Transmission Fluid Color

[10Molavi]

Hello everybody, great forum here. Long time lurker and 1st time poster.

I have just bought a CPO CX-9, 2010. Great car, but I have one concern. When I was doing my pre-purchase inspection, I could not find the transmission dipstick and the salesperson told me there is none. Then I got home and found it, the tip is not like the others I was used to.
What concerns me is that the transmission fluid is more yellowish than pink. I know these transmissions use the Toyota T-IV ATF, which is what my other car (Toyota) uses and I am sure the color on that is pink. So I wanted to know at 23K miles, is the ATF already burnt, or this is the original factory color. The transmission shifts fine, so I doubt I am dealing with some major issue (like a tech pouring in engine oil by mistake-have seen that happen before..).

 

[ceric]

JWS3309 is reddish in color.
See this for details.
http://www.workshop168.com/attachments/article/81/MUXX 3309 ATF.pdf

 

[Rawyzf]

You got the right dipstick?

 

[Takehold66]

mine is not pink either. the dipstick I found was sort of under the master cylinder area. mine is AWD, does that make a difference? maybe on FWD cars the fluid is pink and on AWD they use a different product?

 

[10Molavi]

mine is not pink either. the dipstick I found was sort of under the master cylinder area. mine is AWD, does that make a difference? maybe on FWD cars the fluid is pink and on AWD they use a different product?

Mine is FWD. The dipstick is next to the battery, towards the firewall. Has a round black plastic tip. On it has the temps and T IV typed, so I am sure it is the transmission/and I know which one is the engine

I am thinking about doing a few drain and fills. I found the 10mm hex bolt, I guess I would need the crush washer. I am going to get the ATF from Toyota since it is cheaper and they also give me a discount.
Anybody knows how many qts on each drain/refill? I know total capacity per manual is 7.5 qt.
Also, there is no real pan per se, a front cover I see, but based on the mazda 6 forum, under that is just bunch of electronics. So I assume no serviceable filters.

Looking at the manual, I am not sure where the jack/stand points on the CX-9 would be. It only mentions the location for the small jack. Any pics?

 

[kornholio]

I noticed that it mentions type T- IV on it. Can you use the toyota T-IV fluid? I have been asking this question for a long time. To the person that saw the T-IV on their dipstick what year is your 9? I have a 2007 AWD and as for the color it is red.

 

[10Molavi]

Mine is a 2010, the dipstick has T IV on it. Checked the 3309 bottle sold at the dealer (for $11.49!), has T IV/JWS3309 on the bottle. Check on "bob is the oil guy" forums, everybody agrees that it is the same fluid.

 

[kornholio]

Thank you for the quick response i really appreciate it. The T IV fluid is a lot cheaper than the 3309 at about 6 bucks a court it is almost half of the price quote you got from the dealer. Once again thank you.

 

[10Molavi]

I just got done with the 1st drain and refill. There is a crush washer on the drain bolt. I knew this since my Toyota has the same setup. The washer is over $10 at the dealer and they didn't even stock it. They told me they reuse them until it starts leaking. I know the crush washer is there to prevent over-torquing the bolt. I bought one from Toyota for ~$2 and it is the same. For now I reused mine, but for the 3rd drain and refill will use the new one. Thought would help someone to know you don't have to pay crazy $$ for an aluminum washer. (I used to think the Toyota price was too high anyway, but never had time to shop around to save $1.5).

 

[ceric]

"Toyota has the same setup."

FYI, we have Toyota transmission on CX9.....
Aisin is mainly owned by Toyota (a satellite company of Toyota), and supply transmissions to many automakers that do not own transmissions.
Other than Mazda,
"These Aisin‐Warner transmissions are used in CERTAIN domestic and foreign vehicles, including
Toyota, Lexus, Audi, Saturn, Ford, Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Porsche and Mitsubishi."

 

[kornholio]

Can you provide the part number for the crush washer. Here they won't even help you unless you have a part number.

 

[table5511]

fyi, we have toyota transmission on cx9.....

ssshhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

[2007cx9]

Color of fluid usually doesn't tell you much at all. The color comes from a dye and fades over time. Some get lighter, some get darker.