How often to replace manual tranny fluid?

Tedster

Member
:
2001 Mazda Protege ES
So i have an 01 Protege and got it 4 years ago, had 135k miles on it, now has close to 180k and I've never replaced the tranny fluid on it, and don't know if the person before me did either. How often should it be done? And what kind of fluid? Is going to the dealer the best choice?
Thanks.
 
a. Can't remember the interval, but check your owner's manual.
b. I use 75W-90 gear oil, Mobil 1 synthetic.
c. Going to the dealer is always the worst choice. Go to a trusted independent mechanic, or do it yourself. It should cost no more than 30min of labor + the cost of fluid, so maybe $40 + $25 = $65.
 
Dealerships tend to charge ridiculous amounts of money compared to independent mechanics. And from all the data I've read, they are actually less trustworthy and competent, and they have lower customer satisfaction. This is, assuming, you have a good mechanic you go to. Call the dealer for a price, then call a few independent shops and see.

I take my car to an independent Mazda mechanic (who specializes in Miatas)--he's cheaper than the dealer and I trust him a lot more.

I take
 
I see yea they are way more expensive. I've had tranny fluid changed in other Mazdas at the dealer and after that it wouldnt shift really easily into 1st at all... they probably used the wrong kinda oil.
So when is the interval for the tranny fluid for the Protege? I really cant find it...
Thanks.
 
Reason I will never go to a dealer and why i choose to start doing all my own work. Local mazda dealer here, replaced the engine after it was hydrolocked. They forgot to put fluid back into the tranny when they were done, I drove it home, before it started to mess up. Brought it back, and they denied that they did it, even though everything was on the invoice for work, including little things like a new washer for the oil drain plug on the motor. Yest it lacked 75w90 tranny fluid on the invoice. SO they filled it and charged me for it, and said it will be fine. 2 Months Later the tranny's bearings basically disappeared and I replaced the tranny with a friend, now that was a few years ago, I do all my own work.

As for interval. I am weird and do transmission fluid changes every 4 oil changes, so 12k miles or so. Not sure if its longer or shorter then manufacturer says, but I feel good about it then.

Changing fluid:
Tools:
Adjustable Wrench, or socket and ratchet the size for the drain plug
Oil Catch Pan
3qts of 75w90 Fluid
Funnel with a flexible hose on the end about 1 1/2-2ft in length
New washers and or drain plugs with washers

Steps:
1. Place car on jack stands in the front.
2. From top, remove the tranny fill plug, located slightly below the reverse light switch(which is screwed into the tranny and has two wires coming off it)
3. Roll/Crawl/reach under car and find the transmission drain plug. It is on the very bottom of the tranny, its 19mm or something large like that.
4. Remove it, let the fluid drain into pan(just like an oil change for the motor). Once it stops
5. Replace drain plug with new washer.
6. Bring car down off the jackstands/ramps so it is level.
7. Now insert end of hose that is attached to the funnel into the fill hole.
8. Bending, but making sure not to fully crease the hose, bring the funnel up top, so it sits by the motor and radiator.
9. Pour fluid into the funnel, Slowly. Until all 3 qts have gone in, or the fluid starts to spill out the fill hole.
10. To check the level stick your pinky into the fill hole and u should be able to touch the top of the fluid, if not, fill it with more until you can.
11. Replace fill plug with new washer.
12. Go for a short drive, shifting easy, and being easy on the clutch. Return home, and check for leaks, and check to make sure all the plugs are tight.
13. Pat yourself on the back.
 
Last edited:
So the manual tranny has a fill plug at the top? Hm i havent noticed it... i'll look better. So is it more towards the left or right as you're looking into the engine?
 
Changing fluid:
Tools:
Adjustable Wrench, or socket and ratchet the size for the drain plug
Oil Catch Pan
3qts of 75w90 Fluid
Funnel with a flexible hose on the end about 1 1/2-2ft in length
New washers and or drain plugs with washers

Steps:
1. Place car on jack stands in the front.
2. From top, remove the tranny fill plug, located slightly below the reverse light switch(which is screwed into the tranny and has two wires coming off it)
3. Roll/Crawl/reach under car and find the transmission drain plug. It is on the very bottom of the tranny, its 19mm or something large like that.
4. Remove it, let the fluid drain into pan(just like an oil change for the motor). Once it stops
5. Replace drain plug with new washer.
6. Bring car down off the jackstands/ramps so it is level.
7. Now insert end of hose that is attached to the funnel into the fill hole.
8. Bending, but making sure not to fully crease the hose, bring the funnel up top, so it sits by the motor and radiator.
9. Pour fluid into the funnel, Slowly. Until all 3 qts have gone in, or the fluid starts to spill out the fill hole.
10. To check the level stick your pinky into the fill hole and u should be able to touch the top of the fluid, if not, fill it with more until you can.
11. Replace fill plug with new washer.
12. Go for a short drive, shifting easy, and being easy on the clutch. Return home, and check for leaks, and check to make sure all the plugs are tight.
13. Pat yourself on the back.
Wow!!
Seems really easy...
Any Idea what size washers I need to replace the ones on the plugs with?
Lock Washers or flat washers?
I am looking at Royal Purple Synthetic Fluid... anyone have any thoughts on that?
 
So the manual tranny has a fill plug at the top? Hm i havent noticed it... i'll look better. So is it more towards the left or right as you're looking into the engine?

its not on top, but its above the drain plug, its actually on the side of the tranny, facing the radiator, kind of near the reverse switch.

As for washers, I am not sure, I just bought new drain plugs w/ washers last time. I had my friend at advance just look up what plug i needed. They were flat washers though.
 
its not on top, but its above the drain plug, its actually on the side of the tranny, facing the radiator, kind of near the reverse switch.
As for washers, I am not sure, I just bought new drain plugs w/ washers last time. I had my friend at advance just look up what plug i needed. They were flat washers though.
Excellent...
My car is waaaayyyy over due for a Fluid Swap... should be my next little project along with my Factory Fogs I just picked up :)
 
Does anyone have a pic of where the fill and drain plugs are on the manual tranny? I think i see the drain plug at the bottom but not really the fill...
Thanks.
 
Hm yea those pics suck again, cant tell where the plug is still... need real pic... :)

And also do i need one of those long funnels to pour in the new oil?
 
Last edited:
dont you have to change an oil filter too?? I remember reading a thread where they sugested that the tranny oil filter had to be replaced when changing the tranny oil.
 
got a pic of the fill hole for you this is looking at it from the front sorry it is hard to see the rectangles
magenta=drain plug
blue=fill hole
green=reverse switch (probably not posative but goin on what iukekiniprotege said it seems to fit)
hope this helps
 

Attachments

  • fill hole.webp
    fill hole.webp
    410.6 KB · Views: 192
Anyone got any enlightenment on draining the fluid?
Someone told me that the right way to do it is to suck it out...
Not sure how that would be done... but apparently if you want all the fluid out the best way is to suck it...
 
i wouldnt worry about that just do it like an oil change. Open the plug and let it drain.
 
i wouldnt worry about that just do it like an oil change. Open the plug and let it drain.
Even if you have to do it two or three times to flush out the old fluid it would be better than nothing...
Does anyone happen to know what Mazda Calls for in our trannies?
Should I use a specific 75w90 fluid? Am I ok with using Castrol Synthetic?
 
in the manual i have for 1990-2000 proteges it calls for 75w-80. so thats what i used
 
Back