What ATF?

[kevinmcc]

Since I am replacing all the fluids in my 2003 auto protege sedan. I was wondering the proper oil and way to change it.

Is it just drain the fluid and replace it through the dip stick?

The car has 34k miles on it.

 

[concept]

Yes, drain the tranny fluid just as you would the oil, except I recommend that you buy a graduated translucent bottle to measure the amount of fluid you drain. Drain it into an oil pan and then pour that into the graduated container. If you don't have a graduated container, you will have to fill until the dipstick reads full. There will be a different Hot and Cold level line on the dipstick. ATF fluid type is ATF type M-V or equivalent (e.g. DexronIII) in my 2002.
I change my fluid every 2 years to be on the safe side.

 

[kevinmcc]

Yes, drain the tranny fluid just as you would the oil, except I recommend that you buy a graduated translucent bottle to measure the amount of fluid you drain. Drain it into an oil pan and then pour that into the graduated container. If you don't have a graduated container, you will have to fill until the dipstick reads full. There will be a different Hot and Cold level line on the dipstick. ATF fluid type is ATF type M-V or equivalent (e.g. DexronIII) in my 2002.
I change my fluid every 2 years to be on the safe side.

Awesome, do you think I should go to the dealer for OEM fluid? And is their a filter?

 

[concept]

No, you can buy Dextron III or newer at any auto parts store. They can also look up the correct fluid, specifically for your car.

 

[kevinmcc]

Im thinking about going with Redline D4, will this mix with the rest of the fluid that will be trapped in the rest of the car?

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=30504

 

[concept]

Yes, it is fully compatible with petroleum-based fluids.

 

[kevinmcc]

I just drained out the old fluid and put in new redline! That old stuff was so black!

I will drain and refill after my next oil change (4000 miles)

Pic is the old fluid!

 

[concept]

Yep, that definitely needed changing!

 

[kevinmcc]

Feels good to have it changed out, even though the car doesnt act or shift any different it makes me feel good thta it is fresh!

So I got new coolant, oil, an atf... anything else I should change?

 

[concept]

Yes, the power steering fluid can be changed with a turkey baster bulb or a large syringe. My MX-5's reservoir is so deep that I had to buy a fluid pump at Harbor Freight, but a reservoir that deep is uncommon. Yours is much shallower. Also, the next time you change brake pads, flush or have flushed the brake fluid.

 

[kevinmcc]

Yea I might just use my Redline D4 ATF fluid I have left over from the transmission change.

Someone told me it will mix and is compatiable with the OEM fluid. Might as well!

 

[16vPete]

Yup, I definitely oughta change mine!

 

[kevinmcc]

Yup, I definitely oughta change mine!

Its simple man! You dont even need to jack up the car if you have decently long arms haha! I realized that and it made it 10x better and faster.

 

[brandini]

Yes, drain the tranny fluid just as you would the oil, except I recommend that you buy a graduated translucent bottle to measure the amount of fluid you drain. Drain it into an oil pan and then pour that into the graduated container. If you don't have a graduated container, you will have to fill until the dipstick reads full. There will be a different Hot and Cold level line on the dipstick. ATF fluid type is ATF type M-V or equivalent (e.g. DexronIII) in my 2002.
I change my fluid every 2 years to be on the safe side.

ATF M-V is not the same as Dextron III, though it is in the ballpark. M-V is closer in type to Mercon V but is tweaked for Mazda transmissions.

I've used Amsoil ATF in my Mazda6 which requires MV and it was great. Amsoil touts better cold-weather shifting and that first shift from 1-2 really was a lot smoother when it got below freezing. They also have a cheaper option the OE Synthetic so if you want to do it on a schedule vs fluid analysis to monitor life it's less money to throw away but should provide the same performance made for shorter drain intervals.

 

[kevinmcc]

ATF M-V is not the same as Dextron III, though it is in the ballpark. M-V is closer in type to Mercon V but is tweaked for Mazda transmissions.

I've used Amsoil ATF in my Mazda6 which requires MV and it was great. Amsoil touts better cold-weather shifting and that first shift from 1-2 really was a lot smoother when it got below freezing. They also have a cheaper option the OE Synthetic so if you want to do it on a schedule vs fluid analysis to monitor life it's less money to throw away but should provide the same performance made for shorter drain intervals.

I ended choosng Redline D4.

 

[brandini]

You'll like it, especially compared to the OE stuff.

And just to put this out there, if anyone goes the fluid exchange method from old fluid: Disconnect the battery to let the trans re-learn from scratch as such a drastic change can sometimes cause weird behavior for a while that you can avoid or have the trans "pay more attention" during a quick-learn phase.