So as some may know I'm a pretty new RA owner. Purchased used from a Mazda dealership. Anyway, I took the car to a local mitsu dealer today to get my name in their system and what not and the guy there mentioned that I'll probably need the SST fluid changed soon. and ya that's $450+ that's fine and dandy. But at the time I forgot to mention that the Mazda dealer had given the Ralliart their *MAZDA 8000km service* in mid September. for which they do the following.

(according to their mazda 3/mazdaspeed 3 chart)
• Replace engine oil; Replace oil filter
• Inspect function of all lights
• Inspect brake fluid, clutch fluid, power steering fluid,
washer fluid and coolant level
• Inspect all tires – inflation and wear
• Lubricate all locks and hinges
• Rotate tires (priced separately)

The receipt I have also adds
• Inspect Transmission Fluid Level


Now keep in mind this car has 97k km's on it (what can I say? the price was right) , but let's say they DID need to change the trans fluid......I mean I'm gunna go out on a limb here and say that average Mazda techs probably aren't the most versed in the SST. Am I wrong to think that if they DID change the fluid they may have not done it "right"?

Also they put a Fram oil filter in, are they any good?

 

So... go get your transmission fluid hot and check it if you're worried. From what you posted though inspect != replace.

 

The "inspect transmission fluid" thing is a lie. Go back and ask the guys how they managed to inspect a "sealed" system. (yes, there is technically a level-check hole, but it's largely unknown and even more widely unused)

As for the fram filter, it's garbage. Fram used to make a decent product a long time ago, but their quality has gone down the tubes. The paper elements break down into pulpy mush very quickly and their bypass springs are super weak to compensate for this. That means that they end up filtering very little, if at all. Go pick up an oem filter for 5-7 bucks and know that it was money well-spent.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definitely pick up the oem filter soon. I'm thinking just to be safe I'll end up changing the SST fluid at my next oil change regardless (what the mitsu rep recommended). I much prefer peace of mind to "wait and see" for something like that

 

^ this is what i would do...