Vital Fluid (ATF+Oil question)

[DrunknFoo]

In general as most of us are aware, service manual/maintenance doesn't state when to change the ATF fluid, it just says make sure you have enough and fill it so you do?

Anyway, any recommendations of when/intervals if should get the fluids replaced?

On a 16000kms ATX tranny would a general drain and refil be suitable? or would you recommend a flush?

(I'm assuming after 3-4 interval drain/refill will eventually clean out the old ATF that I have now and will be ok by then...)

and lastly, what ATF and engine oil would you recommend? (for winter and or for summer?)

Silently awaits to get flamed as a noob and/or waits for this thread to go off topic LOL* :'(

[FLIPDADY]

Usually recommend drain/flush at around 48km or later. Drain and fill you can do sooner if you want. I had my ATF fliud flushed at around 48km.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

here's a write-up from m3f (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=22539.0) on how to change the ATF.

the ATF needed has to be Mercon V compatible. You can't go wrong with Redline or Amsoil for synthetic ATF. There was a thread on m3f about 909/Sport Compact Industries having issues with Mobil1 Synthetic ATF (but with a turbo installed) and reverted back to Castrol Mercon V (http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=58475.msg1021258#msg1021258).

as for engine oil, redline, amsoil, mobil1, royal purple in 5w20 should be good synthetic oils. if you want to deviate from the 5w20, castrol syntec 0w30 ("German Castrol") is good...as are Motul products. you can use pretty much any synthetic all year-round.