New 2012 CX-9 AWD Owner

[cboglio]

Just purchased my 3rd mazda. A certified 2012 CX-9 Touring AWD, 23,000 miles, for $24,500...I think a pretty good deal.

It's my first AWD vehicle, so I don't know what to expect. I know its fun to drive, but what are some maintenance things to keep the AWD functioning properly? I realize that the transmission fluid doesn't need to be replaced until 100K miles? really?

 

[table5511]

I have fwd and will be performing a drain/refill at 60k. For you, Mazda has a position statement that says your rear differential is a sealed unit that does not require any fluid change. As for the transfer case & front trans, would'nt hurt to drain/refill around 50 or 60k. Various people have various opinions on that.
Some do a flush vs drain/refill. As long as your trans is still young and has no problems, I don't think a flush hurts anything. Its usually if your trans is having problems that you don't want to do a flush.

Just look under your vehicle from time to time to see if the rear differential has any fluid leaking, and also look at the transfer case to see if anything is leaking. The CX-9 has had some issues in that department. The earlier models had more leaking issues with the rear diff, but I've seen newer models have some transfer case leaks on here as well.

That whole system is covered to 6 years / 60k miles.