How sealed is the transmission? 2020 CX-5
- Thread starter Pitter
- Start date
No fluid is lifetime. Period. It should be changed just like every other fluid if you want to preserve the "life" of that component for as long as possible.
I have a high mileage 2018 CX-5 and never changed out my ATF due to the lifetime fluid warranty. I have my doubts now but scared to even do a drain and fill due to it having 132k miles. I see people saying that "lifetime" means the lifetime of the powertrain warranty. If that was the case, why not make the argument of "lifetime" spark plugs (75k miles change interval) and "lifetime" coolant (120k miles first replacement)?
I think the owner manual said it never needs to be changed. I kinda wish I didn't stick by that and changed it. I think it might be too late for me though but just dunno why Mazda didn't include a ATF change interval like they did for the coolant and spark plugs that also have high mileage replacement.
There is a transmission breather hose. Item # 21-5C4. Hopefully the water didn't get above this level. With water being heavier than oil, loosening the drain plug enough to wiggle (last 1 or 2 threads) to let some fluid out should indicate water or not. This diagram shows for W/O turbo, not sure about a turbo diagram but you still should be able to locate your breather.
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- CX5 GT
the trans bvreather sits very high. If water was so high other problems would emerge by that level 
it would be flooded car. Your rear diff breather is lower btw.
So safest level is not higher than the bottom of your car exhaust pipes for stand still. If plowing through the water thats usually ok as the waves push water out but if you stop in it then its a problem.
it would be flooded car. Your rear diff breather is lower btw.So safest level is not higher than the bottom of your car exhaust pipes for stand still. If plowing through the water thats usually ok as the waves push water out but if you stop in it then its a problem.
The fluid does not have a lifetime warranty, it’s only warranted up to the powertrain warranty 6/60.
The transmission has a drain plug and a dipstick, along with a filter inside the pan so why they say it’s lifetime I cannot explain. Dont be scared to do it, it’s almost as easy as replacing the engine oil. Remove the lower plastic shroud (6 bolts and maybe 4 plastic grommets), from underneath reach under and remove the bolt that holds the orange dipstick on, then remove the drain bolt. Measure what comes out and replace with that exact amount. Mine were both 3.2 quarts. My 18 and 19 cx5s only have 35k miles, but I just did a drain and fill on both of them. I’ll repeat this every other oil change or 15k miles.
It doesn't matter who says it or where it is written. It simply isn't true. It's purely ignorant to believe that nonsense. Use common sense and do regular maintenance with all fluids regardless of what is written anywhere and you will keep things clean and wear free for hundreds of thousands of miles.
The rear differential breather at least in my ‘15 is terminated in the cargo area right side
I've ordered the replacement diff breather/vent hose mentioned in TSB to address that potential problem
KE02-27-090
Wonder if that is what caused Unobtanium's rear diff failure years ago?
mazdas247.com
KE02-27-090
Wonder if that is what caused Unobtanium's rear diff failure years ago?
CX-5 Diff, and how mine died like a dog.
My AWD light came on the other day, and my AWD was subsequently not working at all. A trip to the dealer resulted in the finding of several "weird" non-functional "gear ratio" codes (what I was told). A new diff was ordered from Mazda, and the entire rear diff was replaced. Upon failure...
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- Denver, CO
Ask Mazda what "lifetime" means and they will tell you nothing but "lifetime of the transmission" which isn't helpful at all. I asked them years ago and was like ok, how many miles? How many years? Nothing. "Lifetime" is a vague term that means different things to different people and when a wear item like fluid is involved, and I consider lifetime to be a car I have for 20 years and possible 300k or more miles...yeah that fluid is getting changed.
Now in your case at 132k miles, I think its past the point of where I'd feel comfortable doing fluid changes personally.
Agree, past the point. If you change it there is a high possibility that your transmission will start slipping
If the end of the breather hose was under water, and the tranny cooled down, water will have been sucked up the hose. You could sample the tranny oil (water will sink).
Well, that's just it. There isn't one.
The transmission fluid is not and never has been covered by Mazda for cost of failure (aka "warranteed"). At the very most, Mazda's coverage of any of it ceases at the end of their express warranties that were issued with the vehicle.
Fact remains, every oil and grease that I'm aware of breaks down in the presence of heat and pressure, over time. Including in transmissions. There's simply no other way to get rid of the chemical changes that eventually occur without changing out that fluid for new.
People will call it what they will. Mazda doesn't put it into their recommended maintenance schedule, and they don't "cover" it via warranty beyond any of their express warranties. And so, it's on us, the owners.
The transmission, differential and transfer case being what they are, they're awfully expensive components to roll the dice with. It's a relatively cheap insurance to treat them as reservoirs of fluids that eventually break down, changing them periodically.
As Grandma used to say: you only need brush and floss the teeth you want to keep.
Do you know why the coolant has a change interval instead of lifetime if it is also over the powertrain 60k mile warranty?
I can’t explain it. All fluids need changing over time with varying intervals. I’m not a chemist, but I find it hard to believe Mazda really thinks you should never change your trans fluid, particularly when the unit has a disptick and drain plug, not to mention how easy it is to do.
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