Hi, new here, hopefully someone can help. I own a 2014 Mazda 5 with around 130,000 kms on it. I recently got a transmission fluid flush done at the dealership. It says on the invoice that they used 12 litres to flush it, I checked the dipstick in the transmision and wiped it on a rag and was surprised with the color. I was expecting it to be redish but it was not. Picture below, the left one is the current transmission fluid color that was supposedly flushed and the one on the right is what a new bottle of Mazda 5 Transmission fluid looks like(redish). Did the dealership just scam me and did no work on it??

 

Welcome to the forum

 

The color is normal for Mazda automatic transmission fluid, which is a greenish to a dark bluish color.

traditionally speaking automatic transmission fluid is actually died red since the 1950s to make sure that motor oil wasn’t put in automatic transmissions.

currently many available aftermarket standard and performance, automatic transmission fluids have various colors and not traditionally all red. In fact, virgin transmission fluid is actually semi-clear.

however if you have any doubts about this, you can always have a sample of your transmission fluid analyzed. Not sure what companies there are in your country here in US use and have used for over 20 years for myself and customers Blackstone oil labs.

 

I've attached a photo, taken minutes ago of a drip of trans oil, purchased from a Mazda dealer. As you can clearly see, it is bright red/pink, not blue or anything of the sort. This was purchased 3 months back from the dealer in Kamloops, BC as well as a large dealer in the Vancouver, BC area. This is the oil spec'd by mazda, Ford uses it in their vehicles as well for this trans. It does not look like they did the flush as old and contaminated oil has a brown-ish color which lingers even when 4 - 5 litres is replaced via suction. This from personal and quite recent experience. Perhaps the US Mazda dealers use a different oil, color, etc?

 

Not sure what the point is? Mazda has both died red atf and Thier newer atf bluish green?
red , semi clear, clear , blue , purple and other colors of the rainbow if it meets the basic requirements can be mixed ?

Here is my atf @ my resent (Saturday ) 5k miles service drained from the pan. The original for my 2018 Mazda3 was the blueish green . I did a complete transmission fluid replacement service removing Mazda atf and replacing it with Castrol less then a few thousand miles on the odometer.

 

I'm guessing the question is whether the dealer did the flush or not. Do you have some evidence that mazda changed the color of their fluid? can I ask which castrol ATF you used? Thanks!

 

Sorry I don't keep up on what bottling company and or ATF supplier including Auto manufacture decide to change and use any specificcolor die for their ATF?
This is my thread http provided bellow and if you look through it you can see I have done several pan/filter and oil or pan oil changes on my Mazda. As well a record of having several samples of the ATF analyzed from the very first MAZDA ATF Fluid "greenish/blue.
I always recommend on any forum platform that you always use the proper ATF that at least meets the auto manufactures recommendation until your Warranty has expired.
** Page 43 Mazda3 Things I like to do - Page 43 - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums

Please make sure you read Page #1 first post info about my thread before you decide to ask question on it! Thank You!
ASE


For any seeing that picture of the oil sample removed from my resent transmission oil pan service, that photo is not shopped> I did not notice the smiling face until a member here pointed it out. LOL
It was a combination of the flash on my cell phone and my garage lighting.

 

Here's the Service Bulletin where Mazda says NOT to use Mercon or other fluids:
SB-10097348-2532.pdf

 

When any member post these TSB they should first read the complete TSB. Part of which is that they are intended specifically for a Skilled Technician.
So ask yourself are you one?
Nothing in the thread has any member or actually trained in automotive service or many DIY has said to use anything that was not at least minimum to Mazda's specifications. Some responses from members have stated using other then MAZDA fluid and those fluids meet the specification set by Mazda. Not one member ever suggested or uses MERCON in any Mazda Skyactiv transmission

All a person has to do is READ the choice of ATF and see if it has the set specification to replace or to mix with Mazda ATF Fluid!

CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/ equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies, customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in writing. Bulletin No: 05-002/13 © 2013 Mazda Motor of America, Inc. Last Issued: 03/11/2013 Page 2 of 2 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICE APPLICATION




I strongly have been opposed to the general public getting these TSBs but the laws changed and now with access of them on the internet more customers seem to feel they can tell a service shop or Mazda what is wrong with their Mazda. LOL sort of like automotive anxiety disorder or automotive hypochondria. LOL I would guess on a weekly basis in the high-volume service shop I manage a customer hands me a TSB or has a printout obtained from the inter telling me how to fix/service their vehcle and only about 1 % have are somewhat correct. LOL

Just consider what you all do for a living and profession and have training or schooling obtaining a certification or degree that takes $$$ and lots of studding and then a DIY or person walking in off the street s gets a printout they found that resembles their issue and tells you how to fix or solve the problem.

I repeat again, any ATF fluid supping companty that is in what i consdier top level suppier has you vehcle ATF type or meets the requiered auto manufacture specification can be used in place of a factory ATF

RED LINE
AMZOIL
and my go to ATF is CASTROL for Mazda.


BTW maybe some should look into who Mazda gets their motor oil and transmission oil from.