Transmission fluid lifetime

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Here is a quote from Mazda about their transmission fluid.

Then they say suggested service interval at specific time/mileage in the Operator's Manual.

I see a lot of car manufacturers with sealed transmissions have the same statement. What does lifetime mean for a Mazda Skyactiv manual transmission?

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IMO that first sentence says it all...it lasts until the trans dies. Whether the trans dies from fluid degradation or other causes is anyone's guess.
 
They are pretty clear and I think you're mis-reading it. If the vehicle has a Skyactiv transmission, the ATF is lifetime. The owner never needs to change the fluid (according to Mazda).

If it does not have a Skyactiv transmission, follow the schedule in the owner's manual.

If it's a Ford-sourced transmission, follow the owner's manual.
 
Even before so-called "lifetime" fill, most cars never got a transmission fluid change and arrived to the junkyard on their factory fill ATF
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There are two Skyactiv transmissions. The Skyactiv Drive is a automatic and the Skyactiv MT.
 
Originally Posted by Bill_W
There are two Skyactiv transmissions. The Skyactiv Drive is a automatic and the Skyactiv MT.

The "MT" is their manual transmission. Auto and manual transmissions are worlds apart in design, complexity, and so on. Can't really even compare the two.
 
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by Bill_W
There are two Skyactiv transmissions. The Skyactiv Drive is a automatic and the Skyactiv MT.

The "MT" is their manual transmission. Auto and manual transmissions are worlds apart in design, complexity, and so on. Can't really even compare the two.

Agree. But Mazda did not mention anything but Skyactiv.
 
Its your choice. Follow the manual and wish the "Lifetime" is >= your lifetime. Or change the fluid and roll the dice that the trans lasts 2 lifetimes.

The old F150 has had 3 changes and the trans is still smooth as butter @ 210K+
 
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I have never seen a sealed manual transmission. Do they exist?

And as Kestas inquired... how does skyactiv technology affect the life of the transmission fluid, whether it's automatic or manual? To my knowledge, skyactiv is an engine technology. It sounds like they are saying that the transmissions paired to skyactiv vs non-skyactive engines are different transmissions, which is possible but makes little business sense... in my cluttered mind
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I hate to answer a question with a question, but why are you asking an Internet forum about the meaning of their verbiage? They are the only ones that can provide the answer.
 
A lot of aftermarket
Originally Posted by The_Nuke
I hate to answer a question with a question, but why are you asking an Internet forum about the meaning of their verbiage? They are the only ones that can provide the answer.


For the ND Miata a lot of aftermarket transmission fluids are recommended. Someone at Miata.net quoted this from Mazda site. The Operator's Manual calls for service, either severe or normal period. The OEM specs calls for Original Mazda Long Life 75w-90 IS and then says if that fluid is not available then any GL-4 75w-90 will do but may cause hard shifting in cold weather.

Everything points to You can change the fluid at the mileage/time per schedule. Then today I see this from Mazda. So I looked around on the internet and see the "Lifetime Transmission fluid" verbiage on quite a lot of car manufacturer transmission. Wondered if this is a work around legal thing.

As far as sealed transmission, from what others have said if there is no dipstick it is that definition. But what does anyone know?
 
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It often depends on where you drive, how you drive, and so forth.

As a fail safe I generally recommend chaning transmission fluids every 30k on midsize and larger front wheel drive vehicles.

If it's a truck 50k will be perfectly fine in most cases.

If you're performing rideshare in a temperate climate, it's best to get it done once a year.


As an aside, vehicles that do not have sealed transmissions greatly out perform those with sealed units on average due to the servicing issues.

http://www.dashboard-light.com/
 
When I see the words "lifetime fluid" I laugh, and then follow what I think is the appropriate interval to change the fluid based on how the vehicle is used. Or I consult experts on the topic, and arrive at an interval. Anyone I consider an expert laughs when they hear the term "lifetime fluid."
 
Originally Posted by Bill_W
As far as sealed transmission, from what others have said if there is no dipstick it is that definition. But what does anyone know?

That is one "condition" that frequently seems applied for sealed transmissions, i.e. lifetime fluid.

Dig deeper into your owner's manual and look for a "severe service" schedule. Those will often give mileages to change or at least inspect fluids, filters, etc.
 
Originally Posted by Kestas
What is SKYACTIV technology, and how does it affect the fluid life?


SKYACTIV is Mazda's whole theory for new cars starting in the 2012-13 range. Trying to make engines more efficient through DI along with redesigning the whole vehicle around the efficiency concept. The FZ fluid is blue and we stock it, I just shipped some to a member here.
 
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by Bill_W
As far as sealed transmission, from what others have said if there is no dipstick it is that definition. But what does anyone know?

That is one "condition" that frequently seems applied for sealed transmissions, i.e. lifetime fluid.

Dig deeper into your owner's manual and look for a "severe service" schedule. Those will often give mileages to change or at least inspect fluids, filters, etc.


As of right now there is no such thing as a Lifetime ATF.
 
Originally Posted by MolaKule
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by Bill_W
As far as sealed transmission, from what others have said if there is no dipstick it is that definition. But what does anyone know?

That is one "condition" that frequently seems applied for sealed transmissions, i.e. lifetime fluid.

Dig deeper into your owner's manual and look for a "severe service" schedule. Those will often give mileages to change or at least inspect fluids, filters, etc.


As of right now there is no such thing as a Lifetime ATF.


Yes and No. There is another thread on this sun section with a guy that's got a Sequoia with 250,000 miles with no fluid changes. Transmission's fine. Let's be honest here- many don't keep a vehicle for this long-thus to the original line of owners (how ever many it has been) the transmission fluid has been "lifetime".
 
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