Hi
Should you still change "lifetime" transmission fluid? I have a 2011 mazda 3 GX AT, i bought when it had 96,000 km on it. Now sitting around 134,000 km. Not sure if transmission fluid was ever replaced in the previous ownership. Ive read up on why you should & shouldn't change it. Would it be a good idea to change it ?
Yes. "Lifetime" is just marketing BS. What is the "lifetime" of the fluid? Well, it is whatever the manufacturer says. So if you do not change it and you have problems, you take it in and they'll say "Oh...well the lifetime of this transmission has passed. Would you like us to get you a new one? How about you just trade it in on a new car?"
Go ahead and change it.
@mod_man
Thank you for your answer. I have a similar problem to the above. I have a peugeot 3008 1.6 ehdi with 147,000 miles on it that has never had a transmission fluid change. I am looking to change it but I've watched videos where scotty doesn't recommend to flush it out and just to top it up after draining it. Is this still the right call to make? Also, it's an electronic transmission system, so not a traditional automatic. Do I still use atf? Thank you for your help and advice in advance.
I believe you are ok just topping it up after draining everything. I would check your manual to see what type of fluid is recommended. If you don't have the owners manual, they can be found online in .pdf format for free fairly easily.
@mod_man
Thank you for your reply. Can I assume the same advice applies to the power steering fluid, and just sucking out and refilling is all that's needed rather than a full flush. Interestingly, the information for transmission/power steering fluid specification in the peugeot manual does not state what to use and they stick with their advice that a change is not needed. I have asked a franchise dealer but they are unwilling to tell me unless I actually buy it from them. Not cool!
Yes I would change it lifetime to the engineers who design those means the fluid will last as long as the transmission and if the fluid is dirty the transmission will not last as long.ask them how long their warranty exists after that warranty when it does break no lifetime is over guess who pays for a new one, you
