We bought this car at 62,000 miles about two years ago. We are the third owner, #1 = 3k miles, #2 = 59k miles #2 owner was a little sketchy, but the car seemed sound and the price right #3 = me, I want the car to last another ten years.

I doubt the transmission fluid has ever been changed. Should I:
** Change it now ?
** Flush it ?
** Change the filter ?
** I called the dealer and they use the BG Flush system - to completely replace all the fluid vs drain and fill - only replaces some / most of the fluid.

TIA,

Tom

 

Some search results show every 90K miles but not sure how reliable that is. What is the original manual for the 2015 CX-5 saying?

 

I've heard bad things about 'flushing' a transmission. Better to drop the pan and change the filter, clean the magnets and
add new fluid.
Yes you still have 'old' fluid in the torque converter, so if that worries you, change the fluid again in 5 or 10 thousand miles.
Ask dealer service dept what brand and type T fluid they use or recommend and then check Amazon.
IIRC, Toyota T fluid is a good choice.

My 2¢

 

That's what I had done earlier in the year, with my own 2016.5 CX-5 GT AWD at ~80Kmi. Transmission pan dropped, cleaned, re-filled; differential fluid changed. Had it done by a reputable local transmission shop. They, too, never did the "flush" method and only did the "drop the pan" method. Wasn't inexpensive. But on the supposedly "lifetime lubrication" for the drive train (couple of Maz dealers told me this), I'll sleep better with it being done every 50Kmi or so.

 

Drain and fill - Simple.
----------------------------------
Anyway - I did not change transmission oil at all- believed in Madza marketing hype - At 96k my transmission went complete kaput. After spending 4k on transmission repairs( 3rd party) I am a believer in conventional wisdom.

 

What's amazing to me are some of the answers here, from folks who should know better, even senior members.

Mazda says to use FZ transmission fluid ONLY.! Other types are not compatible.

The transmissions in these cars can not be flushed in the conventional way. A custom adapter HAS to be used if a flush is to be done. Very few, if any, will have this adapter.

To answer the OP's question.

Yes, change it now.

 

There are two schools of thought on to flush or not to flush the tranny fluid.

1. A complete flush runs the risk of dislodging dirt particles into the automatic transmission valves and alley ways thereby potentially causing the transmission to shift oddly or worse.
2. Drain and fill is utilized most.

Personally, I drain and fill (replace the tranny filter by dropping the pan). Been doing this for years on all my vehicles every 50K. I am the 2nd owner of a 2014 CX-5 Touring. I got it with 67K miles on it. When I checked the fluid (you have to remove the air filter housing) it smelled burnt and it was a brownish color.

Good luck.

 

The reason (main reason) a 'flush' isn't recommended is that the filter isn't changed and the magnet could be coated
with enough debris to make it nearly useless.
Problem is each manufacturer calls its T fluid by their own 'name' or 'spec', though most all T fluid is BASICALLY the same
except for additives and other minor specs. The list of fluid that Idemitsu for one has available (all are expensive) is long and
confusing as to what goes with what. Only their chemists know for sure.
many Asian T fluids are gray instead of red for some reason.
CX-5s and other Mazda transmissions before ~2016 are made by Nissan, after that date Mazda made their own transmissions and
may call for a different T fluid. Fun and games.

My 2¢