Went in for my 25k oil change today. As I was checking out, I asked about the cost for an automatic transmission fluid change. I was told the "transmission is sealed and Mazda doesn't recommend it be changed". To this I said that is not what I have read on various online forums. Then another SA piped in and said if I did want it done it would be at around 150k and would cost 289. This did not give me a lot of confidence in the dealer. Think I will have it performed at an indie shop at 30k.

 

Yah they all say it's sealed and uses a "lifetime" fluid. I asked my private mechanic and he said doing up to the 60k miles mark can only prolong the life of the transmission. I will say that I have a family member with close to 100k miles on their 2019 CX-5 and it's still very smooth and performs well, and I don't think they've ever gotten the transmission fluid changed.

 

In reality, a sealed unit "never change fluid" transmissions, gear boxes, etc. can and do last a lifetime.
Lifetime being subjective, but generally meaning the life of the rest of the rest of mechanical system the transmission/gear box is applied to.
Whether it will have the same efficiency or not is dependent on where and how it is used or abused.
I've had vehicles that have worked perfectly for a "lifetime" with near zero maintenance and those that have failed even with most stringent maintenance.
Any mechanical system is a crap shoot and is only as good as the parts in it and who assembled it.
And those things can very on any given day in any mechanical assembled system.
Humans are involved, and we are not perfect, and we make mistakes.

 

There is nothing from Mazda that says it is not recommended only that there is no service schedule for the p[roceedure.

Countless oil analysis on many forums have shown the benefits and problem preventive measures in doing simple pan oil fluid and filter service.

The automatic transmission is filled with many new lubricants and other assemble chemicals as well the transmission itself goes through like and engine a break in period in which all contacting and rotating and moveable parts were in and will shed small amount of material that you hope get filtered or fall out of suspension and settle to the bottom of the oil pan. A varnish does form with miles and can only be reduced by a service frequency of at least the basic pan fluid and filter service.


If you have any question a small amount of extracted transmission oil can be analyzed at a very small cost and will give you a clue what is going on in the transmission.

Changing the fluid and filter will not void the WARRANTY.

Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories (blackstone-labs.com)

See transmission information about oil sampling: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 in the system 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!

 

This phrase is often reported and then that one day they start the engine and shift into drive, and nothing happens.

 

LIFETIME as for auto manufactures has varying meanings. If you research, it was a sales ploy that caught on to most all auto manufactures a couple decades ago. Yet there is NO TECHNAIL information available about how long a part is specifically designed to last beyond the that magical 100k mile mark in the transpiration industry as a whole. Presumably most interpret Lifetime as the 100k mark of the vehicles service life. Not many offer warranties beyond 100k and are very conditional and costly. The legal definitions and who is responsible of a lifetime warranty is not enforceable after a model or changes I a newer model over a past year(s) production models is discontinued by the auto manufacture.
No vehicle if in as good a condition when reaching the 100k mark without basic servicing and parts do wear out even transmissions. Lifetime also does not mean parts will not start to wear out either. It only suggest that they may not fail..

 

when you change the oil, sometimes its so black and full of grime. With changing oil in aut trans every 60k km, you prolong the life of the tran and you can be sure that oil is doing his job

I had bmw 7, never been changed oil(also lifetime sealed, 112.000km), it was jerky from 3rd to 2nd...i flushed it and changed oil pump and I done like that another 100.000 km without issue, changing oil at 50.000. It can be just worse with the same oil for 150 or 200k km. It is inexpensive thing, because when you need to rebuild the tran it cost so much more than tran oil+pan filter change

 

Don't know if Mazda does this, but other car manufacturers have an escape clause and that is "severe service". Severe service is how you drive your car. Change fluids at sensible intervals.

 

Yes Mazda has that noted in your owner's manual.
However it pertains more for engines operating in really adverse operating environments. I think they explain a little more what the define that as?

 

I have a question for everyone:

I am curious how you explain something in the USA 2022 CX-5 Manual. Why would Mazda specify longer mileage intervals for air filter service (both engine and cabin) under their severe schedule (Schedule 2) vs the normal schedule (Schedule 1)? I've compared the online electronic with my paper and they contain the same info. Why would Mazda say change air filters less often if you drive in dusty, muddy, etc areas?

link to 2022 CX-5 owner manual
https://www.mazdausa.com/static/manu.../07020200.html