Guide ATF Drain/Fill

[resq302]

Hello, I just purchased a 2023 CX-5 for my daughter that has 19,000 miles. I did not see any mileage in the owners manual as to when to change the trans fluid. What is everyone changing their trans fluid at so I can set up a mileage to when to change the trans fluid in her car. I know it has low miles so I'm hoping it wouldnt need to be done for another 30k or so.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[wlong01]

Mazda does not recommend changing the fluid. They claim it's lifetime. If you plan on keeping the vehicle past the powertrain warranty I would do a change around 40,000.
Some Mazda dealers refuse to change the fluid.

 

[resq302]

Thank you. Yes, we plan on keeping this for quite a while as it is now my daughters car who will be commuting to college starting in August.

 

[resq302]

Mazda does not recommend changing the fluid. They claim it's lifetime. If you plan on keeping the vehicle past the powertrain warranty I would do a change around 40,000.
Some Mazda dealers refuse to change the fluid.

Funny that you mention that as my Ram manual says the fluid is for life also as well but the manufacturer, ZF, says it needs to be changed every 50,000 miles.

 

[wlong01]

I doubt there's a lifetime fluid. I think it's more a marketing gimmick. Prudent advice is to change it around 40-50k miles and a second time at the next oil change after that. Takes about 3 drain/fills to replace most of the old fluid.

 

[resq302]

I doubt there's a lifetime fluid. I think it's more a marketing gimmick. Prudent advice is to change it around 40-50k miles and a second time at the next oil change after that. Takes about 3 drain/fills to replace most of the old fluid.

Oh I agree completely! More than likely the trans will fail afford the powertrain warranty is up leaving the customer holding the bill.

 

[Buzzman12]

I got sucked into a transmission flush at a garage when they were changing my oil. The van (Ford Windstar) had about 110,000 Kms on it at the time. Transmission failed less than a month later.
In my 60 years of driving, that is the only transmission failure I have ever had. It's also the only vehicle where I did a flush/change. I never replace my transmission fluid in any other car, regardless of mileage or years. My tack on this may not work for you, but this whole thing of changing fluid at 30,000 miles is a bit ridiculous.

 

[resq302]

I got sucked into a transmission flush at a garage when they were changing my oil. The van (Ford Windstar) had about 110,000 Kms on it at the time. Transmission failed less than a month later.
In my 60 years of driving, that is the only transmission failure I have ever had. It's also the only vehicle where I did a flush/change. I never replace my transmission fluid in any other car, regardless of mileage or years. My tack on this may not work for you, but this whole thing of changing fluid at 30,000 miles is a bit ridiculous.

I’ve always changed the fluid and filter in my trans for the vehicle Les Ive owned. The only difference is I have never done a flush. Just a fluid drain and replacement. I’ve heard the flushing is what can mess stuff up.

 

[HyFlyer]

I would think the vast majority of Mazda owners do not change their transmission fluid in any way at any time. Or even check the fluid level. Yet, there does not seem to be any widespread grumblings out on the interwebs about skyactiv transmission failures. I'm sure some do fail, it's a machine after all, but not a concern of mine. IMHO.

Nothing wrong with a drain and fill, if it makes you feel better and it probably is "better" for the transmission, even if unnecessary.

 

[Buzzman12]

I have never done a flush. Just a fluid drain and replacement. I’ve heard the flushing is what can mess stuff up.

I can support that for sure.
Flushing just recirculates all the oil throughout the transmission, garbage and all. That's probably what killed the tranny in my Ford.
I would go a step further and say never flush a tranny, ever. Drain and fill only.

 

[Chas]

Mazda does not recommend changing the fluid. They claim it's lifetime. If you plan on keeping the vehicle past the powertrain warranty I would do a change around 40,000.
Some Mazda dealers refuse to change the fluid.

We found the same thing. Our 2014 CX5 GT bought in 2013 has had no issues.

 

[Jmaz]

I can support that for sure.
Flushing just recirculates all the oil throughout the transmission, garbage and all. That's probably what killed the tranny in my Ford.
I would go a step further and say never flush a tranny, ever. Drain and fill only.

Absolutely, drain and fill only. The "lifetime" fluid is BS in my book for long term owners. In fact, doesn't Mazda recommend AGAINST transmission flush?

 

[macker]

I really don't understand how any lubricant can be lifetime. To me, changing the various fluids is cheap insurance, to help extend the life of the drive train/components (expensive).

The CX-5 isn't a a Shelby GT500, but it still puts the lubricants under tremendous heat/cold cycles wearing down the lubricant properties.

I"ll be doing the drain/fill on my tranny fluid soon. (almost 90K kms.)

 

[BoomerZoomr]

Mazda's idea of a "lifetime" is probably half what a customer would hope to get out of a transmission. I have heard bad things on YouTube videos about transmission flushes. The most I would do is a traditional service/filter change.
Due to my lack of confidence in today’s shop technicians… I had a 2012 V6 RAV4 with 65K miles on it, I had them do a drain and refill without pulling the transmission pan. It took about 4 quarts to top it back off. No problems before or after.

 

[N7turbo]

I have heard bad things on YouTube videos about transmission flushes. The most I would do is a traditional service/filter change.

I have heard bad things but that was from before the days of YouTube.

Recently, my fears have been alleviated.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

@N7turbo Currently I have two vehicles, both Mazdas. I will probably be using the dealership for maintenance/repairs. For many years I had a good independent repair shop I could trust. The guy who owned and ran it, I had known since I was a teenager. But he is getting close to retirement and is bringing a bunch of new people in to handle the shop, and things started to fall through the cracks. The trick is finding a shop with competent mechanics. If you expect your vehicle to go 200K miles, I definitely believe in changing all fluids periodically. I am retired, recently bought a 2025 Mazda, and only drive about 3K miles a year. My transmission fluid might really be "lifetime".