Recommended Maintenance Fluids?

[quixotic_elixer]

So I just bought a used 2011 GS Sport 2.5L in manual with roughly ~60km on it and loving it

One of the things I'd like to do in the Spring is get more hands on with the car by doing a lot of the maintenance myself if possible. This includes: Oil change, cabin air filter, Air filter, bleeding/flushing the brakes, coolant flush, and possibly do a drain and fill of the transmission fluid

I'm hoping to compile a proper list of recommended fluids used for maintenance. There are several similar threads scattered across the forum, figure it might be nice to have all the fluids in one post.

This is what i've found so far and intend on using going forward!

Engine Oil/fliter (0w20)
-Royal Purple
-Mobil 1

-people seem to suggest OEM filters, anyone use FRAM or WIX?

Engine Coolant (FL-22)
-OEM coolant (from dealership)

There seems to be a lot of discussion pertaining to whether someone should use FL22 coolant rather than the type and where to find it

Cabin Air Filter/ Air filter

Haven't found a lot of information on where I can find these outside of dealership. If someone could chime in on where a good place to look it'd be appreciated

Brake Fluid
-Castrol GT LMA DOT 4
-Prestone DOT 3

Transmission Fluid

I'd appreciate and recommendations here!

[staax]

I believe the Redline MT line is the popular synthetic choice for the 5/6 speeds. Approx 3-3.5 quarts if my memory serves me right but double check that.

As for the filters you can try Rockauto, prime choice auto parts, PartSource / Canadian Tire and pick up a Fram filter.

IMO, I'm not picky on what filters I use as I don't live in dusty/harsh conditions.

If you wanna spend money you can go with a KN.

[WHO]

I got my cabin filters from either Amazon.COM and RockAuto. They were Wix IIRC. Like 10$.
Engine Air filter the washable/re-oil K&N drop in OEM, from Amazon too. About 50$ with plenty of oil to refill.

For oil I usually go with either Pennzoil Platinum or Mobil1, whichever is on sale when I'm in a Walmart USA store. 22$ for 5 qt bottle (roughly 5L).
For filters, I prefer Bosch, because they don't fall apart and destroy your engine as opposed to Fram. But Wix, Purolator, are also very good. 3$ each at Rock Auto.

I haven't had to replace the MT fluid yet, nor the coolant.

[js593]

Personally i would only use WIX filters, or if that's not available, use OEM.

Fram filters degrade over time, and they are literally cardboard in a can. As for transmission fluid. Always go with OEM specs. I heard lots about Redline (good stuff) but never used it

[5_Alive]

Try the Ford fluid for your transmission.
Its mtx-50 or something along that line..

[Booter22]

Oil i use castrol. K&n oil filter. Havent chnged the coolant anx you wont need to until 10 years or 192 000km.cabin air filter i use the dealer filter. Brake fluid dealer fluid. Trans fluid i use motul find it shifts and runs better then the ford. My gfs car has ford so i have an easy compare car i drive often. Go with motul over ford for trans.

[quixotic_elixer]

Would you guys be able to provide a parts #? I'm not sure if i'm looking up the right filters lol

One of the other pieces of info I was looking at was how to check the Transmission Fluid in my car? There isn't a dip stick under the brake fluid and I've read there's a bolt that hides a stick but I can't locate it

[Booter22]

Would you guys be able to provide a parts #? I'm not sure if i'm looking up the right filters lol

One of the other pieces of info I was looking at was how to check the Transmission Fluid in my car? There isn't a dip stick under the brake fluid and I've read there's a bolt that hides a stick but I can't locate it

Is it skyactive?

[quixotic_elixer]

Is it skyactive?

Nope, it's the older one.

[Johns 08 3 GT]

With a stick shift trans there is no dip stick. You have to use the fill plug on the transmission case. The fluid should be level with that plug when removed.

Mazda specs a 75W80 trans oil for your car. Not 75W90.

As for OEM part numbers,

Oil filter LF05-14-302B
Air filter LF50-13-Z40A-CA
Cabin filter BBM4-61-J6X

[sarujo]

Oil i use castrol. K&n oil filter. Havent chnged the coolant anx you wont need to until 10 years or 192 000km.cabin air filter i use the dealer filter. Brake fluid dealer fluid. Trans fluid i use motul find it shifts and runs better then the ford. My gfs car has ford so i have an easy compare car i drive often. Go with motul over ford for trans.

The Ford fluid is 75W90 while your gen2 gearbox calls for 75W80

[js593]

With a stick shift trans there is no dip stick. You have to use the fill plug on the transmission case. The fluid should be level with that plug when removed.

Mazda specs a 75W80 trans oil for your car. Not 75W90.

As for OEM part numbers,

Oil filter LF05-14-302B
Air filter LF50-13-Z40A-CA
Cabin filter BBM4-61-J6X

I thought the fort MTf was a good replacement on the performance side?

[Booter22]

The Ford fluid is 75W90 while your gen2 gearbox calls for 75W80

Cant get 75w80. Even the replacement fluid we got from mazda was 75w90. The motul is the same weight. It is fine to use. Couldnt find 75w80 from anyone so i gave up and went with performance fluid per say of the grade mazda gave us to use

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Motul makes a 75W80. its around $18ish per 1L bottle. The Mazda branded 75W80 is almost $30 per 1L bottle. I have no idea why.

[Reddie1337]

Cant get 75w80. Even the replacement fluid we got from mazda was 75w90. The motul is the same weight. It is fine to use. Couldnt find 75w80 from anyone so i gave up and went with performance fluid per say of the grade mazda gave us to use

I bought 75w-80 from Kieswetter when I did my Skyactiv 6-spd tranny service, Mazda branded. Wasn't cheap, but I put it in.

[sarujo]

Redline MTL

[Lumberjack]

VC-10-A2 https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...ing%20Products
it was $28.91 at my local Ford when I called and Ford buys it from Mazda. Use distilled water and it's a 55/45 premixed from Mazda
there is also the premixed version with different sku

Try the Ford fluid for your transmission.
Its mtx-50 or something along that line..

[5_Alive]

I only paid $17/bottle from my Ford dealership..
Weird.

[Lumberjack]

Is that the concentrated or premix? I somehow don't think it's THAT cheap as I can't get it for that price in the US even. Could you check please as I am going to buy some and know that I can work them on the price if I can buy it that cheap from another dealer. I would check myself if you tell me which dealership it is even.

I only paid $17/bottle from my Ford dealership..
Weird.

[5_Alive]

Is that the concentrated or premix? I somehow don't think it's THAT cheap as I can't get it for that price in the US even. Could you check please as I am going to buy some and know that I can work them on the price if I can buy it that cheap from another dealer. I would check myself if you tell me which dealership it is even.

That's straight Ford fluid..
This price is cost + 10%

You can get it for under $20/bottle if you beat them up enough.

Wait, I'm talking trans fluid, not coolant.

[jswift79]

paid $22-23 for a 4L jug of FL22 coolant. they dont sell them in smaller bottles

[Lumberjack]

I must ask again cause they sell the Ford stuff in concentrate and premixed (2 different SKU's) - which was it cause I am still finding it hard to believe it is that cheap there compared to Ottawa or US as I can't get the concentrate for that price. One would be lead to believe the premix would be cheaper as you are getting half as much.

paid $22-23 for a 4L jug of FL22 coolant. they dont sell them in smaller bottles

[jswift79]

I must ask again cause they sell the Ford stuff in concentrate and premixed (2 different SKU's) - which was it cause I am still finding it hard to believe it is that cheap there compared to Ottawa or US as I can't get the concentrate for that price. One would be lead to believe the premix would be cheaper as you are getting half as much.

the jug of FL22 premixed - 55/45. pics of the label. my car is the 2012 mazda3





not sure if u can buy concentrate. i asked for FL22 in a small jug, but they only sell in the big jug

[quixotic_elixer]

With a stick shift trans there is no dip stick. You have to use the fill plug on the transmission case. The fluid should be level with that plug when removed.

I think this is where I've been confused, I'm not sure what the transmission case looks like lol Can someone take a photo and point in right direction?

On another note, I am due for my first oil change.. I picked up some engine oil from Walmart, but where's the cheapest place to pick up Wix filters for my car?