Originally Posted by timoboy
*Update*
Used my Costco Membership parts discount (15%) at a different Mazda dealer that sells their parts for MSRP before discount (no markup), got OEM fluid for around $25/qt.
Car shifts like new. Literally "sucks" into the lower gears with gentle shifting. I didn't own the car new so I can only guess but it was stellar already with 165k. Now its better, considering its got the original clutch I think it wasn't abused so this is a very close approximation of new shift feel. I had a buddy who daily drives an S2000 try it, he was amazed how good the transmission in this thing is.
After refilling, I started up cold and put into reverse, could tell right away it was fixed, gear engagement N -> R -> 1 no problem. Silent operation and no noticeable difference between cold and warm just like I remembered with the old fluid.
Just some more very un-scientific observations:
OEM Mazda fluid is a dark amber with a strong gear oil odor. Sloshing in the bottle and pouring, it is definitely "thicker" than the MTL however flows just as quickly if not faster. When poured each drop bounces then spins around the funnel all the way down through the spout.
The non Skyactiv MT models use totally different transmissions and seem more tolerant of fluids outside OEM, we have a '06 5 with the 5MT, it has MT-90 and seems happy.
This is special stuff, very deserving of the $25-30 a bottle Mazda commands. If you have an early ('12-13+?) Skyactiv 6MT, I personally wouldn't use any other fluid, or change it prior to 100k, YMMV.
Timoboy, can you please tell me what part number or description the Mazda fluid is?
I have 2 graphics, attached. Is that the product?