2012 Mazda MX 5 Miata NC Manual Transmission Fluid Change 

Torque Spec. (ft-lbs/N-m) Spark plugs 11-17 (132-204 in-lbs) Engine oil drain plug (19mm) 22-30 / 31-41 Gearbox drain plug (24mm) 29-43 / 39-59 Gearbox fill plug (square) 18-29 / 25-39 Differential drain plug (24mm) 29-40 / 39-54 Differential fill plug (23mm) 29-40 / 39-54

You helped me change my transmission and differential oil yesterday! One tip is to not take out the fill plug after making sure you can loosen it. Keep it finger tight when you open the drain plug and the oil will come out slowly and will fall straight down instead of missing the catching pan. Then, if you want, you can slowly loosen the fill plug if you want the oil to come out faster and be able to make sure it doesn't spill all over the place.

Worth mentioning is also that this is a six speed transmission. My five speed looks pretty different underneath! :-)

The Mazda L 2.0 engine is actually made by Mazda not Ford. The transmission was made by Ford. When Mazda and Ford split around 2012 Mazda redesigned the engine and called it skyactiv, yet Ford still utilizes the older technology of the Mazda L engine for their current EcoBoost products. Mazda actually still produces some Mazda L engines in Japan for use in Ford vehicles. Mazda no longer uses the L engine design in any of their vehicles.

Great video thanks, this will be my next maintenance project for my NC.

This really is one of the best car tutorials I’ve watched, thank you heaps!

Excellent Video; however, I had trouble finding info on Automatic Transmission fluid changes. On the Manual Trans. there are Fill and Drain bolt (top-Bottom 23mm and 24mm) BUT on an Automatic Transmission there is a 24mm Top fill bolt (on the side) and a regular Transmission Pan drain plug "under" the transmission with a 9/16 bolt. Also the Side Top Fill bolt has a "rubber" washer gasket (NOT a crush washer) so just snug it to keep it drain coming out (wouldn't torque it hard). My 2007 Car Manual calls for JWS-3309 Trans fluid and I found three types on EBAY/Amazon...Mazda Fluid, Aisin ATF-OT4 and Idemitsu ATF Type M. Also the Automatic Transmission takes three and 1/2 quarts to fill. The rear Differential has two bolts 23mm fill and 24mm drain (both with crush washers and torqued to 25-33 ft lbs). I used Redline 75w90 gear oil..took less than 1 quart.

I changed my 2012 6 speed to the Motorcraft oil and it feels notchier than before. I'm going to wait for about $K miles to see if it gets any better.

I notice that you made certain that you could open the fill nut before you opened the drain nut. Always a good idea!

TYVM for your video! My shifting is starting to suck, so I'm going to Ford to pick up the stuff! Oh, and I'm glad to see where to put my oil catch pan! LOL

If you're in the UK then DuratecNC do the best gearbox oil, it stops those difficult cold 1st to second shifts which is where the metal on the drainplug there ^ comes from.

I wish this trans fluid was still $22/quart. It's doubled since I last did mine in 2016. Damn inflation!

Hi there thanks for the video. Where did you get that sweet little siphoning gadget you used to fill the oil? Thanks.

Is your Miata able to sit on four jack stands evenly? Trying to do this job but only seem to be able to get it to sit on 3 of the 4 stands (with a tiny gap in between the pinch weld and the 4th jack stand)

2:10 A simple box end wrench should fit easy. They’re cheap too, and a better option than a pliers/channel locks

Did you end up using the leftover bottle, or is 2 full bottles plenty? I just got my first NC2 6MT and looking forward to doing this as my 5th and 6th seem a bit crunchy. Thank you!!

I would use a smooth jaw plier on the filler bolt next time. It's chewing it up.

Thanks for the video! Quick question: Does the drain plug come from the factory with the magnetic end, or is it something that needs to be purchased aftermarket?

Great video! Just curious - do I need to worry about the torque numbers on either of these bolts when putting them back on?

Wonder if anyone has looked into GM's " Synchro-mesh" fluid...?

The BG Slick Shift synthetic gear oil is way better!

Is there a filter as well? Usually you should change the filter too

Can you help me find a crush washer

What color is your nc?

How much oil put ?

My honda dirtbike takes 1 quart and a half of oil and that's 30$ motor oil haha 😅 not bad for something you do every 3 to 4 years I'd say

Amature - water pump grips😱

I'm going to give this fluid upgrade a FAIL. Changed it out in my 2012 NC 6sp MT PRHT. No difference. Easy enough job but might be better off spending your time and money on something else.

A real mechanic wouldn’t use channel locks on a bolt head!🤢🤮💩

Disliked for women’s rights.

How often do you change the trans fluid?