automatic transmission
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: houston
call the dealership and get the fluid from them. they use a slightly different fluid than the normal autozone brand. they will give you the right amount and the right kind. i know the price sucks, but you just have to do it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 288
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From: Sanford, Fl
Make sure you don't do a transmisson flush at a local oil shop, your car has a tranny filter in it. So If decide to change the fluid yourself get a new filter kit. BTW it's not recommed for service til 30,000 miles
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,183
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From: Aberdeen, MD
see thats the thing, it does not use ford fluid the mercon V (once again: the only ford attachment is the build design of the unibody and it was a joint between mazda and ford 60/40 split, everything else on the 3 was engineered by mazda and implemented into the newer fords, its still a mazda period), i was sure to check it myself, there is a note that specifically states NOT to use mercon V. In fact it uses Mazda V, decoded its the same fluid used in most imports, but again NOT the same as the ford brand.
Last edited by Tracker; Dec 19, 2009 at 01:59 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Clinton Tennessee
I stand Corrected Tracker,but since every other place in the Manual gave a specific part # when M III was used in PS and M V was for the trans, in the real world that would mean Mercon in both cases, but I did have the Quantities correct 
Automatic Transmissions
FN4A-EL (4-speed)
The capacity is 7.6 quarts (7.2L) after a complete fluid removal. The FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
FS5A-EL (5-speed)
The capacity is 8.6 quarts (8.14L) after complete fluid removal. Again, the FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
Some of us thought (myself included) that Mercon V was a suitable replacement for the specified ATF M-V (Type M5) listed in the FSM. Fortunately, TheMAN pointed out that the two are not interchangeable and use of the wrong fluid can result in problems. For more details, go to:
http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15847 post #5
According to the Mazda Service Bulletin No. 05-005/08, ATF M-V (Type M5) has both a greater viscosity at low temperatures and a greater anti-judder specification than Mercon V. Additionally, using an ATF other than ATF M-V (Type M5) in A/Ts designed to use this fluid may cause shift quality complaints. Note: for those using Mercon V, Mazda doesn't say damage will result, rather shifting may not be optimum. Access the bulletin at:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...05-08-1928.pdf
Suitable synthetic replacement fluids for both types of transmission are as follows:
Amsoil Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid; replaces Mercon V, Mazda ATF-III and ATF M-V (Type M5).
Mazda Automatic Transmission Fluid: M5 (Mazda Part No. 0000-77-112E-01)This is Mazda's ATF M-V (Type M5) replacement fluid and may be the factory fill. I have no information as to its constituent base stocks and therefore don't know how to rate its synthetic status.
Red Line D4 ATF. Interestingly, this is a GL-4 rated oil, one of the two ATFs I know of that are so rated. According to Red Line, along with other usage, it is recommended for use where Mercon V is specified. It is not listed as a replacement for ATF M-V (Type M5) on their website. However, I e-mailed Red Line to ask them what they recommend and received the following reply from David Granquist of Red Line Oil:
Michael,
Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, glad to hear the products are performing so well in your Protege. The D4 ATF is suitable and recommended for use in the Mazda3 with A/T, it would satisfy the M-V fluid requirements.
Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil
I report, you decide.
I also e-mailed Torco asking about the suitability of their HiVis fluid for ATF M-V replacement use but have yet to hear from them. If they answer, I'll let you know their response. If not, I'll eventually remove Torco from our list. In the meantime it might be better to avoid its use.
FN4A-EL (4-speed)
The capacity is 7.6 quarts (7.2L) after a complete fluid removal. The FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
FS5A-EL (5-speed)
The capacity is 8.6 quarts (8.14L) after complete fluid removal. Again, the FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
Some of us thought (myself included) that Mercon V was a suitable replacement for the specified ATF M-V (Type M5) listed in the FSM. Fortunately, TheMAN pointed out that the two are not interchangeable and use of the wrong fluid can result in problems. For more details, go to:
http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15847 post #5
According to the Mazda Service Bulletin No. 05-005/08, ATF M-V (Type M5) has both a greater viscosity at low temperatures and a greater anti-judder specification than Mercon V. Additionally, using an ATF other than ATF M-V (Type M5) in A/Ts designed to use this fluid may cause shift quality complaints. Note: for those using Mercon V, Mazda doesn't say damage will result, rather shifting may not be optimum. Access the bulletin at:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...05-08-1928.pdf
Suitable synthetic replacement fluids for both types of transmission are as follows:
Amsoil Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid; replaces Mercon V, Mazda ATF-III and ATF M-V (Type M5).
Mazda Automatic Transmission Fluid: M5 (Mazda Part No. 0000-77-112E-01)This is Mazda's ATF M-V (Type M5) replacement fluid and may be the factory fill. I have no information as to its constituent base stocks and therefore don't know how to rate its synthetic status.
Red Line D4 ATF. Interestingly, this is a GL-4 rated oil, one of the two ATFs I know of that are so rated. According to Red Line, along with other usage, it is recommended for use where Mercon V is specified. It is not listed as a replacement for ATF M-V (Type M5) on their website. However, I e-mailed Red Line to ask them what they recommend and received the following reply from David Granquist of Red Line Oil:
Michael,
Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, glad to hear the products are performing so well in your Protege. The D4 ATF is suitable and recommended for use in the Mazda3 with A/T, it would satisfy the M-V fluid requirements.
Regards, Dave
Red Line Oil
I report, you decide.
I also e-mailed Torco asking about the suitability of their HiVis fluid for ATF M-V replacement use but have yet to hear from them. If they answer, I'll let you know their response. If not, I'll eventually remove Torco from our list. In the meantime it might be better to avoid its use.
Last edited by Siber Express; Dec 19, 2009 at 04:48 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 107
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From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
I've done the fluid change twice. I took it to the dealer and they drained the fluid/filled. This changed about 3.5 litres. The old stuff was still in the torque converter. If you want a full change. Google search changing mazda 3 auto trans. There is a good write up with pictures on how to flush the fluid. I eventually drained the fluid, dropped the pan, changed the filter and flushed the system. Has a built in pump already. The correct fluid is MV or M5. Not to be confused with Mercon V or Mercon 5. It is a thinner type of atf. Also note: the pan does not have a gasket, you will need to buy a gasket maker. Like Permatex Ultra Copper. It is also a pain to clean the old gasket stuff off as well. I bought 8 litres to get it done. 8 bucks a litre canadian.
Here is the guys website and link. Just go to tutuorials if it does not work.
http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=250
Here is the guys website and link. Just go to tutuorials if it does not work.
http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=250
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