Timbo Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) I’ve decided to pull the trigger on the Mazda oil pan, with drain plug, for the transmission, along with a gasket and filter set, but I want to make sure I’m getting the right ATF. Is this the stuff they use from the factory? The 5 quart bottle is $29 on Amazon. My local parts store wants $9 a quart. ? Edited November 13, 2021 by Timbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 You don't have to use Ford Mercon brand. There are other "low viscosity" ATF. I'm using Valvoline. It works fine, and a lot less expensive. I recall that other forum members have used several other brands also. Even Wal*Mart sells a SuperTech labeled for "LV" specification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 Cool, thanks. I'm about the change the transmission fluid in my XLT by draining 3 quarts at a time, via the drain valve in the Mazda pan I'm installing, but wasn't sure it would be OK to mix different kinds of ATF while I did. I won't be mixing synthetic and non-synthetic, but I'm unclear if there are incompatible differences between different kinds/brands of fluid, even if they were both non-synthetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 From my experience Triax Multi spec fluid hold up better than either Mercon or the Valvoline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 11:24 PM, Timbo said: wasn't sure it would be OK to mix different kinds of ATF while I did. You will be fine mixing brands. Just be sure that whatever fluid you choose, it is labeled as LV fluid. Don't use Dex/Merc, Mercon V, or anything else which is not specifically labeled as low viscosity. Also check the label to make sure that the fluid meets or exceeds Mercon LV specifications. My next ATF exchange will involve Mag1 ATF. There is an LV formula which I got at a reasonable price. Note that it is licensed by Ford. Timbo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dktool Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 When I did my pan drain plug and new filter the total drained out was 4 quarts, I used the Valvoline synthetic. Then after 500 miles I drained via the plug, this netted 3.7 quarts. Added that amount again with the Valvoline and the shifting has improved substantially over what it was when I bought it with 96k on the clock and who knows if it had ever been serviced. Post back after you install the Mazda pan, that was a great find ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 I bought the Mazda pan with built-in drain plug, but I'm unsure what kind of ATF the shop used the last time they flushed my transmission. It could have been the factory fluid, but who knows. Now I'm thinking maybe I'll let them do another flush and ask them what they used so I can top it off with the correct fluid when I do the pan swap. I doubt they used full synthetic, but if they did, it wouldn't do for me to top off with the wrong stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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