarity. New glycol fluid is clear to light amber. Dark, cloudy fluid or fluid with debris in the reservoir is due.
• Pedal feel. A soft or sinking pedal after long downhill runs or towing can mean moisture-laden fluid is boiling in the calipers. That is also a sign to inspect pads and hoses.
• Age with no records. If the fluid has never been changed on a vehicle this age, it has been absorbing moisture the whole time.

A low reservoir is a clue, not a fill-up job

Hyundai notes that the fluid level falls gradually with mileage as the pads wear, because the caliper pistons move outward and hold more fluid. That is normal. What is not normal is a level that keeps dropping: the manual says a vehicle that needs frequent additions of fluid should be inspected. Before you top off, look at pad thickness. If the pads are low and the reservoir is low, new pads will push the level back up, and overfilling now can overflow the reservoir later.

Leaks and the ABS Module Recalls on This Generation

This generation has several NHTSA safety recalls tied to the ABS module, the unit that holds the ABS valves and electronics. Check your VIN before you do any brake hydraulic work:

• 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport (NHTSA 20V-520, superseded by 21V-303, Hyundai campaigns 194 and 205): brake fluid may leak inside the ABS module, possibly causing an electrical short. Dealers replace the ABS multi-fuse and inspect and replace the module as necessary.
• 2016-2018 Santa Fe and 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport (NHTSA 22V-056, Hyundai campaign 218): the ABS module could malfunction and short, which could cause an engine compartment fire. Dealers replace the ABS multi-fuse as necessary. A 2018 Santa Fe Sport expansion followed as 22V-810 (campaign 237).
• 2013-2015 Santa Fe and 2013 Santa Fe Sport (NHTSA 23V-651, Hyundai campaign 251): the ABS module may leak brake fluid internally and short. Dealers replace the ABS fuse.

For each of these, NHTSA's recall records advise owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done, and the repair is free. A brake fluid level that drops with no visible wet spot at a caliper, hose or line fitting is exactly the case where you should confirm the recall work is complete. Warning lights for ABS or the brake system are another reason to get it checked, not to keep adding fluid.

Doing the Flush, and What to Replace at the Same Time

A brake fluid flush on this Santa Fe is a moderate job for a home mechanic with a helper or a pressure bleeder. Clean around the reservoir cap before opening it, as the manual instructs, so dirt does not fall into the system. Use fresh fluid from a sealed container; Hyundai warns against using fluid that has been exposed to open air for an extended time, because it will already have absorbed moisture. Keep fluid off the paint, since it will damage it, and off your skin and eyes.

Work from the wheel farthest from the master cylinder to the nearest, and keep the reservoir from running dry so you do not pull air into the ABS unit. If air does get into the ABS module, the shop may need a scan tool to cycle the valves while bleeding. Bleed-screw and caliper-bolt torque values are in the factory service information; use those rather than guessing.

A flush is a good time to handle the rest of the hydraulic and friction side:

• Pads and rotors. Hyundai's schedule inspects the front and rear disc pads and rotors every 15,000 miles. If they are near the limit, do them with the flush so you bleed once. We carry front ceramic brake pads for the 2013-2018 Santa Fe, plus a wider selection of replacement brake rotors and ceramic brake pads.
• Hoses. Hyundai calls for checking brake hoses and lines for chafing, cracks, deterioration and leakage and replacing damaged parts immediately. A cracked rubber hose is cheap insurance to replace while the system is open; see our brake hoses.
• Hardware. Seized slide pins cause uneven pad wear. A brake hardware kit refreshes the clips and pins.
• Parking brake. This generation uses a foot-operated parking brake pedal with cables. Hyundai's check is that the pedal travels 8 to 9 notches when pressed with 66 lb (30 kg) of force; if it falls outside that, it needs adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use DOT 4 in a Santa Fe that came with DOT 3?

Yes. Hyundai approves either DOT 3 or DOT 4 for the 2013-2018 Santa Fe. The manual says not to mix different fluid types, so the cleanest approach when switching to DOT 4 is a complete flush rather than topping off.

How often should I flush the brake fluid on a 2013-2018 Santa Fe?

Hyundai's US schedule calls for inspecting the fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months and replacing it if the inspection shows it is needed. Have it tested at each of those services; if it has never been changed on an older vehicle, plan on a flush.

How much brake fluid does a Santa Fe hold?

The 2017 Santa Fe owner's manual lists 0.74 to 0.85 US quarts (0.7 to 0.8 liters). A full flush uses more than that because you push fluid through each caliper until it runs clean, so buy extra.

Is DOT 5 brake fluid safe for my Santa Fe?

No. DOT 5 is silicone-based and is not the specified fluid for this vehicle. Stick with a glycol-based DOT 3 or DOT 4 as the manual requires.

Why does my Santa Fe keep losing brake fluid with no leak on the ground?

Some drop is normal as pads wear. A level that keeps falling needs an inspection. On this generation, check whether the ABS module recall for your model year has been completed, since several of those recalls involve brake fluid leaking inside the module.

Sources

1. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner's Manual (PDF) - DOT 3 or DOT 4 specification, 0.74-0.85 US qt capacity, normal and severe maintenance schedules
2. Hyundai Santa Fe DM 2013-2018 Owner's Manual: Normal maintenance schedule - brake fluid inspection every 30,000 miles or 24 months, hose and pad inspection intervals
3. Hyundai Santa Fe DM Owner's Manual: Brake fluid - checking the level, normal drop with pad wear, handling warnings
4. Hyundai Santa Fe DM Owner's Manual: Parking brake - foot-operated pedal, 8-9 notch stroke at 66 lb
5. 49 CFR 571.116, FMVSS No. 116 Motor vehicle brake fluids - DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 minimum dry and wet boiling points
6. NHTSA recall records, 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - recalls 20V-520 and 21V-303, internal ABS module brake fluid leak
7. NHTSA recall records, 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe - recall 22V-056, ABS module short, park outside advisory
8. NHTSA recall records, 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe - recall 23V-651, ABS fuse replacement