What exactly is the required transmission service fluid change? In everyone's opinion? I have 53k on this CX-5.
"lifetime" = Factory warranty
Thank you, Ruth, and Sm1ke. I think that is solid advice on the transmission and brake fluids.I’m happy changing the transmission fluid on my ‘13 CX-5 at 50k intervals based on my Blackstone report (you might have seen it under the separate ATF thread). Brake fluid is easier to determine: It should be changed based on water content, not mileage or appearance. You can buy a brake fluid tester on Amazon pretty cheaply. If it reads 2-3% water or greater you can change the brake fluid.
I don’t have a solid opinion on rear differential though. My ‘19 RAV4 is my first AWD vehicle and I’m going to follow whatever the severe service guideline is for that. My RAV4 also claims lifetime fluid for transmission and rear differential under “normal” use, but like 50 or 60k for severe service. We’ve got some big hills where I live and we often take gravel roads for weekend hikes so I’ll follow the severe schedule for peace of mind.
ATF change interval is decided by your own as different people have different opinion. Most people would agree that you’ll have more risk introducing problems changing the ATF after 100K miles, especially by ATF flush machine instead of drain-and-fill. Luckily Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic can only do drain-and-fill unless the shop has hard-to-find special adapter to do the ATF flush.I'm also wondering about the change intervals for the transmission fluid, as well as the brake fluid and rear differential/transfer case fluids. Neither the 2015 manual nor the 2020 manual specify any sort of change interval, other than 'change the rear differential / transfer case oils if the car is submerged in water'.
2015 CX-5 Touring with 113K miles has reliable SkyActiv-G 2.5L, but 2020 CX-5 GT with PP and 35 miles has a cylinder-deactivation-equipped SkyActiv-G 2.5L. Based on history CD is problematic for the long term, and there’s already a recall on the CD.My 2015 CX-5 (Touring) had almost 113K miles on it (almost 6 years old) before we traded it in very recently due to the passenger side curtain airbag deploying unexpectedly (front wheel hit curb after slipping on ice in neighborhood, no impact whatsoever to the body). We had been planning to keep it much longer, but we now have a 2020 CX-5 GT w/PP (35 miles, so new), which I absolutely love.
Most of time you can’t tell the fluid quality just by looking. You can check the moisture level on brake fluid to decide if you need to change the fluid. On ATF a used ATF analysis is needed to tell if the ATF has lost its service life. I have doubts that your trusted mechanic actually checked the moisture level on brake fluid, and took time to access the ATF dipstick and actually “looked” the fluid.On my 2015, I had the rear differential fluid changed at 41,211 miles by the dealership, and again at 100,636 miles by my trusted independent mechanic. This same mechanic looked at the brake fluid and transmission fluid, stated they both looked great, and recommended I get them changed at 120K miles.
There’s a reason why a lot more Nissan Rogues than Mazda CX-5 sold in the US.On the other hand, my husband last year purchased a used 2015 Nissan Rogue with 108K miles on it, which had never had the "lifetime" transmission fluid changed, and 3 weeks later it had a catastrophic transmission failure. (CVT; we knew the reputation for Nissan CVTs and their so-called "lifetime" transmission fluid going into the sale, but my husband really liked the Rogue)
Sometimes too much information is not a good thing.So, I think the Mazda has a much better track record, but I'm still a little leary of trusting manufacturer recommendations for "lifetime" fluids. I did read the thread on analysis of the Mazda transmission fluid, which was very helpful.
I personally will change (drain-and-fill) the ATF at 50K ~ 60K miles. I’m still debating if I want to take the ATF pan down、clean up the sludge on the magnetic、and replace the filter cartridge.So, do you have any solid opinions on the "lifetime" durability of the rear differential fluid, brake fluid, and/or transmission fluid, or links to appropriate threads? Thank you.
ATF change interval is decided by your own as different people have different opinion. Most people would agree that you’ll have more risk introducing problems changing the ATF after 100K miles, especially by ATF flush machine instead of drain-and-fill. Luckily Mazda’s SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic can only do drain-and-fill unless the shop has hard-to-find special adapter to do the ATF flush.
2015 CX-5 Touring with 113K miles has reliable SkyActiv-G 2.5L, but 2020 CX-5 GT with PP and 35 miles has a cylinder-deactivation-equipped SkyActiv-G 2.5L. Based on history CD is problematic for the long term, and there’s already a recall on the CD.
1. I had no way of knowing if any of the remaining airbags were still functional.Wonder why you decided to trade in the 2015 CX-5 only because the side curtain airbag deployed?
And what would that reason be?There’s a reason why a lot more Nissan Rogues than Mazda CX-5 sold in the US.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on the change interval.I personally will change (drain-and-fill) the ATF at 50K ~ 60K miles. I’m still debating if I want to take the ATF pan down、clean up the sludge on the magnetic、and replace the filter cartridge.
Although your husband really liked the Nissan Rogue, I’m personally not interested in Rogue mainly on reliability concerns. The reasons why a lot more Rogues sold in the US, IMO, are lower selling price、bigger interior、more features (such as individual tire pressure display right in the dash)、and available 3rd-row seating.And what would that reason be?
Thank you for clarifying. That makes sense. To each his/her own.Although your husband really liked the Nissan Rogue, I’m personally not interested in Rogue mainly on reliability concerns. The reasons why a lot more Rogues sold in the US, IMO, are lower selling price、bigger interior、more features (such as individual tire pressure display right in the dash)、and available 3rd-row seating.