The Mazda GW6A-EL or GW6AEL 6-speed automatic transmission has been produced at the concern’s plant since 2012 and is paired with the 2.5-liter PY-VPTS turbo engine and the 2.2-liter SH-VPTS diesel engine. The all-wheel-drive version of this automatic transmission is known under its own designation, the GW6AX-EL.
Specifications
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Engine volume, l | up to 2.5 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 450 |
| Recommended oil | Mazda ATF-FZ |
| Oil capacity, liter | 8.0 |
| Partial replacement, liter | 4.0 5.0 with filter replacement |
| Maintenance | every 60 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~250 000 km |
| Weight, kg | 99.7 |
Gear ratios Mazda GW6A-EL
Using the 2020 Mazda CX-5 with a 2.2-liter diesel engine as an example:
| Main | 4.09 |
| 1st | 3.487 |
| 2nd | 1.992 |
| 3rd | 1.449 |
| 4th | 1.000 |
| 5th | 0.707 |
| 6th | 0.600 |
| Reverse | 3.990 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- Mazda 3 III (BM) in 2013 – 2019; 3 IV (BP) in 2020 – …;
- Mazda 6 III (GJ) in 2012 – 2021;
- Mazda CX-30 I (DM) in 2021 – …;
- Mazda CX-50 I (VA) in 2022 – …;
- Mazda CX-5 I (KE) in 2012 – 2017; CX-5 II (KF) in 2017 – …;
- Mazda CX-8 I (KG) in 2017 – …;
- Mazda CX-9 II (TC) in 2016 – …
Disadvantages of the Mazda GW6A-EL gearbox
- This automatic transmission was developed in collaboration with Aisin and is characterized by good reliability;
- With a sedate owner and frequent lubricant changes, it lasts 200,000-250,000 km;
- It’s also important to monitor the heat exchanger, as it clogs quickly;
- However, with excessively aggressive driving, the torque converter clutch quickly wears out in an automatic transmission;
- Then wear debris clogs the solenoids in the valve body, and the transmission begins to jolt;
- Even in the early years, the central bearing often fell apart, causing a humming noise;
- The overrunning clutch is also considered a weak point in the transmission; there are quite a few cases where it needs to be replaced.
