Seeking advice for keeping aging CX-5

[SparkYellow]

I recently refreshed these three fluids on my 2017 CX-3 AWD with 155K miles. The transfer case is in the front, differential is in the rear. A clean drain (having waited for the dripping to stop) of the transmission fluid got slightly over 3 quarts out. I filled with 3.2 quarts of fresh AISIN FZ from RockAuto. Did three rounds of drain-fill while waiting for result of the sample analysis. For the other two fluids I used Redline 80w90. Bought two bottles and used more than one after spilling some.

I definitely expect a modern Mazda to last longer than my 2011 MINI (currently 202K miles.)

 

[7eregrine]

Regarding manufacturer suggestion not to service your transmission. What do people do when their transmissions act up? Bring it to the dealer. What does the dealer say? thousands of dollars for a new transmission.

They pull yours out, refurbish it, swap another refurbished transmission in from another unsuspecting customer, make thousands of dollars off their "recommendation."
*shortened for brevity*

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

 

[Lazy2.5]

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

Feel free to disagree, obviously or not.

Literally the only time I have ever seen a transmission not experience serious wear or outright failure after 200,000KM on the original fluid is the Skyactiv's.

 

[SparkYellow]

Differentials I am comfortable doing myself, just not sure how to get rid of the used oil. The transmission I would defer to the dealer I think, but hopefully they are thorough as I know to properly clean the pan/magnet and put new seals is a bit involved.

There isn't much oil from the differential and transfer case. It was about a quart for my CX-3, maybe a bit more for your CX-5. Your local auto parts stores will gladly accept used fluids. In my area, one store will accept up to 5 quarts per customer per day. They take my jugs, dump the contents into their barrels, and return the almost empty jugs to me. I then empty the jugs some more at home before tossing them in the garbage.

The local recycling center will accept them in jugs. I accumulated about 15 gallon-jugs over the last few years and just got rid of them.

 

[madar]

Definition of "lifetime"

and: