Mazda dealership overfilled my transmission (with pictures)

[penz08]

I believe the level may be lower while running. That's why I asked. So it might not be overfilled.

Either way, the fluid doesn't have a good appearance. I would think it would look a little better with at least one drain and fill.

yeah I actually thought it would've been a tiny bit more clear and bluish, that seems very dark.

 

[penz08]

There is nothing wrong with that fluid condition. On a FZ transmission, the fluid does not stay blue for very long.

I should compare with 2-3 drain and refill, then compare the new and old. The difference would be more evident in my opinion. There is too much old stuff in there.

 

[LWood]

I should compare with 2-3 drain and refill, then compare the new and old. The difference would be more evident in my opinion. There is too much old stuff in there.

To get an accurate measurement of the transmission fluid you should get the engine and transmission to operating temp, leave the vehicle running on a level surface, chock the wheels and check transmission fluid in Neutral. This is assuming you just drove the vehicle, if not run through all gears,then Neutral and check fluid level. There is a likely chance your fluid may be low now.
Larry
Ps. Use the parking brake while in Neutral just for safety.

 

[penz08]

To get an accurate measurement of the transmission fluid you should get the engine and transmission to operating temp, leave the vehicle running on a level surface, chock the wheels and check transmission fluid in Neutral. This is assuming you just drove the vehicle, if not run through all gears,then Neutral and check fluid level. There is a likely chance your fluid may be low now.
Larry
Ps. Use the parking brake while in Neutral just for safety.

negative, there is no way it would go down by almost two quarts of oil just by passing it through gears. If I had to completely drain the pan and then refill back, then yes I would do this procedure at the right temperature, go through all the gears and add to adjust as necessary. There was just a ridiculous amount of fluid over the full mark, like way too much.

 

[PimTac]

@The Critic is correct. There is a specific procedure and temperature for checking the transmission fluid.

 

[RamFan]

negative, there is no way it would go down by almost two quarts of oil just by passing it through gears. If I had to completely drain the pan and then refill back, then yes I would do this procedure at the right temperature, go through all the gears and add to adjust as necessary. There was just a ridiculous amount of fluid over the full mark, like way too much.

Unless you saw what the OE fill was when cold you have no way of knowing that.

As others have stated, per Mazda the accurate way to read the level is at operating temp with the vehicle running.

 

[The Critic]

Unless you saw what the OE fill was when cold you have no way of knowing that.

As others have stated, per Mazda the accurate way to read the level is at operating temp with the vehicle running.

122F fluid temp, minimum.

 

[penz08]

Unless you saw what the OE fill was when cold you have no way of knowing that.

As others have stated, per Mazda the accurate way to read the level is at operating temp with the vehicle running.

it should be between the two marks on the dip stick (50 degrees C - 120 degrees F). This is where it should be at operating temp.

 

[penz08]

Unless you saw what the OE fill was when cold you have no way of knowing that.

As others have stated, per Mazda the accurate way to read the level is at operating temp with the vehicle running.

The only way of knowing is plugging the car on the computer and check the running temperature and/or a bit less accurate but still efficient way is to use and infrared temperature gage at different areas on the pan/dip stick and get an average temperature.

 

[Accent Abuser]

That fluid looks trashed, it needs two more drain and fills at least.

 

[drtyler]

Keep in mind the torque converter can drain down aftet shutting off, causing fluid level to read too high when cold and not running.

 

[The Critic]

Keep in mind the torque converter can drain down aftet shutting off, causing fluid level to read too high when cold and not running.

Exactly. It usually reads significantly higher.

 

[penz08]

Exactly. It usually reads significantly higher.

yes, it is higher in park and/or when cold. It should be in between the two lines where the two temperature readings are. I did checked it in neutral after a 20 min drive on the highway. It reads right in the middle of those two marks where it should. When in park, it goes to the 122 degree F mark. So I estimate it goes down around half a quart in neutral.

 

[dihi22]

that fluid was NOT changed. i've dealt with dark fluid, if you just drain and fill the pan and get 1/3 out it will start to look dark red. There is no red tint to that at all. They didn't drain it, and for some reason added a quart.

 

[penz08]

that fluid was NOT changed. i've dealt with dark fluid, if you just drain and fill the pan and get 1/3 out it will start to look dark red. There is no red tint to that at all. They didn't drain it, and for some reason added a quart.

this Mazda fluid is the FZ one, its a blue fluid, not red like most popular ATF. It is still very dark though.

 

[justalubetech]

In my experience one drain and fill isn't usually enough to change the color of the fluid on these Mazdas - I change the ATF myself on our Mazda5, and its usually nearly black again in a couple hundred miles.

(Doesn't seem to be a problem, been this way since I got it with 40k on it and 100k later the fluid is still nearly black after a drain and fill)

 

[nicholas]

Trans fluid should be 50 celcius to get a correct measurement.
Don't rely on a cold measure.
You can use a scan tool or an IR gun down into the dip stick hole.

It's a good 20-30 min drive to get it up in temp