Castrol Import Multi -Vehicle ATF

[charbaby]

I just changed the ATF in my daughters 06 Mazda3 2.0L 4 speed A/T. I only did a drain/refill. Measured what came out(aprox 3.3 qts) and replaced with the same amount. Used Castrol IMV ATF and after driving around for a while, the transmission seems to shift just fine as it shifted fine anyway.

When my daughter purchaced the 06 M3 in Aug.09, the odometer had just shy of 50,000 miles and the ATF looked cherry red(probably changed prior to sale). Now with 62,000 miles, I wanted to change again as she does alot of driving. I'll keep up the ATF on a regular basis.

The fluid that came out had a darker color. Not brown but, sort of magenta/deep purple and smelled just fine. Not alot different smelling that the new ATF that I poured in. I want to keep it this way.

From what I've read here and other sites, these transmissions seem to be forgiving as to the ATF's used. Some people stay with Mazda MV, while others use Mercon V and still more people use just about anything pertaining to a Multi Vehicle ATF such as the Castrol IMV that I used along with those who use Mobil 1 MV ATF or Amsoil or even MaxLife. Everyone claims that their transmissions shifts just fine on what ever their using. This is great!

 

[jumpr]

I just did two drains/refills with Castrol Import MV ATF on my Subaru 4EAT trans last weekend. The downshift "bump" that I was getting from 2 to 1 is gone or greatly reduced, and I might be imagining things, but upshifts feel crisper too. As long as your fluid meets spec, it's not super important what fluid you use. The most important thing you can do is actually swapping the fluid out, which puts you well ahead of most of the car-owning population!

 

[Eddie]

My MAZDA specs say use Mobil #3309 which is Toyota ATF T-IV. I purchased T-IV at Toyota dealer for $5.xx per quart. I do see the Castrol Import ATF meet the specifications for same.

 

[Robenstein]

When I switched out the fluid in my Toyota Type IV car I used Maxlife DEX/MERC ATF which has Type IV listed as an application on the back of the large jugs. It shifts wonderfully.