Trans fluid and spark plugs

[Expygator]

We have a 2008 Mazda CX-9 touring front wheel drive that we have had since 2009. Several years ago we gave the vehicle to our oldest daughter, who has driven it all through college and now continues to drive the vehicle and said she wants to drive it to the end of the earth.
It has 101,000 miles on it and has the stock spark plugs and the original transmission fluid. I would like to know what spark plugs you guys are using to replace the originals with? It's been several years, and technology moves forward, so is there a better plug than what it came from the factory with?

Secondly I've looked through the manual and I see no indication of a service interval for the automatic transmission fluid. Am I missing something, or is this a non-serviceable transmission? Please let me know if it is serviceable, what fluid you would use, and direct me to a procedure on how to do it.
On a side note, I just had the front lower control arms replaced under a recall yesterday. They also replaced the end links for the sway bar. No cost to me and they provided me with a car to drive while the repairs were being performed. In addition, they were finished with my car when they said they would be . They wanted to sell me a fuel injection cleaning a throttlebody cleaning and I guess complete fuel system cleaning. I declined. They also said that I need a new cabin air filter and they could install it for a total cost of $59. I declined on that and said I will install a cabin air filter myself. The service writer asked if I would like to buy one from them for five dollars. Yes please I will!

Finally, has anyone Seafoamed their CX-9 through the intake plenum?

Sorry for the ridiculously long post. But I am in desperate need of some advice.

Thank you,
Dean


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[Sealant]

I just used the Mazda / Motorcraft spark plugs. I changed mine at around the 100K Km mark and they were pretty eroded. They were not expensive and I kind of doubt more expensive plugs would be noticeable in any regard. In any case - I have not done any comparison or testing - just swapped out like for like. Some threads:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123843256-Spark-plug-gap&highlight=cx9+spark+plugs
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...-Sparks-Plugs/page2&highlight=cx9+spark+plugs
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123773226-How-to-get-to-the-spark-plugs

Some have had to remove stuff on the firewall to get access to it all - my vehicle is right hand drive and it was a very simple job. Don't forget to get new gaskets for the intake manifold.

Transmission is as you discussed. However when I looked at mine it was in pretty bad shape oil wise. There is a drain plug on the bottom (aluminium crush washer) and get about 3L out at a time. Refill for my 2008 was simply down the dip stick tube. Off the top of my head drained and refilled about 4 times over a week to get it looking good - specific oil required - again off the top of my head (please check) Mobil 3309 or Toyota T-IV.

Never bothered with any injection cleaner - never had a problem with any car I have owned - ever.

Since you are not AWD - no transfer case for you!

Other things to have a look at - serpentine and accessory belts. Mine showed cracking on the serpentine (same age vehicle but less driving). If very keen there is the power steering fluid - I changed mine out of curiosity and it was brown with flecks of metallic through out. Check for any play in the wheel bearings. I had to change the 2 front bearings at about 100K km.

Apart from that - just the regular stuff for any car I imagine.

Cheers

 

[geebos]

NGK # 6509 Iridium Spark Plug LTR6IX-11, AUTO TRANS FLUID - Automatic Transmission Fluid Type T-IV (ATF-0T4) JWS3309 for Aisin-Warner Transmissions, ATF-0T4 Genuine AISIN Toyota Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

[Pootie Tang]

Since these two things are changed so rarely, go to the dealer and get the OEM stuff. There is a post here on how to flush the trans fluid. Make sure to do it that way. The Plugs should be changed every 65K or so. Spark plug technology has gone nowhere. Don't get fancy! The engine is great stock. Also the coolant and thermostat should be changed at 100K. ONLY use OEM. You only need about a gallon anyway. And if you need to add water, ONLY use distilled.