Mazda Protegé

norcan

Try calling your dealer or the Mazda 1-800 number for the brake-line recall (see my post #1264).

The mfg date of your car should be on a sticker which is located on the driver side door post, lower down.

As far as recalls go, this is not bad considering. It was induced during the manufacturing process and is not design related. I looked at the Ford Focus recalls, there are at least 3 design related recalls that required new parts.

Re. Whistle
Last night I drove my 01 ES at various speeds from 60-80 mpg, radio and fan off. I didn't hear a whistle, just the engine working during acceleration, more wind noise near 80.

newcar31

The headlights on all cars are aimed down on the drivers side so you don't blind oncoming traffic. It is completely normal. As far as the oil change and the funny smell goes, you will almost always smell that after an oil change on your protoge. The oil filter is located above a hot exhaust pipe. It is hard to remove it without spilling some oil on it and it is really hard to wipe all of the oil out of the nooks & crannys that it spills into. The manual says it holds 3.7 US quarts. If I COMPLETELY drain my oil, change the filter and fill with 3.7 quarts, it always looks to be overfilled on the dipstick. (I've done it 3 times already in 1700 miles) So I use 3.5 quarts. I believe the 01 protoges still use OBD II onboard diagnostics, so I don't think the check engine light will turn off until you have it reset.

hepworth1

I made a couple of calls this morning about the availability of the S-Plan in Canada, and I thought I would pass on the info I found to other Canadians who would be interested in using this plan to obtain the special discount price which is 4% higher than what a ford employee would pay.In the US, this seems to work out to about 1.5% below invoice, but I don't know if it is exactly the same amount for Canada. The dealer I talked knew about the plan, but was waiting to hear from Mazda Canada about when it would be implimented. I also talked to someone at Mazda Canada and she also knew about the plan, and said that she had received an e-mail that it would be in place sometime in April, which is this month. If you are a Canadian and want to take advantage of this plan as soon as possible, I would call Mazda at 1-800-263-4680 and ask them to let you know as soon as it is up and running. The more people inquiring might also get them to speed things up. For any of you who want more info about it go to http://www.eaa.org/communications/eaanews/ford_partner.html

vocus

I thought it was not affected, since I bought the car the day it came off the truck (2/21/01). So that means it was probably built at least in January. I did look for the build date on the sticker on the left doorframe, but to no avail. Anyway, I am happy now.

I have 2350 miles on my 2001 ES now, and still loving it every minute!!

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!

conheady

On the subject of smelling...
Does any one else's Pro smell like rotten eggs after a drive? Mine does and always has. I was thinking it was from running high octane fuel exhaust through the cat. converter. I've noticed this in few other cars I've driven too.

vocus

Neither one of my Proteges ever smelled like rotten eggs. That might signal a problem with the cat. converter. That's what my mother always said about cars that smelled that way. She wasn't that experienced on new cars though, but did help build 3 racing cars back in the 60s.

maltb

Well, it's either too much Taco Bell or the catalyst. Really, you don't have to say if don't wish.

nikecar

we had rotten egg smell on a neon (actually everyone I knew with a neon had it)... and it was the heater blower or something like that..

vocus

My roommate has a 2000 Neon ES, and it smells of gas strongly sometimes when the engine is cold and the temperature outside is cold as well. Kinda noxious to drive for the first few minutes...

lgb

I went in for service and while waiting went to the sales lot. There was a 2001 ES (silver) side by side with a 2000. My opinion only, but I like the old front end design better- a little more chiseled and I like the chrome strip. The 2001 looks vaguely Mustang-like to me. I noticed inside that they went back to a cloth headliner. I guess I like the white dials, but I like golf-ball dimples over the metal trim. The seats were definitely upgraded, but very dark--are they some kind of fake leather? I'm not sure if I was looking at the standard upholstery or not- there was a Mazda emblem embroidered on the seat back? I think the rims on the 2000 are just as nice as the 01s but we all hate those Bridgestones. All in all, I am just as happy with the 00 (but I do have the manual).

digidave

(that's what I must sound like, but sorry, this is the only owners forum I am involved in and if I can't ask for input here who can I ask?)

Vocus / Chickoo - I hear you, thanks for the 2 cents worth (and support).

Norcan - thanks for checking. I figure either you can't pick up the pitch at which it is being produced or your vehicle doesn't do it, which could mean differences in manufacturing between US & Canadian models something's up with mine (and the others that do reproduce the sound).

Normally I would take the approach many would advise - zoom zoom along and not worry about it so long as it's a normal aspect of the engine's performance. Yeah, I can crank up the tunes to block it out (but I'm already doing that to cover the tick tick ticking of the cruise control....doh!)

Problem may seem trivial to many but also consider that the "sound" is at just the right pitch / frequency to be discomforting (to me, anyway), exacerbating the issue. Or, perhaps this "sound" is unusually high or more noticeable in my particular vehicle's engine (?) I think I'll try to capture (record) it and make it available for others to know what I'm talking about (if anyone else can hear it, that is). I'll let you all know what develops...

Dave

chikoo

I know that whine way back from 15 years when I drove toyotas and then suzukis.

I loved that whine when compared to my dad's GM built engine-noisy and rattling. felt as if the car was driven by a small electrical motor instead of a ICHE.

In fact, personally, if the car does not whine, makes me feel a bit uneasy.

chikoo

In 1999 my ES was rammed in the back by a buxom beauty driving a probe.

I had to replace the whole rear bumper assembly -they put in the new 2000 assembly.

Then yesterday after heavy rains, I noticed that the trunk side had a pool of water collecting on the driver's side.

So I took my ES to the dealer and hoped against hope that it turns out to be a mazda problem - not related to the accident I had.

But NO. as luck would have it, they opened up my whole rear trunk to find out the leak and they found that the leak was not due to mazda design but due to the accident I had way back in 1999.

The service manager came to inform me about it - and surprise! surprise! - he would do the necessary repairs UNDER WARRANTY!!!!!!!!

Talk about bad dealerships - this one is a gem of a dealership - PACIFICO MAZDA at the PHILA AUTOMALL.

certainly makes you feel comfortable when you have have such good people to work with.

digidave

GM vehicles make noise? Nah, not until it was broken in anyway (you know, around 3000 miles or so). Actually, for the most part I've personally had good experience with GM vehicles, though there have been items (knobs, switches, brakes, A/C, etc.) that had me on a first name basis with the service dept manager! I would very much not like to know the Mazda service manager's name or what their hours are!

ps - got any cheese for me? ;-)

ee73

I just read yesterday's posts regarding CD-RW discs. I checked my 2001 ES, and it played a Memorex CD-RW disc just fine. I was going to be disappointed if it didn't, because my 2000 MPV plays them, too. Same disc in my 90's-era home CD player won't work at all.

On another subject - I received a free 35mm camera (complete with film and batteries) from Mazda last week since my new Protege is my second Mazda. I thought that was a pretty neat little freebie.

gitarzan

When I got mine, I test drove a 2001 LX 2.0 with a stick and then the 2000 1.6 with auto. Performance-wise, as expected there was quite a bit of difference. I got the 2000 mainly because of the deal... But I do think the 2000 looks cleaner without the mandatory spoiler and it's chrome upper lip on the grill.

The 1.6 auto still feels great to me, since I am not pedal-to-the-metal type driver and compared to my previous ride, it's still a screamer.

I do notice that there is little bit of a "floating" feeling on the freeway sometimes. I was wondering if a strut bar stabilizer would prevent this.

the_big_h

more power to y'all. Enjoy the fun of being able to remake your favorite compilation over and over again.

hboyd

My 2001 ES build date (on the certification stickers at both front doors!) shows 12/2000; I purchased it on 2/16 -- from a special "port allocation order"; I visually checked the driver's side rear disc brake hoses for leaks or damage and saw NOTHING. Everything looks fine. Master cylinder looks full too. I haven't received a notice yet, but will bring my ES in for a 3000mi serv. at the dealer for an official inspection in the future.

Engine whine sounds like a tuning fork resonance type noise at 70 MPH when accelerating, but is only "barely" perceptable... yeah... the engine is actually fairly QUIET at ALL speeds except, of course, when zooming off... zoom....zoom

New headlights work phenomenally... a poor man's HIDs in disguise. CD player works very well... only skippied once... zooming over railroad tracks at 45 MPH!!!

MARTIN

vocus

I had those blue=colored bulbs off EBay in my 1999 DX, and they were okay. They didn't work very well in the rain though, giving poor light. They were phenominal on a dry road though. On high bram, their light seemed to go on forever. On the 2001 ES, I am not going to get the blue lights. Since I have fog lights now, I think it would look dumb for the fog lights to lighted with white-colored light and the headlamps to be lit up blue. Besides, the blue really doesn't go with the black exterior color of my car. It went alot better with the silver DX I had before.

norcan

digidave. In all the postings, including Edmunds Town Hall Maintenance & Repair category, the major late model Protege topics are the whistling/whine, manual transmission clunking, and the odd CD player problem. (not bad, especially after reading VW Jetta Maint. & Repair, yikes!)
Many suggestions on causes for whine: windshield leak? wipers? tires? resonant vibration? air intake? front grill design? One description of the whine said it sounded like a squealing balloon leak, very annoying I'm sure. Can any of the more experienced mechanical owners suggest a logical method of deducing true cause? If so a major topic of concern would be solved.

Just my $0.02 - Norcan

gitarzan

I thought what I was hearing was engine whine, however a closer listen proved it to be the drivers of the nearby Corollas and Accords.

the_big_h

to have my car checked for recall and adjusted the headlamps. There's no recall for my car, and the headlights now SEEM to be pointing right in the dead center, will confirm that tonight on way back home.

the zoom zooming continues...

nikecar

chikoo If that was the dealer you first had the car repaired in 1999, they SHOULD have had to repair it free. Every shop I go to for accidents has the lifetime warranty on their repairs..

vocus You should look into PIAA SuperWhite bulbs.. I've heard they put out pure white light, not rainbow brite kinda colors..

gitarzan Did you want to test drive the 2000 ES? We were expecting to get the 00 LX, but I had test drove onths before the ES and made my wife drive the ES.. Needless to say, that one word she let out, OH!, after testing the ES right after the LX was enough to have hooked her.

engine whine damn.. gonna give Daewoo folks something to crow about soon...

vocus

I always have on my fog lights with the headlights at night. Last night, I turned off the fog lights for about 10 minutes of driving just for the hell of it. The light provided by the headlamps seems to be WAYYY out there in front of the car. No immediate light right in front of the car. You think the SuperWhite bulbs would fix that problem?

newcar31

I had the PIAA superwhites in my integra, they work nice. PIAA also makes a blue tinted headlight bulbs that DO NOT have rainbow colors. My buddy has them and they look really close to HIDs with cars that have the clear lense reflector type headlights (like the 01 protoges). The PIAAs cost more than those other "HID lookalike" bulbs but they look really nice. I think I am going to get the blue tinted PIAAs for my car because the superwhites just look like really bright headlights. Then again, I don't even know if they make them for the new 01s.

mdaffron

Hi everyone. Well, I've transferred to my new job now, and my 2000 ES is happily tucked away in a downtown parking deck. My new internet connection at work is even faster! Now Town Hall is going ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!

Hope everybody's doing well.

Meadeball

maltb

Glad to see you made it back!

jstandefer

newcar31- Did you have any problems with your PIAA superwhites? I've had generic "ultrawhite" bulbs in my '99 for about a year and a half, and one of the bulbs always burns out after about 3 months. And sure enough, last night I noticed that one has burned out again. I put in the stock bulbs for now, and wow... the stock bulbs suck! Nothing but yellow, dim light.

Anyways, I would like to get the PIAA's (plus they are street legal), but I'm afraid to spend the $80 on them if they're going to burn out all of the time.

Engine Whining
The only time I notice this whine you are talking about is when the engine is cold and it's revs are between 1,000-1,500rpm. It goes away after the engine warms up. Otherwise, occasionally there is a very slight whine (almost like a turbo sound) when I am accelerating and the engine is up above 5,000rpm (which is quite often). I think it sounds kind of cool- kind of like my RX-7 when it gets up near 10,000rpm. I don't remember many of the sounds when the engine was new... mine has 36,000 miles on it now.

nikecar

Meade... Welcome back...

Headlights el cheapies have a greater temdency to blow out since they aren't as quality as other bulbs.. everyone i have known with cheapies has em blow out quicker.. But make sure you get stock wattage with the PIAA's, or you could burn out the wiring harness if you get a higher wattage bulb.

newcar31

I never had any problems with burning out my PIAA superwhite bulbs. I am not sure if your generic bulbs were just low quality or you may have installed them wrong. When you put in new headlight bulbs, you are not supposed to touch the actual glass part of the bulb otherwise they will burn out quickly because of the oil on your skin. IMHO, the PIAA bulbs are the best because they only use the stock wattage. Most of those generic superwhite/blue ion bulbs run about 90 watts which is capable of melting the stock wiring harness (i've seen it happen). Also, after seeing the PIAA superwhite and Blue Ion side by side, I like the Blue Ions better. They don't have the rainbow effect like the cheap bulbs and they look REALLY close to HID lamps if used in a car with clear reflector type lenses. As far as engine whining, I don't hear it in my 01 ES. Either you guys really have a problem with your car, or you are just really, really picky. I am guessing that you have a problem with your car because I am really, really picky and I don't hear it. The only cars that I know of that have that kind of whine without forced induction are Mitsubishis. They whine a lot.

newcar31

The whining could just be gear whine from the transmission which is normal. I can hear that in my car very faintly, especially in 1st gear. The 5 sp transmission in these cars use a heavy gear oil as a lubricant. (80-90 or GL5 I believe) This could be why the transmission whine in my car is audible whereas I couldn't hear it in my Integra. The integra used a very light (for manual transmissions) fluid for the transmission (10-30 or honda manual transmision fluid). Then again, honda makes the best FWD manual transmissions in the world so maybe it is an unfair comparison. Thats my three cents.

maltb

Honda makes the best FWD gearboxes?

Hmmm....I'll have to mull that one for a while.

newcar31

I dare you to name a slicker shifting FWD car than the Integra GS-R or Type-R.

hkchan

Maybe different people have different definitions of the "best". Slick-shifting? Efficiency? Noise? Compactness? Reliability? Longevity? Clever enigneering? Ease of repair? .....

newcar31

It isn't really a matter of opinion folks. I read every major car magazine every month. All of them without exception have remarked at least once about how the Integra (and hondas in general) have the best FWD manual transmissions around. Every single magazine that I have read. Not one had any complaints about the shifter action which is more than can be said about almost all other manufacturers. (VW and Nissan especially) I have driven many cars in my life and I know from experience that not one of them comes even CLOSE to the shifter in my old integra. As far as efficiency, noise, compactness, reliability, longevity is concerned, I had no troubles. And the transmission was definately quieter (couldn't hear syncro or gear whine noise at all) than my brand new protoge and I never had to replace the clutch in 130,000 miles. Now, when you are talking RWD, the general concensus among automotive journalists is that the Miata shift action is about as sweet as you can get. Yeah, there are other good ones out there, but not really when you are talking FWD. I am not biased about this obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have bought my 01 ES.

vadp

www.getrag.de/econtentlink/02_produkte/index.htm

maltb

Please explain your link....

newcar31

So what? Getrag makes transmissions. Look at the applications for FWD manuals. Olds alero? VW? Yeah, those are known for their transmissions? The new Focus will have a getrag six speed, that should be nice though.

hkchan

I've had, all 5-sp, two Civics, a Celica, a Tercel and an Integra, not GS-R or Type-R though. Can't argue the Hondas are/were slick-shifting. Don't have an opinion as to whether they're the best-shifting. Just suggested perhaps some people would look deeper than the performance. Don't have an opinion whether Honda is the best even after considering the other criteria.

vadp

Well, in my opinion, Getrag makes the best shifting trannys in the RWD cars.
And I should say that I wasn't impressed at all with the Miata shifter.

maltb

What was not impressive about the Miata shifter?
You mean the fact that you can shift with a flick of wrist and it still shifts with ease. I have never felt a shifter with a throw as short as that while maintaining ease of use.

newcar31

"wasn't impressed at all with the Miata shifter" ?!?!?! What in the_Hell do you drive?

vadp

check out my profile.
BTW the car I drive has the crappiest shifter, period.
It seems that some of you are really impressed with the Miata tranny.
Well, my friend has one. Original factory fluid, no RedLine substitutions etc.
And that thing is even notchier (fully warmed) than my POS Focus shifter.
And he even never abused it.

gitarzan

Well, every so often there's a dog... That's what lemon laws are for.

jstandefer

Much like most of the Mazda shifters, they are not happy being shifted at lower rpm's. Take 'em up towards redline and let the magic begin!

speedypt

Meade...Congrats and welcome back. BTW, How's Mrs. Meade feeling with junior-to-be?

PIAA BULBS...I have the 80W/80W PIAA Platinum Superwhites. No overheating problems, no alternator problems, no negatives at all. Just pure, bright light in front of my car. The aiming of the stock headlights was fine and nobody flashes me their "brights" either. The high-beams are GREAT!!!! The light is very white in color, not bluish at all. INSTALLATION TIP: Don't touch the surface of the bulb at all. The oil on your hands will scorch the surface of the bulb causing it to fail prematurely, even on the high-quality PIAA bulbs. I paid about $65 for mine...darn glad I did.

Regards,

Pete

glideslope

All this here talk about them slick shiftin geeeetrag, and hooonda trannies don't mean nothin to me. My pa's got a 1972 Ford F-250 with dang near 259,000 miles on her. She's been a plowed, buried, and dang near ripped in two one time. Ya all know what? She's a still got the same Borg-Warner 4-speed.

So take that , you dang slick-shifting geeetrag lovers!

Regards,
Mark.

chikoo

i use to drive a 3 cylinder 800cc suzuki in my very young hep days with a 4-speed manual....and believe me..it had the smoothest running engine with an extremely slick shifter - i used only my one finger to shift - still shifted after 10 years like new - no breakdowns in the 10 years i owned it and drove it in average of 100 degrees year around. Go figure.

rsparrow

FYI: Flipped thru the May issue...There was a little bit there about Mazda. The article said they are working on a new Protege for the 2003 model year, sharing some features with the Focus (which we've heard before I guess), and would have 1.4(?), 2.0, and 2.3l engines. Many styling cues are supposed to come from the RX-8... Will be interesting to read about this as time goes on...

mdaffron

She's doing pretty well. A little problem with gestational diabetes, but it's under control and we're told it'll most likely go away after Sean is born. Otherwise she's fine.

We have purchased a car seat and the fabric and base actually nearly match the interior of my 2000 ES (gray cloth upholstery). It actually doesn't look bad in the car -- of course, I'm turning into a Daddy here, so some of you younger folks may not appreciate my admiration of a child safety seat in the back of my Protege. I guess all the kid needs now is a fake steering wheel. Any guesses on his first wordzzzzzzzzz....?



You know, I have a 5-speed ES that I dog like hell, racing folks out of tollbooths and drag racing from stoplights, and at over 17,000 miles, the car is just fun as can be. I'm really happy I bought this car!

Meade