I noticed that nobody here mentioned the color of the fluid. I heard that it was like a yellow color. So the first thing i did was to check the fluid in the tranny and the color of the fluid on the dipstick was like a light red like in my other vechicles. This is the original fluid that came with my cx-9
Final Word on Transmission Oil?
- Thread starter Pootie Tang
- Start date
Beyond buying OEM from Mazda the only relatively widely available correct ATF is Mobil ATF 3309. PERIOD. Everything else is experimentation.
http://avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html
http://avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html
- :
- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
OE ATF is not synthetic.
I have my local dealer flush it at 30K/45K/60K/... personal schedule.
It costs about $120 for me each time.
There is no schedule from Mazda to replace ATF. However, proceed at your own risk.
I don't believe in "life-time fluid" per se.
Here is why:
BMW was one of the first to "pioneer" life-time ATF.
BMW refused to change ATF for owners.
However, many owners faced transmission failure at 75K range.
I should know because my friend was one of them... he bought it
after I bought mine.
After a few years, BMW changed their minds. They allow owners to
change the ATF at about $300 with synthetic fluid. They even ask dealers to
"inspect" ATF at "Inspection II" schedule (which is about 60K to 75K depending on your
driving style). If you don't believe me, google "BMW E39 transmission failure"....
Anyway, the chance of transmission failure within the powertrain warranty period (60K)
is very low even if you don't change the ATF. However, the clock starts to tick after that.
If you plan to keep yours for 100K or more, I highly recommend changing the ATF at 30K intervals
(or less). If using synthetic, you might increase the intervals to 60K to be on the safe side.
I have my local dealer flush it at 30K/45K/60K/... personal schedule.
It costs about $120 for me each time.
There is no schedule from Mazda to replace ATF. However, proceed at your own risk.
I don't believe in "life-time fluid" per se.
Here is why:
BMW was one of the first to "pioneer" life-time ATF.
BMW refused to change ATF for owners.
However, many owners faced transmission failure at 75K range.
I should know because my friend was one of them... he bought it
after I bought mine.
After a few years, BMW changed their minds. They allow owners to
change the ATF at about $300 with synthetic fluid. They even ask dealers to
"inspect" ATF at "Inspection II" schedule (which is about 60K to 75K depending on your
driving style). If you don't believe me, google "BMW E39 transmission failure"....
Anyway, the chance of transmission failure within the powertrain warranty period (60K)
is very low even if you don't change the ATF. However, the clock starts to tick after that.
If you plan to keep yours for 100K or more, I highly recommend changing the ATF at 30K intervals
(or less). If using synthetic, you might increase the intervals to 60K to be on the safe side.
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Ceric you only pay 120 for the mazda dealer to do this service. Every mazda dealer that i called in new york is charging 200 bucks for the flush and replacment of all fluid. The mazda fluid is also very expensive here at 9.75 per one quart bottle. The toyota type 4 fluid here is 5.83 a bottle. Is the toyota type 4 fluid safe to use. That is what i really want to know? also has anybody here done a drain and replace of the fluid since you cannot change the filter. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
4wardmotion
Member
- :
- '08 CX-9 Sport AWD
I ended up buying a case of the Toyota Type-4 ATF for $57.00 when I was in NH a couple of weeks ago because they had the best price....and no tax. Unfortunately, I then couldn't find any dealer that was willing to use it....nobody wanted the liability of filling my Mazda tranny with oil that was clearly marked Toyota....even though I tried to convince them that it was the same fluid.
I ended up at a Mazda dealer today, again while working up in NH, and had the tranny flushed and filled, as well as the front and rear differentials drained and filled. I have nearly 85,000 miles on my '08 at this point and since I do mostly highway driving, I wasn't worried that I was waiting too long. After the service was complete, the tech showed me the old fluid and said it really didn't look that bad. So, I think I'm good for another 85K!!....but I'll likely have another vehicle before I get to that point.
It wasn't cheap, but this dealership was less expensive than most of the others I contacted....the entire bill was just under $350 and that included a $22 materials waste charge. They did charge me for 12 quarts of ATF fluid (I thought it only took 10) but I was surprised to see that they 'only' charged me $6/quart. So far so good....I drove about 120 miles home and it shifted as smooth as ever. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the flushing didn't dislodge any foreign material.
I ended up at a Mazda dealer today, again while working up in NH, and had the tranny flushed and filled, as well as the front and rear differentials drained and filled. I have nearly 85,000 miles on my '08 at this point and since I do mostly highway driving, I wasn't worried that I was waiting too long. After the service was complete, the tech showed me the old fluid and said it really didn't look that bad. So, I think I'm good for another 85K!!....but I'll likely have another vehicle before I get to that point.
It wasn't cheap, but this dealership was less expensive than most of the others I contacted....the entire bill was just under $350 and that included a $22 materials waste charge. They did charge me for 12 quarts of ATF fluid (I thought it only took 10) but I was surprised to see that they 'only' charged me $6/quart. So far so good....I drove about 120 miles home and it shifted as smooth as ever. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the flushing didn't dislodge any foreign material.
IslandTractor
Member
- :
- 2010 CX9 GT Silver/Blk
So you spent $350 for peace of mind but you are hoping the flush didn't do any damage? And the mechanic showed you that the old fluid looked fine? And the Mazda manual just suggests topping off unless the fluid is "burnt"? Why did you bother?
4wardmotion
Member
- :
- '08 CX-9 Sport AWD
I don't remember seeing anything in my manual that discussed any maintenance on the tranny, but this is the first vehicle I plan to keep well beyond the 100K mark. Since it's more likely for issues to develop if I didn't do any maintenance, I wanted to service it now, rather than wait until I HAD to do it. I didn't say the mechanic said it looked fine, he said it didn't look that bad...it was dirty, I looked at it myself before I brought it in. Waiting until it smells burnt or is dark brown isn't a wise decision....damage could already be done at that point...hence the term; preventative maintenance.
So, yes.....for $350, I got some peace of mind that I shouldn't have to do this service again unless I plan to keep the vehicle beyond 150K.
- :
- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
Mazda's official attitude towards transmission fluid is "do it when needed". The "needed" part is
vague. Remember that powertrain warranty is only 5yr/60K miles. After that period, you are on
your own. Mazda (like all other automakers) could care less about you having to chip in $3000 for
a new tranny.
So, replacing fluid of tranny is optional. Unless you are such an expert in tranny fluid that you can
tell "when" the fluid needs replacement, I'd say do it at an interval that fits your budget.
For me, 30K miles seem cost-effective. (for flushing)
vague. Remember that powertrain warranty is only 5yr/60K miles. After that period, you are on
your own. Mazda (like all other automakers) could care less about you having to chip in $3000 for
a new tranny.
So, replacing fluid of tranny is optional. Unless you are such an expert in tranny fluid that you can
tell "when" the fluid needs replacement, I'd say do it at an interval that fits your budget.
For me, 30K miles seem cost-effective. (for flushing)
Merryfrankster
Member
- :
- I have 12 Proteges :)
Valvoline ATF Application Guide
In case anyone is interested, I am attaching the Valvoline ATF Application Guide (PDF). It lists the recommended ATF for many makes, models, and years. In case this upload does not work, you can also find it online at this location.
In case anyone is interested, I am attaching the Valvoline ATF Application Guide (PDF). It lists the recommended ATF for many makes, models, and years. In case this upload does not work, you can also find it online at this location.
