How to change front differential fluid on a Mazda CX-5 

Please note. In 2016, Mazda changed the recommendation for the transfer case and rear differential on the CX-5 from an 80w90 GL-5 to Mazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1. And the drain plug is 24mm but 15/16" (23.8mm) certainly works. The upper refill plug is 23mm. This is a Japanese car! Finally I drained out 10 oz of fluid but it certainly wasn't at the very top of the fill plug. Top of plug took 14 oz upon refill. Mazda and other OEMs tend to underfill so always smart to check early in a cars life. The actual capacity of this diff is 0.45L or 15oz. Rear diff is 0.35L or 11oz. I removed 10oz so my rear was filled properly from the factory. Same bolt sizes. For the tranny, Mazda also upgraded the oils to a FZ type fluid. This is a longer life fluid. If you have a 2013-2016 then you have the RED ATF tranny fluid while the FZ is blue and much better quality. Mazda did this due to high failure rates of this transmission and also made some engineering improvements. I advise removing the original fluid in the 2016 and pre cars. Replace with FZ but you need to cycle the fluid. So add FZ, run the car (shift it several times), and then pull the fluid. Then fill again with FZ. The Skyactiv-G transmission takes a total of 7.8L. However, unless you flush (Do NOT Flush), you will only be able to remove about 4 liters. So you'll have a 50/50 ratio. But if you add and then immediately change, you'll have 75% FZ fluid. These are COMPATIBLE fluids. Next 30K miles, I recommend to change again. At this point, you're basically running 85-90% FZ fluid. I also am a fan of Lubegard Platinum additive. I hate most additives but this is a great additive for transmissions (less heat, more friction modifiers and longer life).

Thanks for recording. I’ve attempted to record myself doing some of these types of tasks and I just usually say “screw it”. I do appreciate someone else’s time to show me the issues I can avoid. THanks so much. Subbed and will check out more of your vids (if any) re: CX5. I have to do my wife’s CX5 as she has the oil change and filter maintenance from the dealer she bought it from but of course they don’t sell you this kind of maintenance. (Maybe they did but waaaay to expensive) So you are gonna help me save $500 from dealer charges. I already bought all the fluids and also the belts and it was $225…they wanted $700 just for all the fluids change. $1K for belts too…so thanks again!!

Me again, your other video about the transmission fluid change helped me so much a few years ago and every time I do it... that it is time to finally tackle the front and rear diffs. Thanks for the video... let's keep our CX-5x rolling!

thanks for these tutorials good info in this and the transmission change too, needed these because the dealer charges too much.

Awesome video! I was actually looking for how to do the rear differential but I think that's even easier than the front.

Trans, transfer case and both diffs should be filled when vehicle is level. You should have the back put up on jack stands if you have ramps under the front wheels.

Thank you for your video! Please take your safety seriously. These ramps can go down while someone is under the car. I usually put some wood under the car that can hold weight of my car, as addition.

Just did mine, seemes it was low on fluid from the factory, I had it on ramps, like you, when i took fill bolt off, no leakage, was definitely underfilled. I filled until it weeped out, which was 1/2 a quart.

thank you for this video! props for holding a camera while you made the change

Car is on an incline, gonna need to fill when car is flat on ground, or Jack up rear a bit.

I prefer to use all OEM fluids, especially if still under warranty, vehicle should be level when you are refilling.

There’s no magnet on there, proceeds to touch it with the magnetic bolt 😂!!!

*Make more videos about this, invest in quality and you will have succes.* *I own a Mazda cx-5 2018, I never change the fluid from the differential and I have 209.000 KM, I think my differential is rip, right?*

Good video - 1. Did you also change transmission fluid? If yes, can you make a video? I've read that the transmission is sealed, but you pointed to the transmission drain plug. Where is the transmission fill plug? 2. You mention "15\16" for the wrench size. This is a Japanes \ metric vehicle. Should the wrench be the metric size closest to 15\16"?

Have you done the rear differential for the Mazda CX-5?

this is not the front diff ,it s' a transfer case (awd only) ,the front diff it's in the transmission ,not the same thing since they don't use the same oil!

Thanks for recording. Could you give me the models or size of drain plug and o-ring? Or any websites that I could get them. Thanks you.

Thanks for doing a video on this. Is the front diff the same as the transfer case? That’s how it sounds in the manual. Or is there also a transfer case fluid that needs to be changed? Thanks!

This so much easier than Subaru. That’s why I sold my forester😅

Very informative! Thanks!

Thanks

This should be done with vehicle level not the way you have it on front ramps.

That gear oil looked new, my daughter has a 2016 her manual says 100,00 miles

What is the normal interval for doing transfer case and read diff fluid change?

You have any issues with engine carbon build up on the valves?

How much the fluid i need for mazda cx5 2012 differential fluid? Thanks

thanks a lot for that good video.. can u make a video of the rear ?

I have a 2014 cx5 fw drive and I try to do all I can to save$$ but for the life of me, I cant find the drain and fill plugs on the front transaxle/ gearbox,or whatever you call it. I tried following the camera shot and it's hard to know where you are. At first I just tried to find the drain plug/bolt. It should be easy bc it's big. I can't find it! Help!! What year I this cx5 you are working on?

great video ! what kind of gasoline are you using for cx-5 ?

Is this the same as the 2018 mazda cx5?

At what mileage was your first change?

Are the drain and fill plugs both 24mm and are the crush washers for both the same as crush washers for oil plug?

On some furoms they mention of using shallow sockets when tightening or loosening the drain and fill plugs. Dont know why so. I dont see it being used here but regular sockets. Do we really need shallow sockets for them or regular sockets will do?

Can I use the same fluid for a 2018 cx5?

So, you basically put non-genuine Mazda fluid by Valvoline in the front differential of which specifically uses the transmission fluid and REQUIRES genuine Mazda fluid to prevent damage and corrosion? Good luck with your vehicle in the future.

Does the CX5 have a separate transfer case too ? Or just the front diff ?

mazda hypoid gear oil SG1 75w-85 is GL-4 not GL-5.

Shouldn't your car be level when doing this ?

Where is the transfer case on this car?

Was there any difference in performance...meaning did it feel smoother or any difference in gas mileage?

This is only for AWD versions right? There’s no differential in the front on FWD?

Does cx5 front wheel drive have a transfer case?

Hi, nice video - maybe you or someone have insight into my issue. On a 2020 CX5 AWD I pulled out the driver side axle and some type of fluid leaked out (around 1/2qt) . After hours of google & youtube im hearing differential gear oil (hypoid SG1). However... when i took out the fill plug (mine has one same place as this video) and tried to fill it up- it did not accept any more!!! Any idea where i would add the missing oil? While the passenger side axle goes straight into the differential, The driver side axle seems to go into another gear/differential housing... but unsure. Any help would be nice.

also, how much fluid in the front and rear differentials?

torque spec?

I got dizzy

Oring=Crush washer

The rear of the vehicle should be up and level, that won't be a accurate fill.