Looking at Aamco transmission service (fluid change) on 07 CX9 with 50k

[sbmrinaldi]

My wife's 07 has 50k and we have never done anything to it for maintenance other than me changing the oil every 5k with synthetic. I think it is time to look at changing the tranny fluid and AAMCO locally is offering as a special $20 to drop the tranny pan, change the gasket, and add up to 5 quarts of new fluid. I am not really sure what the Mazda dealer offers for their $190 service, but essentially it seems to be a fluid change as well.

I would like to save money and not get raped by the dealer. Does anyone have any experience with AAMCO or think this is a unwise thing to do?

 

[ceric]

Don't do it.
Mazda uses special oil blend. Your local AAMCO might be using cheap fluid.
This could cost your tranny to seize up.
The fact is that you only do tranny fluid once every 30K+ miles.
Don't go cheap on it.
My local dealer charges $120 for the job. Try to find another dealer that is willing to go down on price.

 

[sbmrinaldi]

What about supplying AAMCO with the dealer OEM fluid? If the fluid is the only difference it would still have to be well under $60 even if I supplied the oil.

 

[ceric]

OK. Then, do they flush or drain-replace the fluid?
There is a big difference. I am not saying which is more suitable in your case (been 50K miles already).
However, flushing needs more labor.

 

[kelrog]

And double the fluid.

 

[table5511]

When I think of Aamco I think 1995 Honda Accord with 250,000 miles that needs transmission work, that Aamco can do to keep it *running* key word running. I don't consider them premium import repair & service specialists because they tend not to perform fine work with premium products.

 

[Z-Thrizzle]

Sorry for the noob questions but are the intervals for fluid changes in the manual? Does Mazda use life-time fluid in their tranny and diff. My other car came with this but I don't believe in a fluid being lifetime.

Edit: I searched and found it.

 

[ceric]

Found what? Z-Thrizzle.
There is no schedule for transmission in OM of CX9.
There is a schedule for differential fluid change (28K for heavy usage).
I go by 30K schedule for transmission fluid flushing. Others might disagree, but to each one's own. No need to argue over this.

Mazda's stand on this is simple. The fluid can pull through warranty period (60K) w/o hiccups.
After that, it is your responsibility, not Mazda's. Therefore, they could care less about it if it fails.
Mazda would advise you to change the fluid only when gear-shifting issue is showing.
IMHO, that is usually too late. Damage is done.