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).

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 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!!

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

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

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

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.

Very informative! Thanks!

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

Thanks

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

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

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

At what mileage was your first change?

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