How many Drain & Fills before full transmission/filter service?

[DennisT]

Did search here; it helped. Our 2019 CX-5 we got new. Now 66,000 miles, and mechanic and I talked. He suggested pull drain plug, drain and refill ATF. Then, a little later do full service. I went to Foothills Mazda dealer in Spokane and asked, "Parts," man how much fluid to buy. He said 4 quarts is all I need to change fluid. I asked if there was a gasket kit; service kit; filter, etc., kit, and he said NO, just drain and refill. "No filter l- there was NO kit." Said 4 quarts is all I need. Made no sense to me, but I came home with 4 Qts. of Mazda ATF for about $80. (Whew)

So I look at fluid change you tubes tonight and, sure enough, seems I was right there is a kit for pulling down pan and doing full service. Gasket, drain plug washer, and an, "L," shaped black plastic house to replace. Then I find that the full, "system," is more like 9 quarts. (Probably part sits in torque converter) So I'm thinking this week when mechanic does oil change I'll go ahead and have him dump 4 quarts, and refill with fresh. Then search for all the other stuff to do it fully in about a month.

Do you all BUY from dealers for these kits and fluids? Tips???? I think that parts guy just thought I wanted to do drain and fill, even after I quizzed him about a full kit.

We're retired, wife with health issues, 80 miles to city doctor, etc. I need to keep this car going because I doubt we'll ever have the money to buy new or near-new again. I wonder how long these transmissions last????? Thanks for thoughts, Dennis in E WA state

 

[madar]

If you do a search on this forum, there are numerous threads on the subject from various posters including me.
Start here:

Guide - ATF Drain/Fill

 

[SparkYellow]

Did search here; it helped. Our 2019 CX-5 we got new. Now 66,000 miles, and mechanic and I talked. He suggested pull drain plug, drain and refill ATF. Then, a little later do full service. I went to Foothills Mazda dealer in Spokane and asked, "Parts," man how much fluid to buy. He said 4 quarts is all I need to change fluid. I asked if there was a gasket kit; service kit; filter, etc., kit, and he said NO, just drain and refill. "No filter l- there was NO kit." Said 4 quarts is all I need. Made no sense to me, but I came home with 4 Qts. of Mazda ATF for about $80. (Whew)

So I look at fluid change you tubes tonight and, sure enough, seems I was right there is a kit for pulling down pan and doing full service. Gasket, drain plug washer, and an, "L," shaped black plastic house to replace. Then I find that the full, "system," is more like 9 quarts. (Probably part sits in torque converter) So I'm thinking this week when mechanic does oil change I'll go ahead and have him dump 4 quarts, and refill with fresh. Then search for all the other stuff to do it fully in about a month.

Do you all BUY from dealers for these kits and fluids? Tips???? I think that parts guy just thought I wanted to do drain and fill, even after I quizzed him about a full kit.

We're retired, wife with health issues, 80 miles to city doctor, etc. I need to keep this car going because I doubt we'll ever have the money to buy new or near-new again. I wonder how long these transmissions last????? Thanks for thoughts, Dennis in E WA state

The average diligent owners start draining/filling at 60K miles transmission fluid (plus transfer case oil and rear differential oil if AWD.) Your mechanic is on point. If by full service you mean replacing the filter, that can happen later, much later. Mazda doesn't offer a kit, but there is one aftermarket kit that i know of. There is no OEM gasket for the pan. The pan typically doesn't need to be replaced. Not sure what the black L shaped housing is?

I didn't do the first drain/fill of transmission fluid until 153K miles.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Do you all BUY from dealers for these kits and fluids? Tips???? I think that parts guy just thought I wanted to do drain and fill, even after I quizzed him about a full kit.

Let's do an assessment here. If the parts guy informs you there is no filter kit, but there is, do you still trust the Parts department at this dealer?

We're retired, wife with health issues, 80 miles to city doctor, etc. I need to keep this car going because I doubt we'll ever have the money to buy new or near-new again. I wonder how long these transmissions last????? Thanks for thoughts, Dennis in E WA state

These transmissions are very reliable.

Personally, I suggest to drop the pan and have the filter changed too. The early stages of transmission break-in is when the filter and magnet gets most dirty. At the same time, part of the fluid will obviously some out and need to be replenished.

But, if you decide to go with only the drain and fill for now, that's fine too.