Hi,

I am using Mazda 6 . It's going to be 9 years since I bought the car. Some say that the car's AT oil no need to change, some say yes after certain KM.

Can someone advice on this?

Thanks.

What Mazda means by lifetime i supposed is 100,000 km. But since the car is 9 years already ill just change it and from there change every 40,000km like how it used to be in the old days. I doubt there are any transmission with actual lifetime oil. To be safe just change at intervals.

Thank you

If I'm not mistaken, the service book has not specified any ATF replacement for the Skyactive powertrain

But surely any fluid will degrade over the year and for an extreme climate like Malaysia, I think it is necessary.

and the ATF filter in the gearbox itself needs to be replaced

Owner Mazda 5 non-skyactive here

This post has been edited by hakimnen: Jul 17 2024, 12:50 PM

what the mileage on the car now?

260KM +++

Lifetime is a scam actually as nothing lasts forever.

260,000 km is way over for fluid change

I think Mazda has changed it during one of their major services. But recently I have stopped doing my service at Mazda center. So, when I asked around about this, I get answers like this. Looks I like I need to change the oil.

Not to give you false hope, if long time no change AT gear oil you might in surprise after change new AT oil. Due to long term of oil degration & wear & tear, the gearbox internal already suit with the dirty, thicken up AT oil. There will be possibility of even worse gearbox feel after change of fresh AT oil. So be prepare, 50:50 chance of getting it as i already seen a lot of case at my mechanic shop due to neglected oil change. Mazda skyactive a lot of owners 50~60k all go out change the AT oil themself and already feedback very dark, dirty AT oil.

I am sorry, I don't get your message.

Easy said, if your AT oil did not change frequently like every 50~60k your internal gearbox mostly already wear a lot.
Since you mentioned 260k on meter now, if long time no change like over 100k no touch the gearbox oil until now, you might got 50% chance of gearbox got issue after fresh AT oil change, as the new AT oil will make your gearbox felt even more obvious of the wear & tear if long time neglect.

This.

My sifu mechanic last time say drain out abit, and pour in new, sort of slowly 'dilute' old oil concentration

Worry if fresh oil will unclog all deposits and lodge it in the components, causing more harm then good

Maybe darin out 25 percent, then pour in new, after few k km repeat, then after few round no issue then replace.

But in any case 260k km, the gearbox has served you well

Mazda dont change gearbox oil. it is not stated in their service booklet.
if not stated wont be performed.
especially Mazda offered free service

You should try change every 40,000km. Oil is cheap. Transmission is not.

mix by 1/4 new atf
3/4 old atf. no issue then u proceed 2/4 and 3/4 upon next services

Actually my mechanic also tot about it, usually for these old neglected gearbox they will advice owner to open up the AT oil sump below and clean and change the AT filter thus so call "deposits" mostly is not the main reason. After the AT oil change they will do AT gearbox calibration again, usually after calibration done no issue than owner save a lot of money.

Seen few case after do but worse condition 1 when open the AT gearbox for checking they found the gear clutch pads mostly already worn, previously due to oil is thick and dirty the oil itself help stick the clutch pads together during shifts to prevent slips. The clutch pads are similar to small brake pads which the function is to prevent slips when engaging gears. (AT gearbox inside got many layer of this small clutch pads and steel plates for each different gears.)
So when new fresh AT oil go in, due to the clutch pads already worn it make it more easier to slip.

lifetime means the duration of the validity of the warranty coz they don't really bother what happen after warranty.
since now out of warranty, best to change it.
edit: but like some others said, best change half half (or any ratio) instead of all of it at once.
just let the mechanic know, they can comply.
you just need to pay the same labor as if you replace all but the fluid should just pay whatever you need. of course likely you will have balance of fluid coz its hard for mechanic to just pour out exactly the amount per bottle.

This post has been edited by cempedaklife: Jul 18 2024, 10:33 AM

TS, report back once you get the fluid replaced in either way (full flush or partial dilute) , curious to know if got any effect.

But no doubt changing the fluid is better than keep running with the old, just a matter of the approach

Make sure ts use correct atf. Older mazda use toyota gb 3309 atf which is not for skyactive gb.