Hi all!

I purchased my 2020 Mazda CX-5 AWD GT in April of 2024 as a Mazda CPO. I’m coming up on the 60k mile service, and would like to understand recommended vs required service.

I contacted a local Mazda dealer, and they said the following should be done:

• EPR Oil Change w/ Tire Rotation - $189
• Fuel Induction Service - $189
• Coolant Exchange - $189
• Differentials Service - $175
• Transmission Fluid Service - $130
• Transfer Case Service - $175

A lot of this isn’t in the service guide, and the service rep said this is what the dealer recommends from what they see on a daily basis, and in our “midwest” conditions despite the manual.

I contacted a second dealer, and they said the following:

• Oil Change with Tire Rotation - $110
• Coolant Flush - $150
• Transmission Flush - $259

No mention of EPR, fuel induction, differentials, or transfer case here.


Advice on this would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!


-Jack

 

Welcome to the forums!

Well, you need to realize that most dealerships are in business to make money.....they're a business.....it's what they do. That said, not all are the same. Some will be more adept in selling their services than others will. Most of the items you have listed are fluid changes, which are always usually a good idea. At 60,000 miles and only 4-5 years old, I'm not sure that I would opt to replace the differential fluids just yet, but that is just my opinion.
I would approach this as, how much money do you want to put back into the vehicle at this time.......all the while considering how long will I want to own the car as well......that should be part of this decision making I would think. I'm the type of guy that would do all of my vehicle maintenance myself, so the cost would be much less for me. When I do my own maintenance, I usually buy the factory specified fluids (not counting engine oils) and OEM parts, as most of the time they are superior to aftermarket parts these days.

 

Interesting to me is the vast difference in prices between the two places. 130 for transmission exchange at one and 259 at the other? Oil change and rotation 110 at one and 189 at the other. Coolant 189 at one and 150 at the other. I would have the transmission serviced at the first place and have the coolant and oil changes done at the second place.

 

Ahh the always confusing ....answers ....on transmission maintainence - One says " fluid exchange " $130 - the other " flush " $259 ? -So theres effectively 2 different things going on here - #1. a simple drain and fill or #2 removing the pan , replacing the filter , resealing the pan ( w-RTV ) no gasket - then refill . - The second option I read was " flush " and that may be a mistake as I dont know any dealer or reputable shop that will power flush ATF - as it can create all kinds of issues - valve body - mainly - So.....depending on whats actually being done there would be a big cost difference - My personal choice at 60k would be a drain and fill - Im not getting my factory RTV sealed pan pulled off just to replace a filter which should go to 90-100 /. because it requires time , parience and a deft hand - as even the best often have leakes on pan drops - due to seal/ rtv /. it just happens - You wont get all the ATF out either way as the torque converter will retain fluid - Do more frequent drain and fills and save the pan drop for a major hi mileage interval - If you are in extreme circumstances/ towing / heat - then possibly sooner- or if drain-fills are coming up dirty after short intervals and abnormal accumulation appears on the plug magnet ...ok pan drop ..... - but flush - i wont ever do or have done to my trans -
Clarify with your Service Advisor and Tech EXACTLY what they intend to do on your ATF service ...since Mazda dosent even recognize it as a service requirement ....which i consider ..ahem ...ludacrious- why all the hassle over the trans svcs - oh yeah - the most expensive component to replace on your vehicle -

 

The basic transmission pan drop filter replacement and fluid service should be done. At that point if there is an experienced qualified Auto Technician either doing the service or inspecting can determine if a full fluid replacement may be advised. At 60k miles performing a full fluid replacement can NOT in any way harm a transmission if it is done using a Professional transmission service machine and the user a certified Automotive mechanic or better Automotive Technician!

Mazda has worded that some automatic transmission are lifetime no service required. Keep in mind you will have no recovery after that 100k mark if the transmission has issues. Likewise there is no denying a warranty
claim based on a preventative maintenance like a few pan drop and filter and pan fluid replacements.

You can also have a small sample of the transmission fluid analyzed (advised) which will confirm any problems that may have stared.

Some service advice and recommendations in post # 4 should not be taken as advisable .

BTW way anyone that says they get leaks after installing a pan using RTV is a pure indicator they don’t know what they are doing


ASE

 

General information on Transmission oil samples
Transmission Oil Reports | Blackstone Laboratories

Transmission Oil Reports

Automatic transmissions ask a lot of the oil. Not only does the oil lubricate and clean internal parts, but it also functions as a hydraulic oil to operate various components.

Transmission oil can be contaminated with metals, solids, and moisture, and those contaminants need to be removed before they cause problems. Conversely, a test of your transmission fluid may reveal that it’s still in great condition, and you don’t need to change it as often as you thought.

There’s no easier way of knowing what’s going on than oil analysis. We can tell you if the oil needs to be changed, if it’s contaminated, or if there are any problems at hand. Request your free kit today and make sure your drive train is wearing as it should!

 

I thought I’d just post an update here..


I went for…

-oil change

-tire rotation

-transmission flush

-differential fluid exchange

-transfer case fluid exchange


And after the service for the latter 3, I learned that (at a Mazda dealer) they were not done with genuine Mazda fluids. They use bulk. I called around to to the other nearby dealers (and even some not so close), and they all said that they use bulk fluids for these procedures (even coolant and brake fluid), unless requesting OEM and paying $150-200 more per job.

Lesson learned!

 

Thank you for this response!!!

YES many MAZDA dealerships ( are an independently owned business) will use bulk fluids that meet all the basic SAE API and any other set by the auto manufacture to use in the engines transmissions differentials and coolant.
And yes a Auto manufacture Dealership ( are an independently owned business) can and often will charge more for specifically marked and bottled under the auto manufacture name i.e. Mazda (genuine Mazda) and bottled/packaged fluids for service procedures. Not only is this a common practice for decades but in the US goes a step further with the consumer protection if other than an auto manufacture product is used for a service called the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (P.L. 93-637) is a United States federal law (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.). Enacted in 1975, the federal statute governs warranties on consumer products. This also extends to dealership because they are independently owned business.

And this also goes without saying that in all the service advisories as well recommendation unless it states clearly using the word REQUIRED then you are not bound by nor be afraid of loss of Warraty the use of other then a MAZDA product in this case fluids for service.

ASE

 

the fuel injection service is simply a bottle of this in your gas tank:

the BG stuff is really good - i use this every 10K miles and BG MOA for the oil

 

So maybe those type of products are what the dealer was planning to add? Who knows. Callisto, what is your opinion of a product like BG MOA 115 Is it something the average person should use? I have never heard of this unless one had an issue. Is it something you use on a regular basis? For $15 I would certainly add it once in a while if it actually helps.