Mazda M-III ATF Substitute

[Number_35]

Hello all -

Our son has bought a 2002 Mazda MPV minivan. It has the 3.0 DOHC V6 and a 5-speed automatic. I'm looking for advice on automatic-transmission fluid (ATF).

The owner's manual specs Mazda's M-III ATF. From reading through many threads here, I believe that M-III has been superseded by M-V.

Many threads have recommendations for substitute fluids - e.g. Castrol Transmax Import, which meets the M-V specs.

I presume that any fluid that meets M-V specs also would be fine for a transmission for which M-III was specified.

The van has 120K km (75K miles) on it. I doubt the fluid has ever been changed. Although the transmission pan has a drain plug, I plan to drop the pan this first time, clean off the magnet, and change the filter. Regular drains-and-fills thereafter.

Anyway, any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.

 

[GSCJR]

I would use MaxLife MV ATF, see what I did there?

 

[Number_35]

https://oemeasymatch.com/products/oem-multi-vehicle-automatic-transmission-mv-fluid-2/

This looks promising - I didn't even know OEM offered ATF.

 

[GSCJR]

I prefer the Valvoline since it's fully synthetic. Further, by the time you buy the OEM 1L @ a time, it'll cost you a small fortune for an inferior product; IMHO. Plus, MaxLife ATF is available in 5L jugs.

 

[Number_35]

I prefer the Valvoline since it's fully synthetic. Further, by the time you buy the OEM 1L @ a time, it'll cost you a small fortune for an inferior product; IMHO. MaxLife ATF is available in 5L jugs.

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...2d889bd3/5ca3517a-e29c-e711-9c10-ac162d889bd3

Per Valvoline, Maxlife MV replaces both M-III and M-V.

Thank you, I'll try it.

 

[black thunder]

late last year I was doing some work on a Ford Fusion a family member recently bought. a Ford fusion with the mazda engine and transmission.

I searched all over trying to find a fluid that would meet the spec. I looked at castrol etc and did a ton of research and I wasn't happy with several different kinds of fluids like the castrol cvt or the castrol transmax both saying they were ok for the mazda m-lll spec. but seemed like different fluids for different vehicles, same with the valvoline fluids

that and a bunch of ppl said to use Mercon V which isn't the same fluid at all.

I ended up going with the Idemitsu type mv fluid for mazda transmissions.

I bought it through Rockauto, seemed to be priced the best through them.

 

[Number_35]

Perhaps I should play it safe and go with the Idemitsu fluid for now.

 

[GSCJR]

Seems pricey and why a Subaru specified fluid, @Number_35? This appears to be a catalogue error.

 

[kschachn]

Perhaps I should play it safe and go with the Idemitsu fluid for now.

View attachment 322300

There no assurance that fluid is the better or worse than any other aftermarket fluid.

 

[Number_35]

Seems pricey and why a Subaru specified fluid, @Number_35? This appears to be a catalogue error.

The Idemitsu fluid?

 

[Number_35]

There no assurance that fluid is the better or worse than any other aftermarket fluid.

I couldn't get any locally anyway, and want to get some new fluid in ASAP, so am going with the Maxlife MV for now. We will see ...

 

[michaelluscher]

You can still order M-3 ATF for ~$8 per qt

https://www.quirkparts.com/oem-part...91nDNC-Rik1n5v7RfQD8TE7MnGTW8b3VdP9CirfavjKUr

Or try and wheel and deal with this eBay listing

https://ebay.us/m/VI5RPf

Beck Arnley 252-2005 claims to be formulated for only M3/M5 ATF applications

 

[tom slick]

I used Maxlife for over 200k miles in my 2001 Mazda that called for M-III. Zero issues.

 

[Marcozi]

Redline D4ATF is compatible. And pricey!

 

[GSCJR]

The Idemitsu fluid?

Yes, the image you provided above, has HP printed on the front of the bottle; a Subaru variant of ATF.

 

[black thunder]

Perhaps I should play it safe and go with the Idemitsu fluid for now.

View attachment 322300

the fluid I used was type M not HP

the type M is rated for mazda m-v or the M lll rating

i thought I got it through rockauto, but maybe it was ebay or amazon...can't remember

 

[black thunder]

You can still order M-3 ATF for ~$8 per qt

https://www.quirkparts.com/oem-part...91nDNC-Rik1n5v7RfQD8TE7MnGTW8b3VdP9CirfavjKUr

Or try and wheel and deal with this eBay listing

https://ebay.us/m/VI5RPf

Beck Arnley 252-2005 claims to be formulated for only M3/M5 ATF applications

thats not a bad deal, when i was looking for OEM fluid i couldn't find it anywhere at that price

 

[daniel327]

I'd use Valvoline MaxLife because Valvoline.

 

[Number_35]

I'd use Valvoline MaxLife because Valvoline.

Yup, I did a drain and fill with Maxlife MV, just to get a bit of new fluid in there immediately.

Pan drop and filter soon.

 

[lmdshepherd]

Yup, I did a drain and fill with Maxlife MV, just to get a bit of new fluid in there immediately.

Pan drop and filter soon.

Any chance you could provide an update?
Any shifting/performance issues you've noticed since your "drain and fill" with Maxlife MV?

I'm curious to see if there are any shifting/performance issues using a lower viscosity fluid (Maxlife MV fluid viscosity is 5.9cst @ 100c) vs other user recommended fluids (ie Idemitsu M, Mobil 1 ATF, Castrol Transmax import...all have viscosity values in the 7.1 - 7.4cst @ 100c range).