Seeking advice for keeping aging CX-5

[SparkYellow]

I recently refreshed these three fluids on my 2017 CX-3 AWD with 155K miles. The transfer case is in the front, differential is in the rear. A clean drain (having waited for the dripping to stop) of the transmission fluid got slightly over 3 quarts out. I filled with 3.2 quarts of fresh AISIN FZ from RockAuto. Did three rounds of drain-fill while waiting for result of the sample analysis. For the other two fluids I used Redline 80w90. Bought two bottles and used more than one after spilling some.

I definitely expect a modern Mazda to last longer than my 2011 MINI (currently 202K miles.)

 

[7eregrine]

Regarding manufacturer suggestion not to service your transmission. What do people do when their transmissions act up? Bring it to the dealer. What does the dealer say? thousands of dollars for a new transmission.

They pull yours out, refurbish it, swap another refurbished transmission in from another unsuspecting customer, make thousands of dollars off their "recommendation."
*shortened for brevity*

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

 

[Lazy2.5]

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

Feel free to disagree, obviously or not.

Literally the only time I have ever seen a transmission not experience serious wear or outright failure after 200,000KM on the original fluid is the Skyactiv's.

 

[SparkYellow]

Differentials I am comfortable doing myself, just not sure how to get rid of the used oil. The transmission I would defer to the dealer I think, but hopefully they are thorough as I know to properly clean the pan/magnet and put new seals is a bit involved.

There isn't much oil from the differential and transfer case. It was about a quart for my CX-3, maybe a bit more for your CX-5. Your local auto parts stores will gladly accept used fluids. In my area, one store will accept up to 5 quarts per customer per day. They take my jugs, dump the contents into their barrels, and return the almost empty jugs to me. I then empty the jugs some more at home before tossing them in the garbage.

The local recycling center will accept them in jugs. I accumulated about 15 gallon-jugs over the last few years and just got rid of them.

 

[madar]

Definition of "lifetime"

and:

 

[racecar68dad]

Hello I'm new here. Have a 2015 CX5 176K on the clock. I just put some money into it (new control arms, radiator, starter, plugs, tires, and fixed an exhaust leak. I am hoping I can drive this to 250K. The engine and transmission are still smooth and strong and it honestly still feels like the day I bought it (CPO with 26K)

Do I have too much faith, I know some drive for quite a whiles. reports of over 300K on some.

I live in New England so rusting is problematic when I do my own repairs - but I manage. I don't beat on it, I use Mobile 1 synthetic high mileage oil and filters changing every 7K or so.

My concern is I haven't really followed the service manual or used the dealership. So I have possibly missed some key things. I have a K & M air filter installed. I also just recently changed the MAF sensor as I accidentally gunked it up with the air filter oil by applying too much. I picked one from a salvage yard and that fixed my CEL, it was very clean and no issues running it so I believe its fine. I also cleaned the throttle body at the same time.

I am wondering what else I should consider as a preventative? I am thinking the differential fluids at a minimum should be done soon as they have never been changed. If you were me, what would you recommend if planning to keep this vehicle alive?

Side note, shopping for a car for my wife. We tested a 2023 CX-50 today, the nicest trim. I liked it but it you could definitely feel the wheels and the interior felt tight as in you are close to the dashboard, cup holder in an odd spot. The turbo felt nice though! We have a hold on a 21' Tiguan which drove very nice but VW gives me pause in general, I got comfortable with it but the wife got cold feet as I was researching different issues. She seems to have her heart on a newer Forester, but in my mind Subaru has also gone downhill. I'm regretting not trying a newer model CX-5 while were at the dealer. She really loved the CX-70 for all the wrong reasons (paint color, LOL) but that just looked huge to me in the showroom which isn't my speed. Not to mention that's not really in our budget, the CX 70.

I am glad to have found this forum, it will be a helpful resource for me moving forward to hopefully keep my CX-5 going for another 2-3 years.

TY

My 2015 CX5 has 176K I have dropped the pan at 50,00 mile intervals. New filter at 100k. OEM fluid, even at 14 bucks a quart!. It takes 4+ QTS. I have noticed no difference in performance. At 100k I serviced everything, QEM coolant, brake fluid flush, Plugs, All gear boxes with Amsoil fluids. I expect to go to 300k.

 

[hxdai]

Just did transmission drain/fill at 96k at dealer(gasp), maybe when I get to 150k I'll find a specialty shop for a full drop. bought OEM gear oils and going to do rear diff/transfer case myself.

Good point on the shock mount: same new england car, my rear-right mount has a chunk broken off and the yellow bumper dropped out of the mount. I'm changing that before winter.

 

[Moonlighter]

Our Mazda dealers here, my local in particular, have been pretty darn good and generally reliable. So I am happy to continue to use them for the regular servicing my CX5.

That said, were I to want a transmission service I would likely get a detailed quote from the dealer and then get another one from a local auto transmission specialist, we have a couple in our area that have good reputations. One of them fixed my sons Honda Jazz CVT (called a Fit in other markets I think) when it had the well known “Jazz judder” that Honda couldnt fix after 3 attempts.

And to be honest, I would never have one of those oil soaked air filters on any car of mine. As you found out they will easily mess up MAP sensors, they clog up too easily if the car gets driven on dusty roads, and overall, the car is much better off with the factory fitting and a good quality paper filter. They do good marketing though…. LOL!

I have always believed that oil is the lifeblood of engines. So for decades now I have always changed the oil and filter in my family’s cars at half the recommended interval. Small cost when you do it youself, and gives me a chance to get under the car for a general looksee.

I use the same good quality oil every change, and supply the dealer with a jug of it when the car goes in for a dealer service. And ask for the leftover to be returned to me so I know they used it.

If the brake fluid has never been changed, thats well and truly overdue too.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Our Mazda dealers here, my local in particular, have been pretty darn good and generally reliable. So I am happy to continue to use them for the regular servicing my CX5.

That said, were I to want a transmission service I would likely get a detailed quote from the dealer and then get another one from a local auto transmission specialist, we have a couple in our area that have good reputations. One of them fixed my sons Honda Jazz CVT (called a Fit in other markets I think) when it had the well known “Jazz judder” that Honda couldnt fix after 3 attempts.

And to be honest, I would never have one of those oil soaked air filters on any car of mine. As you found out they will easily mess up MAP sensors, they clog up too easily if the car gets driven on dusty roads, and overall, the car is much better off with the factory fitting and a good quality paper filter. They do good marketing though…. LOL!

I have always believed that oil is the lifeblood of engines. So for decades now I have always changed the oil and filter in my family’s cars at half the recommended interval. Small cost when you do it youself, and gives me a chance to get under the car for a general looksee.

I use the same good quality oil every change, and supply the dealer with a jug of it when the car goes in for a dealer service. And ask for the leftover to be returned to me so I know they used it.

If the brake fluid has never been changed, thats well and truly overdue too.

I go for 5000-7000km between oil changes. I regularly monitor the oil's colour and smell to determine. Lately, I find I can go closer to 7000km without issue, likely due to reduced short trips and warmer weather. (Temperature drops generously and stays low for months here in Canada, really takes a toll on the drivetrains here.)

 

[theblooms]

No, neither has been changed.

Get on that. They're easy. And for the ATF, you'll need to drop the pan, clean the magnet, and change the filter.