Idemitsu ATF Type M for Mazda M5/M3 and Ford FNR5, Case of 6 Quarts

If the dipstick handle on your Mazda3, Mazda5 or four-cylinder Mazda6 says M-V, or you own a 2006-2009 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan with the FNR5 five-speed automatic, this is the fluid you are looking for. Owners usually end up here after a quick-lube shop topped the transmission off with a universal ATF and the shifts turned harsh, or after a judder showed up on light throttle. This case holds six one-quart bottles of Idemitsu ATF Type M, Idemitsu part 30040092-75000C020. Idemitsu blends the fluid that goes into the Mazda-labeled bottle, so this is the same specification sold under the blender's own name.

What Type M fluid does in the FN4A-EL and FNR5

The FN4A-EL four-speed (Ford calls it the 4F27E) and its five-speed successor, the Mazda FS5A-EL that Ford sells as the FNR5, rely on the fluid for more than lubrication. It carries line pressure to the clutches and band through the valve body, cools the unit, and sets how the torque converter clutch grabs when it locks. Mazda's own bulletin on fluid selection is direct about it: ATF M-V (Type M5) is not the same fluid as MERCON V or MERCON LV, it is thicker than both at low temperatures, and it carries a higher anti-judder specification. Those last two points are why the wrong fluid shows up as harsh cold shifts and converter shudder. Mazda also warns that a generic, multi-purpose or universal ATF may damage the transmission.

Symptoms that point to the wrong or worn-out fluid

• Shudder or a rumble strip feel at light throttle as the converter clutch applies
• Harsh or slow shifts when cold that smooth out once the car warms up
• Shift quality that changed right after a fluid service or top-off
• Fluid that smells burnt or has turned dark brown
• Flare between gears on a high-mileage unit that has never had a fluid change

Fresh fluid will not fix hard faults. These units are known for valve body bore wear and separator plate cross-leaks that set codes such as P0731, P0732, P0741 and P0757, along with wrong-gear starts or a missing 2nd gear. If those codes are stored, fluid is part of the repair, not the whole repair.

How to confirm fluid is the problem

Check the dipstick handle or owner's manual for the specification, then pull a sample and compare it against our ATF color and smell chart. Scan for stored transmission codes before you spend money. If the shudder only happens during lockup, work through torque converter clutch shudder diagnosis; a few drain-and-fills with the correct fluid often settle a fluid-caused judder, while a shudder that returns quickly points to the converter or valve body.

Fitment

Mazda's ATF application chart lists ATF M-V (Type M5) for the 2004-2013 Mazda3 (non-Skyactiv), 2006-2015 Mazda5, 2011-2014 Mazda2, 2003-2008 Mazda6 2.3L, 2009-2013 Mazda6 2.5L, 2003-2004 Mazda6 3.0L five-speed and 2010-2012 CX-7 2.5L. Ford's own FNR5 fluid, Motorcraft XT-9-QMM5, was built to the Mazda M5 specification for the 2006-2009 Fusion and Milan. Idemitsu also sells Type M for older Mazda automatics that call for M-III. It is not correct for every Mazda or Ford: the CX-7 2.3L turbo, CX-9, RX-8, MX-5 and 2005-2008 Mazda6 3.0L six-speed take JWS3309 (T-IV), the Tribute and B-Series take MERCON V or LV, and Ford-badged 4F27E cars such as the Focus use MERCON V or LV. Match the label on your dipstick, or send us your year and VIN. Browse the rest of our parts for this family on the 4F27E / FN4A-EL collection page.

Install notes

• Dry fill on the four-speed is about 7 quarts, but a pan drain only removes part of it, so plan on two or three drain-and-fills to replace most of the old fluid. Six quarts covers a couple of passes.
• Mazda-built units have a drain plug; many Ford-badged versions do not, so the pan has to come down or the fluid has to be pulled through the dipstick tube.
• Mazda says to flush only when the workshop manual calls for it, so stick to drain-and-fill.
• Set the level hot, engine running, on the dipstick's hot range.
• If the pan is coming off anyway, install the FNR5 / FN4A-EL filter and pan gasket kit at the same time.
• If codes for solenoid circuits keep returning after the service, look at the 4F27E solenoid block or the FNR5 valve body with solenoids.

Is Type M the same as Mazda ATF M-V?

Idemitsu makes the fluid in the Mazda M-V bottle, and Type M is Idemitsu's own-label version of that specification. Mazda part number 0000-77-112E-01 is the dealer bottle for ATF M-V.

Can I use MERCON V or MERCON LV instead?

Not in a unit that calls for M-V. Mazda's bulletin says M-V is a different fluid with higher low-temperature viscosity and a higher anti-judder specification, and that using another fluid can cause shift complaints or damage.

Does my 2010-2012 Ford Fusion use this?

The FNR5 fluid Ford listed for M5 use covers 2006-2009 Fusion and Milan. Later four-cylinder Fusions moved to a six-speed with a different fluid, so check the owner's manual or send us the VIN.

How many cases do I need for a fluid change?

One case covers two or three pan drain-and-fills on the FN4A-EL or FNR5, which is the usual way to change most of the fluid since the converter does not drain. A complete dry fill after an overhaul is about 7 quarts on the four-speed.

Will this fix my P0731 or P0741 code?

Usually not on its own. Those codes on this family commonly come from valve body bore wear or separator plate leaks, so fresh fluid helps but the valve body or solenoids may still need attention.

• Complete ATF Fluid Types Guide
• How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Torque Converter Clutch Shudder Diagnosis
• ATF Color and Smell Diagnosis Chart