CX-7 Transmission fluid change…Should I?

[wincx7]

I have a 2010 Mazda CX 7 2.3 L. Presently I dont have any issue with my car. Doing change oil every 5,000 km. It has been great. However, it's mileage now is 160,000 km and Im not sure if I need to change the transmission oil. I recently checked the fluid level and it's still in a good amount of fluid. Im just trying to be pro active. Do I have to change the fluid even I dint have any issue in my transmission?

 

[theblooms]

I have been changing mine every 30,000 miles, with filter changes at 60,000.

 

[bzwyatt]

I also have drain/filled my transmission several times over the 155k miles my car has. Last time I mixed in some Valvoline MaxLife with the Mobil JWS3309 fluid. It has worked well in my '09 Pilot and fits the spec for the Mazda so I decided to try it. Transmission has always shifted great, the same now as when it was brand new.

 

[jegrant4]

I just purchased a 2012 CX-7 2.3L turbo and wondering the same thing. It is not mentioned in the maintenance schedule or the owner's manual. Mine is a little low and one quart of the JWS3309 is $20. Was considering changing it but it's pricey.

 

[bzwyatt]

I got this on Amazon

https://a.co/d/8p7L9KQ

And -

https://a.co/d/e50ccBc

I mixed in the VML to see if it seemed OK, figured if anything seemed less than ideal I could switch back to the 3309. But the VML is full synthetic, has lots of positive reviews and is cheaper. So I might just keep using it alone as I do drain/fills.

 

[jegrant4]

Thanks, how many quarts do you usually get out? Was thinking of buying this pack of 6 quarts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

 

[bzwyatt]

Yah that's what I got. It takes about 3 3/4 quarts to fill it after you drain it.

 

[jegrant4]

Do you need to replace the crush washer?

 

[theblooms]

NOT using Mazda ATF is a false economy. Sure, $18 for a quart of Mazda ATF x 4 plus the filter is $100. Not cheap. But you know what's SUPER not cheap? A $3,000 transmission.

Just use the stuff that your owner's manual tells you to use. Besides, you're only changing it every 30,000 miles, far less often than motor oil.

 

[Lazy2.5]

NOT using Mazda ATF is a false economy. Sure, $18 for a quart of Mazda ATF x 4 plus the filter is $100. Not cheap. But you know what's SUPER not cheap? A $3,000 transmission.

This fear mongering is simply unnecessary. You will not destroy your entire transmission from using non Mazda ATF.

 

[bzwyatt]

It isn't to save money, VML is a good fluid, full synthetic, has benefits that the oem may not have.

 

[jegrant4]

I ordered the Mobil ATF™ 3309. The product data sheet says, "Applications: Mobil ATF 3309 is recommended for use in transmissions requiring fluids of JWS 3309 or GM 9986195 quality levels." I asked my mechanic and he says if it's equivalent it's fine to use. Sorry for hijacking your thread OP.

​

 

[bzwyatt]

Yes if it meets the spec you're good.
I have used the mobil fluid and valvoline maxlife in my Mazda (and VML for longer in my Pilot) and they're good.

 

[Lazy2.5]

It isn't to save money, VML is a good fluid, full synthetic, has benefits that the oem may not have.

Trans fluid is trans fluid.

 

[Lazy2.5]

In short, absolutely always change the fluid and filter on time.

 

[theblooms]

Trans fluid is trans fluid.

I've read some really bad takes but this has got to be the worst. Wow. If that's true, just throw some $3 Type F in there and call it a day.

Oh wait, this whole TSB thing that Mazda put out that specifically says to not use multi-grade ATF, and to only use type M5. Just ignore that, amirite? Because obviously a keyboard warrior on the Internet is far, far smarter than the Engineers who designed our transmissions.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/SB-10097348-2532.pdf

 

[Antoine]

I've read some really bad takes but this has got to be the worst. Wow. If that's true, just throw some $3 Type F in there and call it a day.

Oh wait, this whole TSB thing that Mazda put out that specifically says to not use multi-grade ATF, and to only use type M5. Just ignore that, amirite? Because obviously a keyboard warrior on the Internet is far, far smarter than the Engineers who designed our transmissions.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/SB-10097348-2532.pdf

View attachment 333345

Being confrontational is no better (and will get you banned), please keep it friendly and informative. No need to be so sarcastic.

Thread Closed.