Questions for my next Service Appointment

[7eregrine]

A mistake? You really think Mazda wants a reputation of cars that don't last and they intentionally put a part in the car they know won't last? You don't build resale tht way, something Mazda publicly stated they want to do. You also won't stay in business today building disposable cars.

 

[Unobtanium]

Like I just mentioned above, how do you explain the front power transfer unit with "life-time" gear lubricant without a drain hole but keeps failing like a ticking time bomb on 1st-gen CX-9?

Does it do that on the 2nd gen?
It was an error in engineering. It happens. They corrected it for Gen 2, right? Nothing is ever going to be "perfect".

 

[Unobtanium]

I'm in the same predicament right now, while planning ahead for my own maintenance schedule.

The owner's manual for my QX states repeatedly that the 7 speed transmission is maintenance free, not even requiring fluid changes. The local Infiniti dealer advises a drain and fill @ 60,000 miles. So I emailed Infiniti, and they replied back that indeed, the 7 speed auto doesn't need any servicing, but that authorized dealers recommend proper diagnosis and repairs. I emailed Infiniti back asking them what they consider to be "lifetime" in regards to their transmission (asked for both expected years and mileage expectations). I have not gotten a reply yet, but its been less than 24 hours at this point.

Having said that, most of the guys over on the Infiniti forum seem to be replacing their transmission fluid at ~50,000 miles or so... and use the familiar argument that lifetime simply implies the lifetime of the power train warranty.

The transmission on a QX is about double the cost of one for the CX5, so I want to treat mine in the most responsible manner, but seem to be getting the all too familiar positions of both sides of the discussion.

You pay your money and take your ride. I paid my money and took my ride, and 2 replaced transmissions later, and a few "quirky ones", I now know "what's right for me". YMMV, as we are both by the nature of the beast "small insignificant sample sizes".

 

[Unobtanium]

Nothing would last forever. The same on ATF. Although my 2001.5 VW Passat is a 5-speed manual, but VW also insists the Tiptronic automatic transmission is maintenance free with "life-time" fluid. But people then found out the genuine VW ATF has a 2-year shelf life on it! My 1998 Honda CR-V has ATF replacement Interval. Plus Mazda does design a drain plug and a dipstick on its transmission just like my CR-V so that drain-and-fill is a fairly easy job. If the transmission is truly maintenance-free with life-time ATF, we shouldn't see the drain plug and dipstick like VW Passat and my BMW 528i!

Yes, and on another forum I am on, someone took a 10+ year old Surefire CR123 battery, and measured how much energy it put out, and how long it lasted, and found that even though 10 years was the shelf-life, it put out over 90% as much power/time (MaH) as a fresh Surefire, loaded at 2A, it lasted only 2 minutes less than the fresh battery, or something like that I recall.

Shelf-life in the bottle may not be indicative of anything is all I'm saying.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

You pay your money and take your ride. I paid my money and took my ride, and 2 replaced transmissions later, and a few "quirky ones", I now know "what's right for me". YMMV, as we are both by the nature of the beast "small insignificant sample sizes".

I can't remember, but didn't you say the tranny on your Nissan Z or Infiniti G car took a dump after a service? If so, was it the 7 speed auto?

 

[Unobtanium]

I can't remember, but didn't you say the tranny on your Nissan Z or Infiniti G car took a dump after a service? If so, was it the 7 speed auto?

The G20 died. The G20 was a 4A.
The 370Z became even more quirky than it was. It was a manual, and they are known for being quirky anyways though. The redline fluid didn't help much unless the car was warmed up, and then it MAY have been a bit less notchy, or maybe I was just hoping and imagining.

 

[Puyapim]

Like I just mentioned above, how do you explain the front power transfer unit with "life-time" gear lubricant without a drain hole but keeps failing like a ticking time bomb on 1st-gen CX-9?

Were those not Ford PTU which had a bad reputation?

 

[banjos-n-beer]

The G20 died. The G20 was a 4A.
The 370Z became even more quirky than it was. It was a manual, and they are known for being quirky anyways though. The redline fluid didn't help much unless the car was warmed up, and then it MAY have been a bit less notchy, or maybe I was just hoping and imagining.

So, from your personal experience, if the Nissan/Infiniti states lifetime, leave it be?

Obviously I wouldn't try to hold you accountable for anything... just looking for previous owners experiences and advice. thx

 

[ColoradoDriver]

If I recall from other threads, and you can correct me if wrong Uno, but you had some transmissions s*** the bed after replacing the fluid?

 

[Anchorman]

In case you do decide to have a go, here are the official instructions so youll know what to do with your genuine Mazda oil. Youll notice that they save dropping the oil pan and changing the filter for major overhaul and NOT for an oil change.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

In case you do decide to have a go, here are the official instructions so you’ll know what to do with your genuine Mazda oil. You’ll notice that they save dropping the oil pan and changing the filter for major overhaul and NOT for an oil change.

Thank you very much Anchorman!

 

[dunhillmc]

In case you do decide to have a go, here are the official instructions so you’ll know what to do with your genuine Mazda oil. You’ll notice that they save dropping the oil pan and changing the filter for major overhaul and NOT for an oil change.

do you have one that includes dropping the pan and changing the filter cartridge?

 

[Unobtanium]

So, from your personal experience, if the Nissan/Infiniti states lifetime, leave it be?

Obviously I wouldn't try to hold you accountable for anything... just looking for previous owners experiences and advice. thx

I know the transmission was fine at 110k miles. Fluid even looked pretty good. But I had to mess with it. Dealer promised me this wouldn't happen. Well it did. Thanks, Infiniti. Multiple error codes and inability to shift out of 1st etc. within several thousand miles.

 

[Unobtanium]

If I recall from other threads, and you can correct me if wrong Uno, but you had some transmissions s*** the bed after replacing the fluid?

2002 g20, changed at 110k. Dead by 115k. Was fine when changed.

1988 mustang gt. 88k miles. Purchase after sitting up for a year or three. Actually shifted fine. Did a drain and fill and within a few thousand miles was toast. It gets a pass due to being heavily nodded, but it died Identically to the g20 in symptoms. Hmmm.



2010 jeep grand Cherokee. Fluid changed at 68k miles. Would then vibrate badly at 45mph "trying to decide " to go into od or lock the converter or something it seemed. Never did it before.

This is my experience with automatics. Also of note I've never met anyone who owned a quality vehicle like a Camry or auto civic or something well made in the reliability dept. Who had an issue just never changing etc. Everyone I know got 300+ thousand miles out of their Camry, Lexus, whatever and engine oil leaks got an to trade finally, along with the interior and in general life changes allowing them to afford nicer cars.

 

[Anchorman]

do you have one that includes dropping the pan and changing the filter cartridge?

No, I don’t think it is even included in the workshop manual but I’ll check when I get chance.

 

[yrwei52]

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Adjustment

No, I dont think it is even included in the workshop manual but Ill check when I get chance.

Actually we'd like to see what is the official procedure from Mazda on "AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) ADJUSTMENT". If you can post this info it'd be greatly appreciated!

 

[mazdadude]

Actually we'd like to see what is the official procedure from Mazda on "AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) ADJUSTMENT". If you can post this info it'd be greatly appreciated!

(yes)

 

[Anchorman]

Actually we'd like to see what is the official procedure from Mazda on "AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) ADJUSTMENT". If you can post this info it'd be greatly appreciated!

Your wish is my command.......