FWD & AWD Differntial Gear Oil

[Lbear]

I have the AWD and about 6,500 miles on the vehicle. I changed the front and rear differential fluid. It was NASTY and the differential plug magnet had above 1/4" of metal shavings stuck on it. New differential clutch packs & plates dump tons of metal shavings and debris as they wear-in and develop a wear pattern for the life of the unit.

I would HIGHLY recommend changing the fluid out before 10,000 miles, especially if you tow, go off-road, climb grades, or carry 3 passengers. It's cheap and fast. $12.00 for the 1 qt bottle + $8.00 to get 4 drain plugs + your time. So $20.00 vs $1,500 for a new differential plus install labor of $500 (when out of warranty) or $2,000 for a new unit.

Here is what my fluid looked like at 6,500 miles

 

[Lbear]

So do the FWD versions have a front differential? Or is it just part of the transmission case with no external differential like in the AWD versions?

 

[CX5_Pete]

on most FWD vehicles the diff and tranny are housed as one unit. Unless if you own an Acura Legend. It had a longitudinal v6 that was FWD. The FWD CX-5 doesn't have a clutch inside the diff as far as I know, so it there isn't much to contaminate the oil. There might be wear materials but I am confident the magnetic plug will catch it.

 

[Unobtanium]

Almost looks like it has water in it. Was that the front, or rear diff?

 

[Lbear]

Almost looks like it has water in it. Was that the front, or rear diff?

That was the rear but the front was similar, a little bit clearer for the front.

I never went underwater or through any deep puddles with the differential. Mainly dry and dusty with a few snow days. The fluid was consistent with gear oil, no water separation was observed.

 

[Lbear]

on most FWD vehicles the diff and tranny are housed as one unit. Unless if you own an Acura Legend. It had a longitudinal v6 that was FWD. The FWD CX-5 doesn't have a clutch inside the diff as far as I know, so it there isn't much to contaminate the oil. There might be wear materials but I am confident the magnetic plug will catch it.

So the FWD versions just have CV half shafts coming out of the transmission just like other FWD sedans.

Which is an interesting point since the normal FWD version might not be as "heavy duty" for the front drive axles since it is relying on the transmission drive axles and it doesn't have its own FWD differential transfer case like the AWD version has. A FWD differential transfer case is stronger and better than just a standard FWD auto trans. It can handle more power and puts down power to both front tires, not just the one wheel spin.

So another reason WHY one should get AWD It has a front differential case while the FWD version does not.

 

[caverunner17]

So the FWD versions just have CV half shafts coming out of the transmission just like other FWD sedans.

Which is an interesting point since the normal FWD version might not be as "heavy duty" for the front drive axles since it is relying on the transmission drive axles and it doesn't have its own FWD differential transfer case like the AWD version has. A FWD differential transfer case is stronger and better than just a standard FWD auto trans. It can handle more power and puts down power to both front tires, not just the one wheel spin.

So another reason WHY one should get AWD It has a front differential case while the FWD version does not.

Wonder if the same is for the 6MT

 

[GP 2004]

I would HIGHLY recommend changing the fluid out before 10,000 miles, especially if you tow, go off-road, climb grades, or carry 3 passengers. It's cheap and fast. $12.00 for the 1 qt bottle + $8.00 to get 4 drain plugs + your time. So $20.00 vs $1,500 for a new differential plus install labor of $500 (when out of warranty) or $2,000 for a new unit.

Where did you get your plugs and oil?

 

[Lbear]

Where did you get your plugs and oil?

Oil via Amazon and plugs via Mazda dealership

 

[Anchorman]

So the FWD versions just have CV half shafts coming out of the transmission just like other FWD sedans.

Which is an interesting point since the normal FWD version might not be as "heavy duty" for the front drive axles since it is relying on the transmission drive axles and it doesn't have its own FWD differential transfer case like the AWD version has. A FWD differential transfer case is stronger and better than just a standard FWD auto trans. It can handle more power and puts down power to both front tires, not just the one wheel spin.

So another reason WHY one should get AWD It has a front differential case while the FWD version does not.

I'm completely baffled by this explanation. Can you run it by me again? I don't understand.

 

[Lbear]

I'm completely baffled by this explanation. Can you run it by me again? I don't understand.

A FWD (front wheel drive) CX5 does NOT have a front differential unit. What is has is probably some planetary gear that sits inside the automatic transmission.

The AWD CX5 has an actual front differential case and of course a rear differential.

The normal FWD version therefore is not as "heavy duty" since it is relying on the transmission drive axles and it doesn't have its own FWD differential transfer case like the AWD version has.

A differential transfer case is stronger and better. It can handle more power and puts down power to both front tires, not just the one wheel spin.

 

[CX5_Pete]

A FWD (front wheel drive) CX5 does NOT have a front differential unit. What is has is probably some planetary gear that sits inside the automatic transmission.

The AWD CX5 has an actual front differential case and of course a rear differential.

The normal FWD version therefore is not as "heavy duty" since it is relying on the transmission drive axles and it doesn't have its own FWD differential transfer case like the AWD version has.

A differential transfer case is stronger and better. It can handle more power and puts down power to both front tires, not just the one wheel spin.

The FWD does have a diff. Its just housed with the tranny, otherwise it would be almost impossible for the car to go in anything other than a straight line. It's why a FWD or sometimes Mid-Engine cars have "transaxles" instead of just a "transmission."

From Wikipedia:

"In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transaxle

 

[CX5_Pete]

I don't have the manual for the CX-5 for me at the moment, but here is a blow up of a typical FWD manual tranny set up.

 

[CX5_Pete]

Oil via Amazon and plugs via Mazda dealership

Why did you replace the plugs? Couldn't you just replace the washers?

 

[Lbear]

Why did you replace the plugs? Couldn't you just replace the washers?

Sorry, I meant washers...

 

[Lbear]

The FWD does have a diff. Its just housed with the tranny, otherwise it would be almost impossible for the car to go in anything other than a straight line. It's why a FWD or sometimes Mid-Engine cars have "transaxles" instead of just a "transmission."

From Wikipedia:

"In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transaxle

Which would be stronger or better, having a front differential that is housed in an aluminum case with differential fluid OR being housed inside of a transmission case?

 

[Bruns]

OMG, that looks horrible.
I definitely abuse my rear differential during winter.

I will talk to my dealer about changing the oil


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Bruns: Do you live in northern Japan? I notice there is a lot of snow there.

 

[Bruns]

Bruns: Do you live in northern Japan? I notice there is a lot of snow there.

Yes, I live in Hokkaido.
So we have massive amounts of snow up here, that's why I bought an AWD Mazda3.
I drift on a daily basis. Hahaha, so I will definitely look at doing a rear diff service.

https://youtu.be/5P_mrrfF0Hs

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Yes, I live in Hokkaido.
So we have massive amounts of snow up here, that's why I bought an AWD Mazda3.
I drift on a daily basis. Hahaha, so I will definitely look at doing a rear diff service.

https://youtu.be/5P_mrrfF0Hs

1.6 right?