If you have Mazda 3 that was made before 2019, then it uses power steering fluid—which you’ll need to change every three to four years. You can pay a mechanic $100-$120 to change the fluid for you, or you can do it yourself for only about $10.

Since 2019, Mazda 3s have been made with electronic power steering (EPS) systems, which do not require fluid. Before that, they had traditional hydraulic power steering systems. If you don’t change the fluid in a hydraulic power steering system often enough, your steering will begin to stiffen up and there'll be a groaning sound when you turn the wheel.

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What type of power steering fluid does Mazda 3 use?

The fourth generation of Mazda 3 (which began in 2019) introduced EPS to the model. The first three generations (2004-2018) all used hydraulic power steering. For those, you’ll need

Mazda Genuine ATF M-III

M-V

power steering fluid. You can also use an equivalent steering fluid, such as any Dexron II, II, or VI-certified fluid.

You should always use the official Mazda brand power steering fluid if you can. In a pinch, these other brands will work:

Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF

($12.99 for 1 quart)

Castrol Transmax ATF

($12.29 for 1 quart)

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How to change Mazda 3 power steering fluid

Once you’ve purchased some compatible power steering fluid, you can flush and refill your Mazda’s fluid—but you’ll need a few things first:

all-purpose fluid transfer pump

. You can get them for $10-$15. If you’d rather not spend the money, you can use a turkey baster—but it will take much longer.

A pair of pliers.

A rag or paper towels.

A Jack and jack stands (optional)

A drain pan

Got everything you need? Great! Let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Step 1 (optional): Use the jack and jack stands to raise your Mazda 3 up. You can skip this step if you want, but jacking up your car will make flushing the old power steering fluid a bit easier.

Step 2: Pop the hood and locate the power steering fluid reservoir. Remove the reservoir’s cap, insert the tube from your all-purpose pump, and pump the fluid out into your drain pan.

Step 3: Refill the reservoir with the fresh power steering fluid.

Step 4: Next, you’ll want to “bleed’ or “cycle” the old power steering fluid remaining in the lines. Start by disconnecting the return line to the power steering fluid reservoir. Most of the residual fluid should drain out on its own. To squeeze the last bits out, start the engine—then twist the steering wheel from side to side. Continue doing this until the fluid stops coming out.

Step 5: Shut the engine off and reconnect the reservoir return line. Top off the fluid in the reservoir. Start the engine and let it run for 10-20 seconds. Shut off and top the fluid off one last time (if needed).

And that’s it! Clean up your tools and materials, check for any leaks, and then lower your car from the jacks if you had it raised.

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cost

What is the power steering fluid change interval for a Mazda 3?

You should change your power steering fluid at least once every 3-4 years or every 50,000—whichever comes first.

In addition to those regular fluid changes, you should also flush and refill your power steering fluid if you ever notice any of the following issues:

The steering wheel has become stiff and difficult to turn

The steering wheel is unusually loose

When you turn the wheel, you hear a whining or groaning noise

The fluid has turned from an amber or pink color to a dark brown or black shade

It’s best to make a habit of checking your power steering fluid regularly to make sure it’s the right color and there are no bits of debris in it.

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2010 Mazda 3 engine oil capacity

How to save on Mazda 3 insurance

Changing your own power steering fluid can save you a lot of money—but there are a lot more upkeep expenses that you’ll still have to deal with. A huge chunk of your monthly car-related expenses will be the cost of

car insurance

. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to save money on that as well!

You can use

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Mazda 3 car insurance

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When you download the app, Jerry will scour the market for the best deals on coverage. In just 45 seconds, Jerry will find rates for 55+ competing policies, compare them based on coverage quality and overall cost, and send you the best results. All you need to do is choose your favorite, and then Jerry will take care of all the paperwork to get you switched over.

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