Mazda ATF-FZ Alternatives (List)

[AdmiralYoda]

I put together a list of alternatives for the OEM Mazda ATF-FZ automatic transmission fluid. The manufacturer datasheets specify Mazda ATF-FZ as an application. I've included general internet prices and kinematic viscosities as well.

1. OEM Mazda ATF FZ. $11.00/qt. Color - Blue, KV@40C - unknown, KV@100C - unknown.
2. Ravenol FZ Fluid. Fully Synthetic. $15.75/qt. Color - Blue, KV@40C - unknown, KV@100C - unknown.
3. Aisin ATF-MFZ. Synthetic. $9.10/qt. Color - Blue, KV@40C - 27.8, KV@100C - 5.8.
4. Amsoil Signature Series Fuel Efficient ATF. Full Synthetic. Color - Red. KV@40C - 30.8, KV@100C - 6.3.
5. Valvoline Max-Life Multi Vehicle ATF. Full Synthetic. $6.48/qt. Color - Red. KV@40C - 28, KV@100C - 5.9.
6. Valvoline Extended Protection ATF. Full Synthetic. $9.55/qt. Color - Red. KV@40C - 28, KV@100C - 5.9.

As far as I can tell, that's it. Fun fact: Ravenol and Aisin specifically call out the Mazda ATF-FZ part number (0000-FZ-113E01) as a direct replacement.

Anyone know of any other options? Anyone with experience on the alternative fluids? Thanks!

***EDIT - missed a couple
7. High Performance Lubricants - ATF Green. $13.66/qt. Full synthetic. Color - Green, KV@40C - 33.1, KV@100C - 6.37.
8. Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF. $9.99/qt. Full Synthetic. Color - Red. KV@40C - 33, KV@100C - 6.4.
9. Castrol Transmax ATF/CVT Universal. $5.99/qt. Full Synthetic. Color - Red. KV@40C - 34.2, KV@100C - 7.1.
10. Castrol Full-Synthetic Transmax Multi-Vehicle. $9.00/qt. Full Synthetic. Color - Red. KV@40C - 30.2, KV@100C - 6.0.
11. Liqui-Moly Top Tec ATF 1800. $9.65/qt. Full Synthetic. Color - brownish. KV@40C - 28.5, KV@100C - 5.8

 

[Kira]

#1 FTW.

When Sis bought her 2012 Mazda3 I bought FZ at the parts counter with a "new member of the Mazda family discount".
There were no posts regarding using alternative fluids.

 

[pbm]

Where can OE Mazda FZ ATF be purchased for $11 a quart?

PS: I used the Aisin FZ for a D&R in my daughters CX-30 and it worked great. I read on this forum that Mazda will not honor the warranty on their Skyactiv transmission if it comes in with red fluid (rather than blue fluid like the OE FZ fluid...)

 

[Pew]

Mazda FZ ATF is over $17/quart at the parts counter. I've seen dealerships selling online for $11/quart but with shipping added in, it probably ends up being the same price.

 

[Stumpy]

I have used Valvoline or Castrol Import ATF plus the appropriate LubeGard additive in all the Asian cars I have i need over the passed 25 or so years. Changed the fluid every 25 to 30,000 MI and every car I ever traded or sold still had the original transmission with no work done on it. My daughter presently drives an RX 330 with 300,000 miles on it with the original transmission. My other daughter drives a 2006 CRV with 200,000 miles. My wife drives a Mazda CX-9 with 200,000 miles. I'll have Castrol or Valvoline import ATF with lube guard in it and they all shift like they're brand new.

 

[dubber09]

Where can OE Mazda FZ ATF be purchased for $11 a quart?

PS: I used the Aisin FZ for a D&R in my daughters CX-30 and it worked great. I read on this forum that Mazda will not honor the warranty on their Skyactiv transmission if it comes in with red fluid (rather than blue fluid like the OE FZ fluid...)

Replying just 'cos I bought some FZ ATF last night at a local Mazda dealer @ C$14.99/1L which is about US$11/1qt.
Also got oil filter for 2.5L non turbo, first time I saw a filter without ADBV too; I never serviced Mazdas in the past.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I used #3 with good results; will use again.

 

[Urshurak776]

My wife’s 2024 CX-5 uses something different. Don’t see any equivalents for it.

ATF-A7

 

[dubber09]

I wonder what they are supposed to use in Mexico.
It's C$33 per 1L in Canada, ultra low viscosity fluid.

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

Last trans drain and fill I used Aisin off RockAuto. A lot cheaper than my local dealer and it was blue. I don’t notice anything different from Mazda FZ that I’ve used for at least 3 or 4 drain and fills prior to switching to Aisin.

 

[The Critic]

One more:

https://partsfinder.bilsteingroup.com/en-US/article/febi/177652

 

[dubber09]

FZ has a few alternatives including MaxLife, A7 on the other hand!?

 

[Egg_Head]

Stupid me thinks any one of the fluids that is blue has a shot at being "correct".

 

[TehXII7]

Castrol Transmax Universal ATF/CVT has both Mazda MV (older Mazda's) and FZ (newer Mazda's) listed. After doing some research and not having the spec sheets in front of me I would use Castrol Transmax Import with MV listed on the back for older Mazda's. I had a bunch of the Universal stuff on hand so for my new Mazda I used it for the first 2 drains, then the third drain I had OEM Mazda FZ and some Lubegaurd platinum. I think the Universal stuff is viable because I believe it has a higher viscosity which is what FZ has. I have the spec sheets somewhere.

My drain/fill is actual syphon replace from the top, honestly really easy to do. Then turn the air box towards vehicle with no filter on and run to check before putting everything back. There were only so many affordable alternatives in my area. In 30/40K miles I'd do it the same way, finish with the OEM I bought second hand.

I also reset the transmission learning and probably unrelated but cleaned the MAF since I ran it without a filter there for a bit. Acceleration just seemed slow from a complete stop but from what I read it is also just these cars. I try to not use sport mode (I don't think I should have to).

 

[bcpap54]

We bought a 2017 CX-5 for my wife last year and like all used vehicles I buy I perform a complete fluid refresh. What came out from the previous owner appeared to be red Valvoline Maxlife. Now I've compared Mazda blue FZ to Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF and the the viscosity is difference right out of the bottle is night and day on a 85F day. FZ is like water. So the question is the same as 0W20 motor oil for that is recommended in US sold naturally aspirated 2.5L Mazda's vs. the rest of the world calling for 5W30, is Mazda FZ low viscosity called for to meet strict North American CAFE requirements? I did end up putting in Mazda FZ but it's watery thinness did not leave me feeling to confident for longevity.

 

[Dave Hess]

I would not worry about FZ ‘watery thinness’ of this ATF.

I do drain / refills every 50K miles, no filter changes cause I’m not messing with removing pan and resealing it.

 

[inivanoff1]

Hello, this is my first post, I read BITOG from a long time ago.

But I have collected some more infromation about Mazda ATF FZ alternatives. On an another forum (not sure if I can post a link) I saw a member that have sent to a lab a sample of fresh Ravenol ATF FZ and used OEM fluid. From there I collected all the information for Ravenol ATF FZ including some research on their Safety Data Sheet where some metrics are written).

I upload a table where I have collected all the info for:
- Mazda ATF FZ (OEM, TotalEnergies for Europe)
- Ravenol ATF FZ (kinematic viscosity at 40 °C is between 25-26 cSt, therefore the viscosity index can vary a bit)
- Aisin ATF-MFZ

Here in Bulgaria (Europe) Ravenol has offical shop and it is easier to obtain authentic Ravenol ATF FZ for a fair price. I have bought Ravenol ATF FZ for my Mazda 3.

We do not have access to Aisin ATF-MFZ.

My Mazda 3 is still under warrantty approaching 20,000 miles and I think is time for a first partial drain and fill just to clear some initial particles. My dealer does not want to replace the fluid and, of course, says it is lifetime. I have always worked myself on my cars and the dealer is ok that I am doing my oil changes, but they do not want they or I to change the ATF.

In my country is very hard to find authentic original Mazda ATF FZ (it is made by TotalEnergies for Europe and there are many counterfeits from some shops for a very cheap prices which I do not trust, too much oil canister doubts, I am not sure what ATF is in the bottle with what viscosity, etc. even the color is blue).

The official dealer has 20 L boxes of ATF FZ which are very expensive and as I said they do not want to sell me OEM ATF FZ.

So I think my only option for now is to try drain and fill with Ravenol ATF FZ. I will try to dump 3-3.5 litres from the OEM fluid and mix it with the Ravenol and test it. If everything is fine, after 100-200 miles I will do some another drain and fills to move entirely to Ravenol).

In the past on my Infiniti G37 I have used successfully Ravenol ATF J2/S for the 7-speed Jatco transmission without problems.

I hope this information will be helpful and I continue on the research of these fluids. I will post information once I change the fluid.

 

[panthermike]

FWIW, I contacted Aisin to find out whether their FZ is approved or just suitable for use? Attached is their response. I've heard conflicting reports that they actually manufacture Mazdas ATF. Not sure but this makes me feel better about using this in our CX-9 and not having warranty concerns.

 

[inivanoff1]

FWIW, I contacted Aisin to find out whether their FZ is approved or just suitable for use? Attached is their response. I've heard conflicting reports that they actually manufacture Mazdas ATF. Not sure but this makes me feel better about using this in our CX-9 and not having warranty concerns.

Their answer is very politically correct
Yes, it is not only suitable, it complies with the specification. The same applies to Ravenol. However, this does not mean that Aisin or Ravenol are OEM-approved. The only officially approved fluid is Mazda OEM ATF with the Mazda logo (manufactured by Idemitsu or Total, for example).

What is interesting is that in all technical service bulletins and in the service manual it says “Only use ATF FZ”, without the words “genuine” or “Mazda OEM”. At the same time, the bulletins show pictures of Mazda OEM bottles.

For Mazda A7, however, the service manual has been updated with the explicit wording “Use genuine ATF A7”.

That said, I still think that using blue Aisin or blue Ravenol ATF is acceptable. If partial drain-and-fill procedures are done correctly and the filter is replaced from time to time, there should be no real warranty concerns, because the transmission will continue to operate properly.

What I find interesting is how the Aisin or Ravenol fluid looks after 5–10k miles. Does it turn yellow-brown like the OEM ATF FZ?

In the case of a warranty concern, if the dealer drains the oil, would they even be able to tell—based on color alone—whether the fluid was OEM or Aisin/Ravenol?

 

[RonLoveMazda]

Don't look like an amazing saving. I guess if you have Cvt that ask for it ever 30k,it adds up. Mazda FZ is "Lifetime", I ran a sample test at 80k. They say to push it to 110-120k. (I didn't since I did a 2x drain and flush already). So I'm pushing fluids to at least 100k on my other Mazda. I had Honda Accord and did the Castrol one years ago. The car shifting became trash. Went back to Oem and no issue.