First transmission drain and refill at 83K?

[Patman]

Is it really a thing with modern transmissions where they don’t recommend changing the fluid if it’s never been done and has high mileage on it? I thought that was only an issue with much older transmissions from decades ago?

 

[Elkins45]

Is it really a thing with modern transmissions where they don’t recommend changing the fluid if it’s never been done and has high mileage on it? I thought that was only an issue with much older transmissions from decades ago?

Automatic transmissions are pretty much a black box to me. I didn't buy my first automatic until 2017.

 

[Dave Hess]

Here is the ATF RockAuto sent me. The cap looks similar to Mobil type of bottles.

I will do a drain & refill today, next week do another.
Mazda needs 3.5 quarts to refill.

 

[Plawan]

I'm considering a 2014 Mazda CX-5 with 83K miles. The Carfax has a solid history of oil changes and two brake fluid flushes but no transmission service. I understand this Skyactiv six speed actually has a dipstick but it's hidden under the air box and bolted down because it's "lifetime."

Would you do a drain and refill for the first time at 83K or is it too late and just let it ride? If I buy it my inclination would be to get some of the old fluid out and some new in. but i could be persuaded that's the wrong idea.

Yes, I would do 2 or 3 drain and fills spread out with a thousand miles or so in between each to be sure to not potentially cause excessive cleaning at one time but slowly replace the fluid.

 

[panthermike]

I would! Did the first service on our CX-9 at 60k. Fluid was dirty but not horrible. I used Ravenol with no issues but the Aisin option is appealing, especially for the price. I did 3x drain/fills in a weeks time. At 88k now and shifting as it always has. Likely do another drain/fill by 100k.

 

[camrydriver111]

I just did a drain and refill on a 2012 with 100k miles. I regret wasting a few hours of my weekend changing fluid that doesn't need to be changed.

The fluid was transparent with no metal. I was surprised how clean it looked. There was no difference in shifting after changing at 100k.

I know it's not scientific but there are UOAs with high mileage that show the fluid is fine

On the skyactiv routine changes are a waste of time. Most drivers don't change and there is no epidemic of broken transmissions.

If you have no issues I would wait at least 100k or 150k miles before thinking of changing. I also wouldn't touch the pan.

The idea of not servicing high mileage transmissions is not applicable to modern transmissions with synthetic fluid. Everyone says not to change at high mileage but when is the last time you saw a transmission die from a fluid change?

I used a kitchen scale to weigh the fluid that came out and weighed the fluid going in. Then I did the level check with the engine running and had to top it off. It is slightly underfilled like other people reported.

 

[dfarr67]

I often wonder about the stories of trans dying shortly after a service. For GM maybe it was earlier thicker Dex fluids that the trans was design with changing to later thinner Dex product that simply didn't do the job.

 

[camrydriver111]

I plan to do my CX-5 and my Mazda 3 at around 60K. Drain and fill. Probably drop pan and replace filter close to 100K.

My only issue is finding the correct transmission fluid. There is no aftermarket. Only the Mazda stuff at $26/quart…..

I paid 18 CAD per quart at a Mazda dealer. If there are multple dealers you could try checking if they have the same prices. If a dealer has an online store they might have a discount for online orders.

The pan does not have a separate gasket. You have to scrape it away and RTV it. There is more risk than benefit from dropping the pan IMO.

 

[JHZR2]

Too late at 83k?!? We all get it that lifetime isn’t really lifetime, but ATFs have been viable for 100k service in normal conditions since the late 90s.

I’d have no concerns unless there are other signs the vehicle was abused.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Good luck flushing that clean. Gonna need a lot of fluid. Spill and fill. Repeat, like 5X

 

[Donald]

I'm considering a 2014 Mazda CX-5 with 83K miles. The Carfax has a solid history of oil changes and two brake fluid flushes but no transmission service. I understand this Skyactiv six speed actually has a dipstick but it's hidden under the air box and bolted down because it's "lifetime."

Would you do a drain and refill for the first time at 83K or is it too late and just let it ride? If I buy it my inclination would be to get some of the old fluid out and some new in. but i could be persuaded that's the wrong idea.

Yes. Why not?

 

[pbm]

Good luck flushing that clean. Gonna need a lot of fluid. Spill and fill. Repeat, like 5X

I changed the OE ATF in our 21’ CX-30 at 37K using the Aisin equivalent FZ fluid. The old stuff looked fine but I was happy to ‘refresh’ the additives. I plan on changing it again at 80 to 85K. I really don’t think it’s necessary to do 5 D&Rs and it would also be very expensive.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

No joke, on # 5 D&R's on an 06' Camry. 120k. Never replaced. This stuff was NASTY. The filter was so clogged, it ripped holes thru itself to allow fluid to pass unfiltered. I'll get it clean. A lot of wasted ATF though, and $$$$$. Shifts great though. That's why I'm cleaning it out. Solid transmission.

 

[brages]

83k doesn't seem that old to me

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Got this 06' Camry used. Original owner.120k. Got passed downed to the kids, until they got their own cars, or married off, then wound up back in the original owner's hands. I don't know if this car was abused by the 3 kids, but it shifts well. Just VERY bad ATF that needs to be flushed out. This car will be going to my daughter when she starts driving soon. So, I'm trying to cross my T's and dot my I's so she has no trouble with it. Yes, it will cost me some money in ATF, but got a new filter in there and a Magnefine inline on a cooling hose. Fluid was never changed. This is the best we can financially do for her. Better than nothing.

 

[Kurtatron]

1) My 2005 Ford Focus transmission fluid was never changed for 150k miles and 20 years. I drained and filled. Ran perfectly.

A couple months later, I flushed out all old fluid with new. Runs perfectly fine today.

2) 2004 Lexus RX330. Has 200k miles and transmission fluid was only changed once at 90k miles.

I drain and filled followed by a flush a few months later. Shifts same and fine today.

83k is nothing. Just do a drain and fill or a flush and move on with life.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Kurtatron, I'm not disagreeing with the way you handle you're stuff. You drove it those miles, ( I'm assuming). You know if you beat them or not. This 06' Camry had holes in the 100% clogged transmission filter and used to have ski racks on the roof. I'm sure this guy's kids beat the daylights out of this car, as most teenagers do. I've never come across a transmission in this bad of shape and still working. Testament to the old Toyota transmissions. Bulletproof. I'm doing this to save myself more work down the line. I'm shot, spent, washed up, full of arthritis in my back and still recovering from 2nd back surgery. We had her too old. That was our mistake. But, I will do anything for my daughter. I have other medical conditions compounding my back problems. I'll be 59 soon. Wife is 51 with a lot of medical conditions also. So, to the rest of BITOG land, service you're transmissions as you're owner's manuals advise you too,,, and you're automatic transmissions should be fine.

 

[Cheetah-kins]

I agree with the others and would definitely change if it were my car. In fact we have done that in both my wife's BMW SUVs we bought around 2009 and 2019. Despite 'lifetime' trans fluid we had the one we got in '09 flushed and filled at 120K miles - the fluid was pretty nasty too. Years later we sold that one with 230K miles on it and no transmission issues at all - also had it changed once more around 200K miles. We still have the 2nd vehicle which we had flushed and filled at around 60K miles. It's at 120K miles now and the transmission works perfectly.

Not changing the fluid is much more harmful than changing it, imo.

 

[tblt44]

Drain and refill then next year drain and refill again