How do I refill/add transmission fluid?

[glkdcpg]

I have a 2007 Mazda5 with automatic transmission. I believe I have located the drain plug - facing rearward in what looks to be the pan on the left side of the vehicle, however I have not located the fill plug. Can anyone help me with this, I would be very grateful.

 

[CaptainSpalding]

Normally transmission fluid is added through the same tube that the ATF dip stick lives in, with the help of a funnel. The ATF level can be measured with the fluid cold or hot, but hot is better. The ATF dip stick is marked for both cold and hot ranges, so make sure you use the right marks. They want you to drain the fluid, replace the drain plug with a new washer, fill until the ATF is up to the lowest mark on the dipstick, start the car and heat up the ATF (directions say to measure the temperature with a thermometer that has a probe long enough to reach down through the dipstick tube) and once the fluid is warm, top up to the appropriate marks. I'd feel comfortable skipping the thermometer, but I'd check the level after a test drive of decent length. The reason they are so uppity about it is that transmission fluid changes volume with temperature, and being over- or under-filled is bad.

Some notes from the manual:

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) REPLACEMENT [FN4A-EL]

Warning
A hot transaxle and ATF can cause severe burns. Turn off the engine and wait until they are cool before replacing the ATF.​

1. Remove the oil dipstick.
2. Remove the oil drain plug and washer.
3. Drain the ATF into a container.
4. Install a new washer and the drain plug.

Tightening torque
29.441.2 Nm {3.04.2 kgfm, 21.730.3 ftlbf} ​

5. Add the specified ATF until ATF level reaches lower notch of dipstick type of ATF through the oil filler tube.

ATF
Type: ATF M-V or equivalent
Capacity (Approx. quantity): 7.2 L {7.6 US qt, 6.3 lmp qt}​

6. Ensure that the ATF level is in the HOT range (65 C {149 F}).
Add ATF to the specified level as necessary.

HTH

 

[glkdcpg]

Thanks, CaptSpalding, for the info. I have come to realize that manual transmissions are filled through a fill hole and that automatics are filled via the dip stick tube. This is embarrassing but after draining the transmission fluid instead of the oil (in the dark in a cold rain to make matters much worse), I was feeling rather gun shy and wanted to confirm that the ATF is added through the dip stick tube. So thanks, now both the oil and the transmission fluid are fresh and I'm back on the road.

 

[KBrian]

Thanks for sharing, glkdcpg. I'm sure we all have done foolish things with/to our cars, but not many of us admit to said deeds in a public forum.

Whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

 

[CaptainSpalding]

Thanks for sharing, glkdcpg. I'm sure we all have done foolish things with/to our cars, but not many of us admit to said deeds in a public forum.

Hey, we all have a story or two like that. I guess it was while doing my second or third oil change - back in 1976 - that I filled the car with oil, closed the hood, and drove away, only to discover that I hadn't replaced the drain plug. I only drove about a hundred yards before I noticed, so no damage to the car luckily. The worst of it was explaining the mistake to my Dad and then scrubbing the oil stains out of 75 feet of concrete driveway. Such are the hazards of being self taught.

What's the old saying? "Good judgment comes from experience. And experience comes from bad judgment."

 

[a10thunder]

Note the fluid is ATF M-V (Type 5), Mazda part number 0000-77-112E-01. Mazda has a TSB out clarifying the ATF type. It seems people were using MERCONV ATF and Mazda does not recommend that type.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I just printed this out and will put in with my paperwork in the glove box, so I have a visual reminder and confidence when I run to the store for some fluid some day. WOW! I'm freaking amazed at this error, THANK YOU for sharing this info! (usa)

(*mumbles to self* and these auto makers get paid big money and they can't even write the book correct? sheesh!**) :dodgy:

Peace!(rei)

 

[Heat]

Automatic transmission fluid in the dipstick tube - you can pick up a transmission fluid funnel from any store with automotive parts for $2 or $3, will make the job much easier. It's end will be the right size to fit into the dipstick tube.

As far as the manual transmission fluid intake - I haven't done it on my '09 Mazda. I did it on my '99 Accord this past summer, that was an interesting job. Turns out there were two bolts on the transmission, you had to remove the top one, then the bottom one, and fluid would come out the bottom hole. When drained replace the bottom bolt and put in 3.1 quarts through the top hole. Replace that bolt. No dipsticks or anything like that, you just added fluid until it was full and you could tell it was full when fluid started running out. Again, this was my Honda but I assume the Mazda will be similar.

By the way, what is the recommended manual transmission fluid change interval?

 

[mpvue]

This is embarrassing but after draining the transmission fluid instead of the oil (in the dark in a cold rain to make matters much worse), I was feeling rather gun shy and wanted to confirm that the ATF is added through the dip stick tube. So thanks, now both the oil and the transmission fluid are fresh and I'm back on the road.

I'm just wondering why you were changing the oil at night while it was raining.