Mazda 3 manuals

Mazda 3 Service Manual: Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Inspection [FS5 A EL]

Mazda 3 Service Manual / Drivetrain / Transmission/Transaxle / Automatic / Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Inspection [FS5 A EL]

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Condition Inspection

1. One way of determining whether the transaxle should be disassembled is by noting:


ATF Condition

Possible cause

Clear red

Normal

Light red: pink

Contaminated with water

  • Broken oil cooler

  • Poor filler tube installation:

    • Problem could be occurring to parts inside the transaxle by water contamination. It is necessary to overhaul transaxle and detect defected parts. If necessary, exchange transaxle.

Reddish brown

Has burnt smell and metal specks are found

Deteriorated ATF

  • Defect powertrain components inside of transaxle: Specks cause wide range of problems by plugging up in oil hose, control valve body and oil cooler.

    • When large amount of metal specks are found, overhaul transaxle and detect defected parts. If necessary, exchange transaxle.

    • Implement flushing operation as there is a possibility to have specks plugging up oil hose and/or oil cooler.

Has no burnt smell

Normal

  • Discoloration by oxidation


Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Level Inspection

CAUTION:

NOTE:

1. Inspect the ATF level before driving the vehicle.

a. Park the vehicle on level ground, and then engage the parking brake and use wheel chocks at the front and rear of the wheels.

b. Verify visually that there is no ATF leakage from the oil hose or housing.

c. Start the engine and warm it up in the P position.

CAUTION:

d. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean while the engine is idling.

e. Install the dipstick and remove it again.

f. Verify that the ATF level is in the range as shown in the figure.


2. Inspect the ATF level after driving the vehicle.

a. Shift the selector lever and pause momentarily in each position (from the P position to the D position) while depressing the brake pedal.

b. Drive on city roads at a minimum of 5 km {3 mile}.

c. Connect the M-MDS to the DLC-2.


d. Verify that the ATF temperature is 60—70 °C {140—158 °F} using the M-MDS.

e. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean while the engine is idling.

f. Verify that the ATF level is in the range as shown in the figure.


Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Adjustment [Fw6 A EL]
CAUTION: Only adjust the ATF level when the ATF temperature is 45—55 °C {113—131 °F}. If the ATF level is incorrect, it could damage the transaxle. Do not add ATF over the specifica ...

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) Inspection [Fw6 A EL]
CAUTION: If the ATF level is not within the specification or ATF is not adhering to the dipstick after warming up the engine, do not drive the vehicle. Otherwise, the transaxle could be ...

Other materials:

Air Bleeding
CAUTION: If the strainer is removed, impurities may penetrate the power steering system and damage it. To prevent this, always bleed air with the strainer installed. Do not maintain the steering wheel fully turned for 5 s or more. The oil temperature could rise and damage ...

Rear Scuff Plate Removal/Installation
1. Detach tab A while pulling the rear scuff plate in the direction of the arrow (1) shown in the figure, then detach hook B, clips C, pins D while pulling in the direction of the arrow (2). 2. Detach tab E while pulling the rear scuff plate in the direction of the arrow (3) shown in the fig ...

Starter Interlock Switch Inspection [Mzr 2.0, Mzr 2.5]
CAUTION: Do not reuse the starter interlock switch if it is removed from the vehicle even once. Replace with a new starter interlock switch when installing. 1. Remove the battery cover.. 2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.. 3. Disconnect the starter interlock switch connec ...

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