2010 + Engine and Transmission Oil Specifications

DarkRyder

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Contributor
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11' Mazda 3i Touring
Found this while researching when to change my transmission fluid. A good bit of information I found on another forum.

Engine and Transmission Oil Specifications, BL (MY 2010-2013))

Updated September 2013

As the natural successor to the Protege, and to keep CP up to date as well as attracting new 3 members, CP had previously established a Mazda3 Forum for the 2004-2009 models, chassis code BK. The MY 2010 marks the introduction of the 2nd Gen 3s, chassis code BL. Although CP does not yet have a section for these cars, I thought it would be useful to post engine and transmission oil specs for this new generation of cars for the convenience of our members considering the purchase of a new 3, since such a thread already exists for the earlier models. Should a new section be established for the BL, this thread will be moved for inclusion there.

The following data is taken from Mazda USA.

Note the following changes:
1. Engine oil viscosity rating change for the MZR 2.0 L and 2.5 L engines from SAE 5W-20 to SAE 0W-20 after the 2010 MY.
2. M/T oil viscosity and Service Rating change for all models after the 2010 MY from SAE 75W-90, GL-4 or GL-5 to SAE 75W-80, GL-4

According to Mazda, some related parts were changed in the M/Ts due to the oil specification change. Consequently, if SAE 75W-90 is used in transmissions designed for SAE 75W-80, an increase in fuel consumption and harder shifting when cold can result. If SAE 75W-80 is used in transmissions designed for the heavier oil, an increase in gear noise may occur.

LF-VE MZR 2.0 L Engine
Engine oil capacity, with filter change: 4.3 L (4.5 US qts)
Viscosity 2010 MY SAE: 5W-20
Viscosity 2011-2013 MY: 0W-20 (Full synthetic specified)

M/T type and capacity: G35M-R, 5-speed, 2.77 L (2.93 US qts)
Viscosity 2010 MY: Any temperature SAE 75W-90, GL-4 or GL-5; Above 10* C (50* F) SAE 80W-90
Viscosity 2011-2013 MY: SAE 75W-80, GL-4

A/T type and capacity: FS5A-EL, 5-speed, electronically-controlled with manual-shift mode; 8.14 L (8.6 US qts) after a complete fluid removal
Fluid type: ATF M-V

PE-VPM SKYACTIV-G 2.0 L DISI Miller/Atkinson Cycle Engine (2012-2013)
Engine oil capacity, with filter change: 4.2 L (4.2 US qts)
Viscosity: SAE 0W-20 (Full synthetic specified)

M/T type and capacity: C66M-R, 6-speed, 1.65 L (1.74 US qts)
Viscosity: SAE 75W-80

A/T type and capacity: FW6A-EL, 6-speed, electronically-controlled with manual-shift mode; 7.8 L (8.2 US qts) after a complete fluid removal
Fluid type: ATF FZ

Important Information
Mazda has issued a TSB No. 05-003/13 in reference to the use of ATF FZ. It specifies that this is the only fluid specifically designed for use in the SkyActiv-Drive series AT. It's a low viscosity formula with less friction for better fuel economy and is colored blue for easy identification. The SkyActiv-Drive FW6A-EL AT with ATF-FZ is "filled for life" with no change intervals for the ATF required and flushing is not recommended as part of service maintenance. There are no oil cooler lines and the replacement ATF will come with a new oil cooler which is mounted directly to the case.

The following cautions are stated: ATF-FZ is designed only for SkyActiv-Drive series ATs. If an ATF other than ATF-FZ is used in the SkyActiv-Drive AT, the performance and reliability cannot be guaranteed. The resulting damage will not be covered by warranty. Use of ATF-FZ in non-SkyActiv-Drive ATs may result in serious internal damage that will not be covered by warranty.

Bottom line: Only use Mazda brand ATF-FZ in your Skyactiv-Drive AT. The part No. is 0000-FZ-113E-01 and is available in 1-quart containers in either a 4-pack or 12-pack.

L5-VE MZR 2.5 L Engine
Engine oil capacity, with filter change: 5.0 L (5.3 US qts)
Viscosity 2010 MY: SAE 5W-20
Viscosity 2011-2012 MY: SAE 0W-20 (Full synthetic specified)

M/T type and capacity: G66M-R, 6-speed, 2.85 L (3.01 US qts)
Viscosity 2010 MY: Any temperature SAE 75W-90, GL-4 or GL-5; Above 10* C (50* F) SAE 80W-90
Viscosity 2011-2012 MY: SAE 75W-80, GL-4

A/T type and capacity: FS5A-EL, 5-speed, electronically-controlled with manual-shift mode; 8.14 L (8.6 US qts) after a complete fluid removal
Fluid type: ATF M-V

L3-VDT MZR 2.3 L DISI Turbo Engine (2010-2013)
Engine oil capacity, with filter change: 5.7 L (6.0 US qts)
Viscosity: SAE 5W-30

M/T type and capacity: A26M-R, 6-speed, 2.5 L (2.6 US qts)
Viscosity 2010 MY: Any temperature SAE 75W-90, GL-4 or GL-5; Above 10* C (50* F) SAE 80W-90
Viscosity 2011-2012 MY: SAE 75W-80, GL-4

Mazda Synthetic Engine Oil
Now that Mazda calls for a switch to 0W-20 synthetic oil, the recommended lubricant is available in one quart containers from dealers for those who wish to do their own oil changes. It's manufactured in the USA by Idemitsu, the Japanese oil company, and contains Moly with an ILSAC GF-5 certification. This new oil was specifically created to reduce friction while providing maximum protection, along with delivering quick starts with fast lubrication in the coldest of climates, for the SkyActiv-G engines used in the 3 and the CX-5. It's the engine oil that Mazda recommends for use in all of its 2.0 L SkyActiv-G engines and the Mazda part# is 0000-G5-0W20-MQ. Along with the practice of most oil companies, a detailed list of its constituent base stocks is omitted but since it lists its ingredients as "Petroleum oil, Other," it's reasonable to conclude that it is a hydrocracked Group III synthetic oil.

Transmission Oil Service Ratings
The American Petroleum Institute (API) Service rating of a transmission oil refers to the amount of extreme pressure (EP) additives it contains. An API Service GL-1 oil contains no EP additives and a GL-4 Service oil contains about 1/2 the additives of a GL-5 Service oil. EP additives are composed mostly of sulfur/phosphorus compounds that can harm yellow metals such as copper or brass that are contained in some synchros. Through 2010, as clearly stated in the M/T section of the FSMs, either GL-4 or GL-5 oils are completely safe to use. Starting in 2011, only GL-4 oils are recommended. The API service rating is completely independent of the viscosity rating so, for example, an SAE 75W-90 oil could have a GL-4 or a GL-5 or even a GL-1 Service rating.

According to the Lubrizoil Corporation:
API Category GL-4 designates the type of service characteristic of spiral-bevel and hypoid gears in automotive axles oprerated under moderate speeds and loads. These oils may be used in selected M/T and transaxle applications.

API Category GL-5 designates the type of service characteristic of gears, particularly hypoids, in automotive axles under high-speed and/or low-speed, high-torque conditions. Lubricants qualified under SAE J2360 also satisfy the requirements of the API GL-5 service designation.

In point of fact, API categories GL-1, GL-2, GL-3, and GL-6 were declared inactive (obsolete) by an SAE Technical Committee in 1995, although oils may still be marketed with these designations. Concomitantly, ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) does not plan to maintain the performance tests associated with these categories, as in a number of cases these tests can no longer be run because parts or test installations are not available.

The importance of using the correct ATF fluid cannot be overemphasized. Mazda has issued a Technical Service Bulletin dealing with this issue. I will abstract a condensed version here since the original document deals with several models, not just the 3.

TSB: 05-002/11 - A/T - Correct Fluid Applications
Last issued: 02/23/2011; supersedes the previous bulletin 05-005/08 issued on 04/11/08

This TSB applies to all 2004-2011 Mazda3s with A/T. Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing the ATF. Using ATF other than ATF M-V (Type M5) in automatic transmissions designed to use this fluid may cause shift quality complaints. Using ATF other than Mercon V or Mercon LV ATF in automatic transmissions designed to use these fluids may cause transmission damage.
NOTE:
ATF M-V (Type M5) is not the same fluid as Mercon V or Mercon LV ATF.
ATF M-V (Type M5) has a greater viscosity than Mercon V and Mercon LV ATF at low temperatures.
ATF M-V (Type M5) has a greater anti-judder specification than Mercon V and Mercon LV ATF.

The correct Mazda Service Fluid is ATF M-V (Type M5) part #0000-77-112E-01.


So just what kind of oil is this Mazda product? I operationally define a true synthetic oil as one derived either from API Group IV (PAO) or Group V (Polyol ester) base stocks (or both) and specified as such by the manufacturer. This excludes oils derived from API Group III (hydrocracked petroleum) base stocks even though they can legally be sold as 100% synthetic formulations (for example, Castrol Syntec, Mobil 1), and any oil where the constituent base stocks are not explicitly stated as being of synthetic formulation.

As some of you know it's often extremely difficult to determine the constituent base stocks of an oil because most manufacturers don't specify this information. Stating an oil is 100% synthetic, in the absence of any real information, tells us nothing except perhaps the manufacturer has something to hide.

Fortunately, a small number of manufacturers do specify this information enabling those of us who care about this factor to select a suitable product. In other cases it's sometimes possible to obtain this information via a backdoor route - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - which under US federal law must be provided by manufacturers and importers of potentially hazardous chemical products, is one such avenue. An inspection of such a sheet for the Mazda ATF (Type M5) tells us that it is derived from a proprietary blend of "lubricating oils, petroleum, hydrotreated neutral oil-based (80 to 90%) and lubricating oil additives (15 to 20%)." In other words API Group III hydrocracked petroleum base stocks. To access the MSDS, go to:
http://www.worldpac.com/tagged/MazdaATF1.pdf
Look at Section 2 - Composition/Information on Ingredients

The MSDS also tells us that the manufacturer of the Mazda product is the Apollo America Corporation, now known as Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation since September 2006.

Consequently, those seeking a true synthetic ATF will want to go aftermarket, although I in no way mean to infer that the Mazda product is not a high quality ATF capable of fully meeting its service demands. After all, it's approved and sold by Mazda - enough said.

Notwithstanding the above, several aftermarket A/T fluids (true synthetic or otherwise) have been reconfigured to meet the requirements of both Mercon V and ATF M-V (Type M5). Always check the specs before using.

Power Steering Fluid (All Engines, All Models)
ATF M III, M-V, or equivalent (e.g. Dexron II)
 
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Thanks for the excellent information, Darkryder.

According to Mobile, the 4 synthetic oils they recommend for my 3 are: (in no particular order)

Extended performance 0W-20

Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20

Super Synthetic 0W-20

Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-30

Does anyone think that any of these would harm a Skyactive engine?
My guess is - probably not, so I do use one of these 0W-20 oils.
 
Anyone know how much AT fluid typically drains out on a 2010 3 with 2.5L? My dad wants to do a drain/fill on his. It seems in threads I see 3 quarts... just curious to find out how many quarts he needs to buy.

Thanks!
 
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