Automatic Transmission Fluid. Should I be changing mine?

[Hotsky]

So my '05 M3 auto is at 140K and the transmission fluid never been changed... :S I checked the dipstick today and the colour looks like new motor oil, more gold colour, not too dark not not exactly red. I've heard that if the fluid gets very dark it's not worth changing it because fresh fluid will only loosen up all the gunk causing more problems.

I did some research on fluid flush vs drain. I don't think mine is bad enough to be harmful if changed. Should I get the flush done or do the drain myself?

[Wes08M3]

In your case, flush would be best.

Drain and fill is good if you keep up with the maintenance more often, like if you did it every 50k. But since that fluid has been in there for a while and it's quite dirty now, it's best to get it all out. Then you can do regular drain and fills after.

[Hotsky]

mods can you edit my post, title should say "should I be changing mine.

[Hotsky]

I called Active Green and Ross and they do ATF flush for $130 and I was told they use synthetic fluid. Seems pretty cheap... Anyone use them?

[TheMAN]

$130 is too cheap for synthetic fluid... probably some crappy fluid

[silverstarmazda]

also look into a filter change

[Hotsky]

Guy said it was Castrol and that got a good deal from the distributor. Supposedly they have a vacuum machine to drain all the fluid out. They also do a drain/fill where they drop the gasket for $90 IIRC.

[Wes08M3]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Castrol even has synthetic ATF. At least not that I've seen in Canada.

They're probably talking about the multi vehicle import ATF, which is NOT a synthetic as far as know.

[standsideways]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Castrol even has synthetic ATF. At least not that I've seen in Canada.

They're probably talking about the multi vehicle import ATF, which is NOT a synthetic as far as know.

The transmax line is synthetic/semi syn/full syn depending on what specific product..

[Wes08M3]

The transmax line is synthetic/semi syn/full syn depending on what specific product..

Can you get that in Canada though? Never seen it before and it's only listed on the USA website not the Canadian one.

[standsideways]

Im sure you can get it somewhere.

Wal-mart usually has lots of castrol stuff.

[TheMAN]

transmax is semi-synthetic, the regular multi vehicle import is conventional
valvoline maxlife ATF is synthetic though

run far, far away from this guy.... when a deal is too good to be true, it is!

[trulankan]

well from my experience, i changed my fluid around 95k and apparently it was never done before (i got the car at 80k). I called up a bunch of places to get a quote and had the flush-and-fill in mind. The usual price was anywhere from $140-$180 iirc. anyway, i called Aamco and was told that since my car was getting close to 100k it would be safer to do a drain-and-fill vs. a flush since there a chance it can break a seal. i'm not sure the likeliness of that happening but I decided to be cautious and go with the drain and fill.

[leecheefoto]

I always stay away from AGR. But I'm due for one in 3000km.. Jimmy scolded me to drain and fill it because its the tone of soy sauce haha. I'm at 57k so far!

[TheAnswer_03]

Had a transmission flush done last year at 102,000km using 9 quarts of Royal Purple Max ATF synthetic. No problems thus far, works great.

[Hotsky]

run far, far away from this guy.... when a deal is too good to be true, it is! I actually called a couple AG&R and was basically told the same thing. Even if it's not synthetic it's still a good price, no? :/

[Wes08M3]

Its not a bad price. It just seems a little sketchy since he's telling you it's synthetic fluid he "got a good deal on from the distributor" and yet it seems VERY unlikely that the fluid is actually synthetic. Doesn't seem like a trustworthy guy is all.

[sky_active]

Just got my tranny drain & refill last weendend at 108k. I bought it used and I'm pretty sure it has never been changed or whatsoever. From the dipstick it seems pretty dark to me, no other colour anyway. I read some of the walk through on the forum and decided DIY. Sill took me the whole afternoon coz the screws were all rusted and drove me crazy to get the engine plate off. first drain was completely dark oil came off the plug, and I drove the car around for a minitute do the 2nd drain and then drove then 3rd. Its not fresh red on the dipstick but is way better than it used to be. :)

[sky_active]

I used Castrol import ATF at Walmart for $6 something. since its an old car don't wanna waste too much on it. Nothing noticeable about tranny by the way. I would say a bit smoother than before.

[Caesu]

Just found this thread, I posted in the manual tranny section by error, but I'll ask here as well. For a drain and fill, how much oil is needed? It's a 2.3L 5 speed auto.

[Hotsky]

Got the ATF fluid flush done last week, like I said it hasn't been changed in 141K,:S cost me $150 and change at AGR. I can tell gears are changing smoother now.

btw on the receipt it says 8 quarts of Mercon 5.

[omalak]

109km and have yet to do a drain and fill or a flush! lol, I guess i should get on that.

[Wes08M3]

Got the ATF fluid flush done last week, like I said it hasn't been changed in 141K,:S cost me $150 and change at AGR. I can tell gears are changing smoother now.

btw on the receipt it says 8 quarts of Mercon 5.

Mercon V is the wrong fluid. Get that out ASAP and give AGR shit. Mercon V is for Fords, it's a risk putting it in a Mazda trans. What a bunch of idiots...

[Hotsky]

^ Are you sure?? I was just looking it up online and found this tread from Australian forum they seem to agree on the Mercon 5.

http://www.ozmazda.com/board/index.php/topic/7554-mazda-3-auto-transmission-fluid-mercon-v/

edit another one http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628444
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2559/atfmv.jpg
M5 = Mercon 5?

[Wes08M3]

Yes I believe the fluid spec'd for our cars is the Mazda M-V Type M5. Which is not the same a Mercon V from what I understand. None of the Merc V fluids say they're spec'd for Mazda's either.

[Wes08M3]

^ Are you sure?? I was just looking it up online and found this tread from Australian forum they seem to agree on the Mercon 5.

http://www.ozmazda.com/board/index.php/topic/7554-mazda-3-auto-transmission-fluid-mercon-v/

edit another one http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628444
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2559/atfmv.jpg
M5 = Mercon 5?

Did you read the actual post on BITOG? The Mazda TSB specifically says M5 and Merc V are NOT the same...

CORRECT APPLICATIONS FOR ATF M-V (TYPE M5) AND MERCON®V AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUIDS
Bulletin No: 05-005/08
Last Issued: 4/11/2008
Service Bulletin Mazda North American Operations
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
MULTI MODEL - CORRECT APPLICATIONS FOR ATF M-V (TYP

DESCRIPTION
Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF. Using the wrong ATF may
cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the transmission.
NOTE:
• ATF M-V (TYPE M5) IS NOT THE SAME FLUID AS MERCON®V ATF.
• ATF M-V (TYPE M5) HAS A GREATER VISCOSITY THAN MERCON®V ATF IN LOW TEMPERATURES.
• ATF M-V (TYPE M5) HAS A GREATER ANTI-JUDDER SPECIFICATION THAN MERCON®V ATF.

CAUTION:
• USING ATF OTHER THAN ATF M-V (TYPE M5) IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
DESIGNED TO USE ATF M-V (TYPE M5) MAY CAUSE SHIFT QUALITY COMPLAINTS.
• USING ATF OTHER THAN MERCON®V IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DESIGNED TO
USE MERCON®V MAY CAUSE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.

[Hotsky]

I read that part after I posted it :blush

this thread made me feel a little better http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=351721

[Wes08M3]

Yeah I'm sure people have run it with no major issues. There are also posts on the BITOG forum saying there have been complete transmission failures due to using Merc V instead of the M5.

I don't think it's worth taking the risk, especially paying $150 to get the incorrect (technically) fluid. But that's just my opinion.

[silverstarmazda]

Yes I believe the fluid spec'd for our cars is the Mazda M-V Type M5. Which is not the same a Mercon V from what I understand. None of the Merc V fluids say they're spec'd for Mazda's either.

+1

mercon V is not the M5 in our cars!! it can be used temporarily, but its suggested to change to an M5 formulation. i use to run mercon V because of a leak and where i worked. ran the car for a couple months and it was fine. but flushed it out with castrol multi-import ATF when i installed my cooler.

[Hotsky]

I had the receipt in the car and only had a brief look at it before and looks like I misread it. It says they used 8 liters of Castrol Domestic Multi Vehicle ATF and '1 unit ' of EA62 -ATF Supplement Marcon 5. don't really know what that means. :s

[Wes08M3]

Well they should've used the Castrol multi-vehicle IMPORT ATF, not domestic. A Mazda is an import last time I checked...

I think they butchered this job, I'd be going back to them none too pleased.

[mikey32235]

every 40k or 2 yeaars

[$lickology]

I had mine changed at 68,000kms. Had it done at the dealers cause I wanted it done right and for my records. The shifts feel even better now than before.

[stock3]

I had the receipt in the car and only had a brief look at it before and looks like I misread it. It says they used 8 liters of Castrol Domestic Multi Vehicle ATF and '1 unit ' of EA62 -ATF Supplement Marcon 5. don't really know what that means. :s

They used a supplement to bring Castrol Domestic ATF, which I believe meets Mercon spec, to Mercon V spec, but it is still a wrong spec for Mazda.

For $150 I would demand proper fluid to be used.

[htc***]

Here is the synthetic ATF transmission fluid

AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF
- Mazda ATF-M III, ATF-MV

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/automatic/signature-series-multi-vehicle-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid/?page=%2fstorefront%2fatf.aspx


Red Line D4 ATF offers the widest selection of fully-synthetic ATF
- Mazda ATF M-V

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

[sky_active]

Wes, if you take a minute to search same of the old threads on the forum, you would find a lot talking about choosing the right fluid. Though Mercon V is not approved or recommended by MAZDA, a bunch of members still changed fluid with that with no problems found (supposed). But technically, ur supposed to use M-V MAZDA APPROVED just for ur peace of mind.

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_ImportMV.pdf

Some guys also talked about Redline or Valxline which are also good stuff to do it.


^ Are you sure?? I was just looking it up online and found this tread from Australian forum they seem to agree on the Mercon 5.

http://www.ozmazda.com/board/index.php/topic/7554-mazda-3-auto-transmission-fluid-mercon-v/

edit another one http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1628444
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2559/atfmv.jpg
M5 = Mercon 5?