AT Dipstick
 

I've read everything on the first 5 pages of Google, Yahoo and every forum i can find and there is not a single picture of where the AT dipstick is located. I found a manual that shows it as being an inch or two to the left of the oil cap but once I look under the hood, theres is absolutely nothing in that area that can be used to fill the tranny fluid. It's incredibly aggrevating that such a simple thing has become so elusive so I would greatly appreciate any help whatsoever. It's an 06 btw

I also have a 2006 RX-8 with the 6 Speed automatic transmission. Starting in 2006, the transmission isn't equipped with a dipstick. If you want to check the fluid level you have to raise the car up and open a fill hole to check. Best thing to do is replace the ATF by having your dealer disconnect the cooling lines and flush all the fluid out. I just had that done a few days ago. Transmission shifts beautifully! I would suggest you do it around 40K miles since the T-IV fluid doesn't seem to last that long. Let me know if you want more info about this transmission!

-Lawrence

Well that would definitely explain it lol. Appreciate it man

Sorry, rotary/rx8 noob here lol.

What is the ATF out the factory
Any recommendations for aftermarket ATF??

The 2004-2005 4 speed automatic RX-8's use regular Dexron III ATF. However, the 2006 and newer RX-8's use a 6 speed Aisin-Warner (Toyota) transmission that needs fluid that meets the Mobil 1 3309 specification. That fluid would be the Toyota T-IV specification. I bought T-IV ATF for 4.50/quart at the local Toyota dealer while Mazda sells the same thing for 9.00/quart. You can also use Redline D4 ATF or Amsoil Universal Synthetic if you want to go with a synthetic fluid. If you want to change it yourself, take a look at this step by step done by a guy over at the miata forums. Our 6 speed automatic transmission is the same as the 2006 and newer miatas.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...=346882&page=3

Take a look at post #61. Very detailed! Hope this helps!

-Lawrence

Regardless of the poster's engineering "credentials", I would not be confident with his methods and procedures.

Typically, as mentioned by other posters, a professional A/T flush requires either the removal of a cooling line along with equipment for pumping enough replacement fluid, or a torque converter that has a drain bolt (rare). His multiple drain/start/drain/fill/drive/drain/etc routine is an unbelievably awkward workaround for the proper procedure and equipment, and I certainly would not be at all comfortable running the transmission almost dry of fluid as he does.

Additionally, he mentions nothing about a transmission filter or pan magnet, which should be serviced when replacing the fluid.

I agree I wouldn't run the transmission when its low on fluid either. However, the link was to show others on the board the locations of the drain, fill, and check plugs as the 6 speed automatic is rarely discussed on the board. It should also be noted that this transmission only has a mesh type filter which cannot be replaced. For those who do not want to or have the means to disconnect the cooling lines to perform a flush, the drain and refill technique is sufficient granted that you do it 3 times or so in succession.

-Lawrence