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. Mazda3 synchros do not contain yellow metals and consequently, as clearly stated in the M/T section of the FSM, either GL-4 or GL-5 oils are completely safe to use. 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.
Manual Transmissions
G35M-R (5-speed) - All 2.0 L and 2.3 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is ~ 3.03 quarts (2.87 L). The FSM specifies SAE 75W-90 (all season) or SAE 80W-90 if the temperature never falls below 50 deg F (10 deg C); API Service Grade GL-4 or GL-5.
A26M-R (6-speed) - 2.3 L DISI Turbo Engine, 2007-2009
The capacity is ~ 2.69 quarts (2.55 L). The FSM specifies SAE 75W-90 (all-season); API Service Grade GL-4 or GL-5.
Automatic Transmissions
FN4A-EL (4-speed) - All 2.0 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is 7.6 quarts (7.2 L) after a complete fluid removal. The FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
FS5A-EL (5-speed) - All 2.5 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is 8.6 quarts (8.14 L) after complete fluid removal. Again, the FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
Some of us thought (myself included) that Mercon V was a suitable replacement for the specified ATF M-V (Type M5) listed in the FSM. Apparently, this is not the case since the two are not interchangeable and use of the wrong fluid can result in problems.
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.
Mazda 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:
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.
Happy Motoring!
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.
Manual Transmissions
G35M-R (5-speed) - All 2.0 L and 2.3 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is ~ 3.03 quarts (2.87 L). The FSM specifies SAE 75W-90 (all season) or SAE 80W-90 if the temperature never falls below 50 deg F (10 deg C); API Service Grade GL-4 or GL-5.
A26M-R (6-speed) - 2.3 L DISI Turbo Engine, 2007-2009
The capacity is ~ 2.69 quarts (2.55 L). The FSM specifies SAE 75W-90 (all-season); API Service Grade GL-4 or GL-5.
Automatic Transmissions
FN4A-EL (4-speed) - All 2.0 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is 7.6 quarts (7.2 L) after a complete fluid removal. The FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
FS5A-EL (5-speed) - All 2.5 L Engines, 2004-2009
The capacity is 8.6 quarts (8.14 L) after complete fluid removal. Again, the FSM specifies ATF M-V (Type M5).
Some of us thought (myself included) that Mercon V was a suitable replacement for the specified ATF M-V (Type M5) listed in the FSM. Apparently, this is not the case since the two are not interchangeable and use of the wrong fluid can result in problems.
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.
Mazda 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:
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.
Happy Motoring!
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