Interesting that Valvoline says their fluid meets both specs, yet Mazda put out a bulletin saying they’re not interchangeable. Only way I could imagine is if their fluid exceeds both specs?
Putting multi vehicle atf in mazda cx 5 trans requiring FZ
- Thread starter Smelltharosez
- Start date
Not sure, but mine definitely takes A7. Says so in my manual, and both my 2023 Mazda 3 and my 2024 CX-5 have cylinder deactivation (8th digit of VIN is ‘M’)
Also shows that in bulletin I posted above.
AMSOIL lists this and says it fits my Mazda 3. I selected VIN code M (cylinder deactivation) also. When I look at the specs though, it does not list anything at all for Mazda. So, not sure…..
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Thanks. The bulletin is clear. Since Amsoil says they don't have a compatible fluid, I'd be a bit wary. I am not saying a Uni ATF won't fit, but I would love to know the particulars. I mean I don't even know the vis of A7.
Wait - here: https://kemi.is/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TOTAL-MAZDA-ORIGINAL-OIL-ATF-A7-TDS.pdf
Thanks!
Amsoil is now listing a couple of compatible fluids, but when I look at specs it doesn’t list Mazda. So, not really sure.
BUT for this:
That's why I asked what transmission part number. If you look at the specs, this is the best fit:
https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-sig...c-automatic-transmission-fluid-ulv/?zo=515729
The A7 is very very low viscosity ATF
https://www.amsoilcontent.com/ams/lit/databulletins/g3110.pdf
They do but for the other transmission. Alldata ran them together and has not updated for the bulletin.
THEN I asked Amsoil Tech. No current fit. My two cents again, the ULV ATF is the closest, but not recommended. Yet.
Based on what Mazda said A7 and FZ are not compatible, but if a 3rd party design a fluid that works with BOTH that doesn't mean A7 is just FZ.
In the end who claims what has to be backed by their own testing. Fluid blenders buy additive packs from additive suppliers, they are responsible for selling you something that someone got their backs. Car manufacturers do the same but they also have to sell the cars and if the fluid is the reason they can't sell a car that is smooth or cause damage, the problem is they get recalled and people stop buying their cars. If someone use aftermarket fluid and the shift sucks or worse the transmission broke, they are only spending money rebuilding a couple transmission. They won't get the blame if a few used cars do not sell well or the brand of the car is damaged. They take different risks and come to different conclusions on the formula.
In the end who claims what has to be backed by their own testing. Fluid blenders buy additive packs from additive suppliers, they are responsible for selling you something that someone got their backs. Car manufacturers do the same but they also have to sell the cars and if the fluid is the reason they can't sell a car that is smooth or cause damage, the problem is they get recalled and people stop buying their cars. If someone use aftermarket fluid and the shift sucks or worse the transmission broke, they are only spending money rebuilding a couple transmission. They won't get the blame if a few used cars do not sell well or the brand of the car is damaged. They take different risks and come to different conclusions on the formula.
Thanks all. I’ll have to see what part number is specifically in my car.
He IS AI.
I think the newer Mazdas with cylinder deactivation have a different torque converter even though they have the same trans. Something about dampening the deactivation vibrations maybe.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
According to my manual, my '24 2.5T takes FZ, All the rest take the A7
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2025
- Messages
- 3
I completed the drain/fill. the old fz fluid looks black in the pan after 80,000km on it, but light gold colour on paper towel, and light clear gold when thin stream of oil was draining out after bulk of it drained out.
The main thing i'm not happy about with this castrol transmax stuff so far is that it had a bit of like fibrous red sediment at bottom of empty bottle darker than the trans fluid, *** is that?
I took car for a test drive, and so far i'm happy with the way it shifted, but not sure what to say until i take it for another longer drive which i'm about to do. The shifting felt a bit different but cant say if its due to the fluid cause it also did this when i did drain/fill with the ravenol fz 80,000km ago.
The main thing i'm not happy about with this castrol transmax stuff so far is that it had a bit of like fibrous red sediment at bottom of empty bottle darker than the trans fluid, *** is that?
I took car for a test drive, and so far i'm happy with the way it shifted, but not sure what to say until i take it for another longer drive which i'm about to do. The shifting felt a bit different but cant say if its due to the fluid cause it also did this when i did drain/fill with the ravenol fz 80,000km ago.
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2025
- Messages
- 3
Ok, i went for second longer drive, going my regular route 30km in and 30km out.
Trans is shifting absolutely beautifully! smooth as butter shifts and cleared up some of the harsh thumpy shifts it was doing at times.
literally shifting like it doesn't know the difference between the fz vs the multivehicle, exact same crisp shifts, just smoother now.
Trans is shifting absolutely beautifully! smooth as butter shifts and cleared up some of the harsh thumpy shifts it was doing at times.
literally shifting like it doesn't know the difference between the fz vs the multivehicle, exact same crisp shifts, just smoother now.