Activematic is a range of manual control automatic transmissions used in Mazda models. Thanks to the combination of automatic and manual modes and various software settings, these transmissions have balanced operation and offer excellent acceleration, quick shifting, driving comfort and fuel economy.
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How Activematic works
Activematic is based on a traditional hydraulic automatic transmission. Thanks to the special firmware, the AAS function (Active Adaptive Shift) can be used. This ensures adaptive shifting according to road conditions. To switch to manual mode, the driver places the shift lever in a slot marked “M”. If the lever is moved to “+” or “-“, you can shift to a higher or lower gear. In addition, paddle shifters can also be used.
In addition, most versions also have the DAM function (Direct Activematic). This allows the driver to shift to a higher or lower gear for a short time without having to switch to manual mode, which is useful for turning, driving downhill and some other situations.
Popular Activematic transmissions
| Index | Manufacturer | Number of gears | Max. Displacement, l | Max. Torque, Nm | Drive type | Year of manufacture | Applicable models |
| FN4A-EL | Ford | 4 | 2,3 | 200 | Front wheel | 1999 | Mazda 5; Mazda 3; Mazda 2; Mazda 6 |
| FS5A‑EL | Ford | 5 | 2.5 | 250 | Front | 2005 | Mazda CX-7; Mazda 3; Mazda 6; Mazda 5 |
| SJ6A-EL | Aisin | 6 | 5.0 | 480 | Rear, 4WD | 2006 | Mazda MX-5; |
| AW6A-EL | Aisin | 6 | 4.0 | 450 | Front, 4WD | 2004 | Mazda CX-7; Mazda CX-9 |
| GF4A-EL | Mazda | 4 | 3.0 | 260 | Front | 1999 | Mazda Familia; Mazda Capella |
Common defects in Activematic transmissions
| Defects | Gearbox |
| Over time, the gearbox bushings wear out, causing it to vibrate when changing gears. | GF4A-EL |
| Solenoid valves wear out prematurely, so judder and vibration are common when in use. | GF4A-EL; FS5A‑EL |
| If the radiator is not cleaned in time, the transmission can overheat and lead to electronic failure. | GF4A-EL |
| Rear cover wear leads to low oil pressure. This causes the friction plates to slip and burn out. | FN4A-EL |
| The seals, molded rubber pistons and brake bands have a short lifespan. | FN4A-EL; FS5A‑EL |
| The bearings fail quickly and the transmission shaft becomes crooked. | FS5A‑EL |
| The reverse gear drum wears out prematurely, making it impossible to engage the gear. | FS5A‑EL |
| The solenoid valves of the hydraulic valve housing got dirty easily . Disregarding the replacement intervals for transmission oil and filters can have disadvantages. | AW6A-EL; SJ6A-EL |