Changing Transmission Fluid (Auto)

[Bluemazda3-S]

Hey everyone.. I've done tranny fluid changes on other vehicles, is it the same procedure on a Mazda 3 2.3? Is there a filter, or not (reading a debate on another post), are there any tricks? Is it just remove the pan bolts, get covered in tranny fluid, replace filter (if there is one) replace gasket on pan and reinstall and refill?

[aris]

The dealer told me that their is no filter to change..their is a screen in their but thats it..so if you are doing it your self just drain the fluid and then put new fluid.

[Bluemazda3-S]

okay...cool.. have you done it yourself? I wonder if it would be worth my while to get another pan and get a drain plug put in there/

[aris]

okay...cool.. have you done it yourself? I wonder if it would be worth my while to get another pan and get a drain plug put in there/

nope...mine is manual....but my bro girl friend has an 08 with auto and she got it flushed at the dealer.

It would make it alot easier to do if you get a drain pug...but you should still remove the pain to get all the dirt out..my $.02

[Bluemazda3-S]

yeah... my g/f got an oil change today and they suggested a tranny fluid change at 150bux.. figured i could do it myself for 50 or so

[Krisekca]

There is a filter .. That you can replace ... ( you can get it from dealer or aftermarket )
You should do a flush ... Via Cooler line ...
( its way better then machine flush I don't recommend machine flush)
Its easy to do it ...
Good idea is to install magnafine inline filter after .. its only 15$

if you will just drop pan. there will be oil in Torque Converter left .. that's why ... Flush via cooler line is best way to go about it ...

[Wes08M3]

There is a difference between a transmission flush and just draining the fluid in the pan.

If you get a flush you will be "flushing" out all of the old fluid thats stuck in the torque converter which you cannot do by just draining the fluid.

So if you don't mind spending the extra 100 dollars it's definately the better way to go. If you just drain the pan you'll just be mixing the new fluid with the dirty fluid. Although if you only have say 50000km on your car just doing a drain and fill wouldn't be so bad. Then once you get up to 100000km do the flush. Or something along those lines.

Just my opinion.

[freddymak18]

i was told a flush is not neccessary til 150xxx km...

[Flagrum_3]

i was told a flush is not neccessary til 150xxx km...

With the Mazda3 auto, a flush is Never required, unless there is signs of burnt fluid! ....this is according to Mazda!!, and as it is a sealed unit! ...But as a good 'Preventative Maintenance Step' you might consider a 'Total Flush' as discribed by Krisekca, replacing the oem fluid with a good quality synthetic fluid at anytime!


_3

[Krisekca]

I did flush via cooler line ... Well 1hr .. 9 Quarts of Amsoil ATF ...
Going to Install Magnafine Filter ..

[mazda lover]

DIY Fluid change...hope these help

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=66369.0

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=22539.0

[Krisekca]

I Installed Magnafine filter ... Well it was not that easy ... I didn't like bending hoses to much ... so I used some brass 90 degree connections looks like Frankenstein but work .. I will post some pictures so It will be a breez for someone else to do it ...

[Extreme Lubricants]

draining takes out about 40% on these Mazda3s and flush is 100% change. Filter is kind of touch to change.

[Krisekca]

Drain and Refill is really waste of the ATF. flush is so easy .... And results are better.

[07carbon3]

just checking to make sure if this is the right redline atf to buy when i do a flush

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30504

[zzz3]

just checking to make sure if this is the right redline atf to buy when i do a flush

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30504

That's the one. Where are you getting it from?

[07carbon3]

That's the one. Where are you getting it from?

ok cool how many gallons would i need to get? and not sure yet im going to see if rick can get it.

ill let you know if he can

[zzz3]

ok cool how many gallons would i need to get? and not sure yet im going to see if rick can get it.

ill let you know if he can

5 quarts at least. Check the fluid finder on amsoil's website. It will tell you specifically how much you need.

And you just missed rick's sale on redline d4 ATF quart bottles ($12 iirc).

[TheMAN]

you need about 10 quarts for a flush
only about 3 quarts for a drain and fill

no point doing a drain and fill if you're switching to synthetic

[07carbon3]

you need about 10 quarts for a flush
only about 3 quarts for a drain and fill

no point doing a drain and fill if you're switching to synthetic

ok cool thanks
amsoil site is saying 7.7quarts but guess thats just for a drain n fill

[TheMAN]

7.7 is for a dry transmission.... but 10 quarts is a good fudge factor considering you'll have to pour fluid down the dipstick tube and watch what is coming out to change colour... and you can't stop it from pumping out fast enough!

[07carbon3]

7.7 is for a dry transmission.... but 10 quarts is a good fudge factor considering you'll have to pour fluid down the dipstick tube and watch what is coming out to change colour... and you can't stop it from pumping out fast enough!

awesome thanks

now i'm on the hunt for the lowest price on redline atf so i can get my dad to take into the shop and flush that shiz out

[TheAnswer_03]

7.7 is for a dry transmission.... but 10 quarts is a good fudge factor considering you'll have to pour fluid down the dipstick tube and watch what is coming out to change colour... and you can't stop it from pumping out fast enough!

Would 9 quarts work? I checked the owner's manual first and it says the 2.3L takes 8.something quarts so I ordered 9 quarts. I had to order the syn ATF from the US and don't want to pay customs/brokerage fees again.

[TheMAN]

yeah I think you'll be ok... just be quick with shutting off the engine as you're done flushing
best to have a buddy sit in the car so you can just tell him to shut it off!

[krimsalt]

With the Mazda3 auto, a flush is Never required, unless there is signs of burnt fluid! ....this is according to Mazda!!, and as it is a sealed unit! ...But as a good 'Preventative Maintenance Step' you might consider a 'Total Flush' as discribed by Krisekca, replacing the oem fluid with a good quality synthetic fluid at anytime!


_3

Also be advised that sometimes the flush makes your car worse on end. Usually it's only after you begin to experience some slippage between the car changing gears. But in most cars, the bandclutches in the transmission get worn in to be used to the fluid thats aging with it. It's fuild that acts as friction. So just be weary of it, it's a nonessential service

[TheMAN]

on a well maintained transmission or if it's the first time you're changing the fluid at the recommended interval, then flushing won't hurt a thing.... it needs to be done anyway when switching to synthetic, otherwise it's a big waste of money as you're mixing the fluid with a lot of the old stuff still inside the tranny... if you're being cheap and just putting cheap fluid in, then you don't need to flush