Hi,

I have a 2006 Mazda3 4-door 2.0L with automatic transmission. My mechanic recommended I change the transmission fluid when I got an oil change at about 45k miles and I did. 2000 miles later I was at my dealer for unrelated reasons and they recommended an ATF change as well! Obviously I didn't do it, and looking at the fluid myself there was no obvious sign of a problem, so I assumed that it was just the dealer trying to suck some extra cash out of me. Last month I took it for a 60k service (not at the dealer) and once again I was told that the ATF needed changing. And again, I don't know what he's basing it on because it looks fine to me.

After all these attempts from multiple shops to get me to pay for an ATF change I decided to investigate to figure out for sure (or with some confidence) when and if I should actually change/flush the ATF. Lo and behold the owner's manual says you NEVER have to flush or change the ATF - only to inspect it twice a year to make sure there are no leaks. Other online sources say you should have it done every 30k (or 45k or 60k) no matter what the owners manual says. But why would Mazda say it doesn't need doing if it does? It's hardly the most expensive service and if it really needs to be done then the reputation of the cars is going to suffer when the transmissions start failing.

My plan is to just check it occasionally to make sure it looks ok and the level isn't dropping and otherwise ignore any future recommendations to flush it. Anyone think that's a bad idea or have any suggestions / other sources of info on ATF?

Thanks (sorry for the long post).

 

All fluids need changing at some point... and it's cheap insurance, as long as the person doing it knows how to correctly. A Bozo putting incorrect fluid or the wrong filter, or forgetting to do something that needs doing, like a bolt or nut, will certainly do more harm than good, but that's always been the case.
I find it odd that the owners manual states that. I have the 5-sp manual and so never paid much attention to that part of the manual. I will have to check the '04 manual and get back to you....

 

Yes, it's true that the (my '04) manual states to only inspect up to 100,000 miles too. But it also states to, "Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary."
I just think it makes good sense to replace it once in a while. I would use some of the good synthetic ATF's that are out there these days. Maybe every 50k miles??

 

Regarding the service guys comments of changing the fluids. They may just be asking do to your mileage. No other reason. Like the dealer, keeps records of what you have had done there. They would only know what they have done. Since you had your fluid changed elswhere, they would be looking at what they have done. The service advisor would have been better off asking "Due to your milage, have you had your transmission fluid changed yet?"

 

Thanks for the inputs. I agree that it makes sense that it should be changed once in a while - 50k seems reasonable. Otherwise I'm not going to take any action on future suggestions to flush the ATF unless I see that it's dirty myself.

 

Great Robert!! See me in 50k!!
Here is your trans filter and gasket. They run about $20 @ AutoZone.



http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...&parentId=42-0
Like I said, cheap insurance... especially with the cost of a tranny rebuild these days.

Chris, you are correct too, and I wish I had thought of it first.
It would have made more sense for the Service Writer, et al to ASK what service has been done before ***-u-ming it wasn't.