Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    changes any of that?

    BTW, I have had my ignition coil replaced, got new NGK laserblue wires and Plutonium spark plugs.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... brings all fuel/air, timing, etc., settings back to the factory defaults.

    Modern cars "learn" your driving style and adapt their settings to it. Resetting the ECU will make the car go back to the way everything was set when it left the factory, and over the course of the next few hours of driving it will learn everything again.

    I learned a lot about ECU resetting with my 1994 B2300 pickup with the constant lean running symptoms. (PING, PING, PING)

    BTW, y'all need to remember that the odo isn't the only thing affected by disconnecting the battery for five to 10 minutes. You'll also lose your clock's time and all your stereo presets, which to some (like me) is a real pain in the posterior!!!

    Meade
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    This can't take more than 5 minutes. Quit whining.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    are you inferring that chikoo's Protege is learning his poor driving habits and translating that to poor performance? hehehe
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    FWIW, I reset the ECU on my 6s after the first 1,000 miles. Then drove it hard for a day. It definitely responds differently after that. Shift points are different in the 5-speed auto, although I thought these we the TCM? The low end seems stronger, but that may simply be me. I also notice a quicker throttle. Top end seems the same.

    Our 02 MPV is being recalled for the Fogs. My understanding is that N.American 6's are not affected. But I could be mistaken.

    Mark.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    10 seconds ONLY.
    But you do lose your presets in that time.
    But I listen only to NPR at 90.9, which is not a pain to get from 87.9(default).
    Also I try and reset the ECU sharp at 1:00PM. Resetting the clock makes it stay at 1:00 (Hehehe)So i don't have to set the clock again.

    What is the facory default setting? How do I maintain that? How should I drive in order to maintain as close to the factory settings?

    BTW, I will encourage all of you to reset your ECU and FEEL the difference.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    took 10 minutes and $10 only.

    All I did was buy 2 quarts of Valvoline ATF. Then I dorve over to my roadside corner mechanic and reuested him to lift the car up, and drain the tranny via the drain plug. Once that was done, I filled in 1-1/2 quarts of ATF and reset my ECU.

    Tranny works great after the fluid change. very clean shifts and engine revs nice and smooth.
  • rbrooks3athomerbrooks3athome Member Posts: 31
    As I posted last week, my wife smacked the passenger side rearview mirror exiting the garage. The housing stayed put, but the mirror separated from the motor. I have separated the motor assembly from thr housing and I can fix the whole thing IF I can find out how to remove the entire assembly from the door. The problem is this: I need to access the motor from the "back" (that part that actually faces to the front of the car and is covered by the housing). But, I can't because the motor assembly is one part with whatever holds the whole thing to that pivot joint that allows the entire completely assembled mirror and housing to fold forward or back if you hit something. It's that elbow joint thing. Basically, I'm trying to find out how, if your mirror works fine, you could remove it from the car? It must be able to be done because it's what you'd have to do if say, for some reason the wire connectors to the mirror motor got loose. I can't imagine the only fix is to replace the whole thing. I can order yhe whole thing from Mazda for $150 but would like to try to fix this one first. Besides, I'd still have the same problem of trying to figure out how to remove the old one so I'd still have to figure this out. The mirror is definitely under some sort of spring tension but I can't for the life of me see how it comes off the car. Thanks for any help. I wish I knew a body shop guy! They must change these things all the time.

    Ron Brooks
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Long time no see!

    E-mail me, and I might have a suggestion of another place you could look for info.

    --Dale
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Hi everyone!

    Been busy working 6 days/wk lately (and will continue until the end of June) and with the # of posts in the PRO and 6 threads, it's a P/T job just keeping up with it, so now on a Sunday morning, here I am, having skipped a few pages at a time just to get caught up.

    Still actively looking at used 91-93 Integras and so far I haven't been able to find one that I felt comfortable buying - too many are leaking oil around the head gasket... The search continues.

    The PRO just passed 60.000 kms last Sunday on the way back from Montreal. It still drives VERY well and I have nothing to complain about.

    This week I replaced the rear chrome-looking badges (Mazda/M-logo/Protege) as they had chipped. Weird I know since the front M-logo is clean, but I have 3 new shinny badges now - 2001-style of course.

    Cheers!
    Dinu
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Are you sure they are leaking oil around the headgasket? It was common for the cam seals to leak in those engines and sometimes the oil would run down the head. It's a simple fix, just new cam seals and some "honda-bond".
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I switched to synthetic on the 01 Protege I had, and it didn't make a noticeable difference in the way the engine ran. It was still the same to me. I wouldn't really waste the extra $ for synthetic again.

    Also, the 'not being able to go back' thing is bull from what I hear. Goodyear told me you couldn't either, but someone else told me that wasn't so.

    With the brake pads, I had to replace mine on the 99 DX at 26K miles and have the rotors machined. I am harder on the brakes than you are though, probably. I know they tried 3 different sets of pads at Goodyear that day, and finally had to go to the dealership and purchase them for the car.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I don't think anyone can really notice a difference in how a car runs with synthetic. That's not why I use it. I use it because it's better for extreme temperatures, it keeps your engine much cleaner, it lasts longer, and I like the best for my Protege. I can justify the cost since I do it myself and spend less on oil changes than the average person does anyway.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Todd, you might be right about the seals, but I wasn't comfortable with those cars.

    I found a grey 91 Maxi w/192.000kms (120.000miles) in good shape yesterday and I'm going to pick it up this week. It has a setting for the suspension (Comfort/Sport) and for the tranny (Comfort/Power). Unfortunately it's an auto, but for $4200 CAD and this being the first car in over 3 weeks of search to feel comfortable buying, the deal was made. On the bright side it has a sunroof, it's very clean and a 1-owner vehicle. Doesn't ride as tight as the PRO, but I was going 90mph just under 3000RPMs on the test drive yesterday and it felt like 65-70 in the PRO. It has a weird digital dash and I can't seem to find any info on it, except that there were very few made like that. I'm picking it up by Wednesday.

    Cheers!
    Dinu

    PS: The PRO will now be more rested. His 2nd b-day is approaching in July.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    You think an Integra head gasket is expensive? Those Nissan Adjusta shocks are murder.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >>> It has a setting for the suspension (Comfort/Sport)<<<<

    Stay away!!!!!!
  • manavimanavi Member Posts: 150
    Ron,

    I think there is a triangular plastic piece on the inside of the car that you can gently pry off with a flathead screwdriver. Behind that piece are screws that are holding the side mirror in place. Hope that helps.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Everything's OK so far...

    Dinu
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Well, I could tell a difference with cold starts (y'know, car sitting out in temps 10F or below all day or night before you start it).

    The engine starts more easily and idles more smoothly before warm-up.

    Other than that, I can't really tell. But I figure if I can hear and feel the difference when it's below freezing, it probably makes a difference at normal and elevated temperatures too.

    Well, OK the first few changes with synth also washed out a bunch of gunk left behind by the regular oil too. I noticed it got "dirty" looking quickly until after the 3rd fill-up with synthetic.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    How dare you not wait until we could all argue over the various attributes of the vehicle?

    3 Days without the Pro for you!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I know u must feel "what the &^^%^$"
    But I sincerely hope that the car proves troublefree and that whatever I heard were just outliers.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Today I woke up at 8AM and cleaned both cars and moved some of my stuff from the PRO to the Max. Of course I got to drive the PRO to get it cleaned at one of those DIY car wash and cleaning places not too far from where we live. I enjoy the Maxima's sunroof and comfort, but I just can't let the PRO go - ended up going to the bank with the PRO today, instead of the Maxi. It's just so fun when you don't have to brake to make a turn and the brakes are sooo good!

    Dinu
    Can anyone pass a Kleenex please? :)
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    but I have to.....

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha......no Pro for you!
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    http://www.mazda.ca/english/40_38248.htm

    "Based upon its sales performance in 2002 Mazda is the third best selling import brand in Canada"

    Ok, so it's just sales #s, but why does Mazda USA do so poorly?

    Dinu
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    "Ok, so it's just sales #s, but why does Mazda USA do so poorly?" That's the answer Dinu, more choices more numbers.

    But some day we'll be saying, "Better ingredients...better cars...Papa Mazda!"

    fowler3
  • eflat1eflat1 Member Posts: 8
    Hey, all,
    I'm gonna try changing my own oil 'cause I drive alot of miles and haven't been doing it regularly because of the cost. I'm just wanting to know if everything is pretty obvious once I get under my 99 Pro. (btw, I'll be using the rhino ramps) Is the oil drain plug easy to spot? I assume I can use an regular oil filter wrench, eh? Any tips or tricks?

    Thanks
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    The drain plug is really easy to spot. Make sure to clean off the plug and gasket (aluminum washer) so you get a good seal when you put it back. It's at the right-rear of the oil pan, just inside the front-right wheel.

    Be sure to take off or loosen the oil refill cap on top of the engine first. It'll help drain the engine a little faster.

    The filter seems a bit larger than a regular oil filter wrench (sorry, I haven't measured mine), but you can fit it over enough that it'll work. I got a short socket wrench handle so I can actually turn it without hitting anything. When you take off the old filter, be sure to put enough towels/rags under it to catch the oil that spills out to contain it.

    When you put the new filter on, smear a little fresh oil over the rubber gasket on the filter.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    or maybe

    Better ingredients...better Mazda...Papa Ford!
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Mazda! Mazda!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
  • rutger3rutger3 Member Posts: 361
    My son ,17, just purchased (with a little help from me), a 99 LX,with 50k miles,auto,cd,remote entry,in excellent condition for $6600 from a local dealer. I think he did well since the other cars he was looking at in this price range had 85-105k miles and were 1996-1998 (Civics and Accords). It sounds like this car will be dependable and last through college.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Man, new cars depreciate so fast!
  • eflat1eflat1 Member Posts: 8
    I bought a '99 LX a couple years ago from Hertz for a bit under $10k. It had about 25K miles on it then and now I'm over 136k! Not high-end luxury, but a great value I think. During my college days I had the 323 (Protege predecessor) and it now sits in my garage with over 220k miles.

    Yeah, I think I'd buy another.
  • smoke286smoke286 Member Posts: 9
    Here in Newfoundland we have the buisest Mazda dealership in Canada, the reason? They have a program called the freedom driving club. Its free and covers everything but tires and washer fluid for 4 years, 80,000 km. I mean everything, no maintenance costs at all. the Mazda Protege is the best selling car here, its amazing to see how many are on the road. I watched for about 45 minutes at work one day and counted. 40 Proteges went by in that time
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    It's funny how different US and Canada are. Here, Mazda is by no means a big seller but in Canada people talka about seeing tons of Protege's and Mazda6's all the time. A shame, IMO.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have seen a couple used ones in the MD area. An 02 LX with 27K at Hertz for $9995, and an 01 ES automatic with 33K for $9988. Their prices seem to drop because of all the rebates and incentives the cars always have.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Hummers being amongst the few exceptions. I can't stand those things. They take up so much space.

    And Proteges didn't really have incentives all the time, though we'll see a lot of that now that the successor is coming out soon.

    Speaking of overly large vehicles, how about that snack bar commercial where the guy showing off his new Excursion/Hummer hybrid crushes his garage as he tries to park in it, and then the guy on the sidewalk smiles as he takes a bite out of his snack bar? Punchline is something about a satisfying crunch. :)
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I got 0% for 48 months long before everyone was offering it....way back in February 2001.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I know that in July 01, only a little over 2 years after the intro of the new body style, I got my Protege for invoice + 0.0% financing. So they've been discounting them for at least 2 years. And the 01's were the newly updated models.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    They only did it to try to pace GM and the others that continuously offered incentives.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Was the second off the truck to my dealer in 01 when I got it. S plan pricing, 1.5% below invoice I think and a rebate too.

    I did find a nice 98 Protege for less than $5000. Wanna check it out this weekend probably.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I checked it out here in Mpls/St. Paul at the fairgrounds. They had a Mazda6i auto, a couple of Mazda6S autos, a couple of Protege5 autos, a Miata auto, a Miata 6sp, and a Mazdaspeed Protege.

    Of course, I headed straight for the Mazdaspeed Protege, even though it was the longest line. I figured if I was going to get kicked out of the event right away, I wanted it to be in that car. As I was waiting in line, I noticed that a lot of people can't drive manual very well. Way too much gas, way too much clutch. Some poor kid stalled the Miata 6sp two times and then they kicked him out of the Miata. The Mazdaspeed Protege didn't look that fast, but people were taking it kinda easy on it. I wasn't going to take it easy. I didn't do any burnouts or anything, but I was going as fast as I possibly could around the little course. I scared myself through the slalom, but I didn't hit any cones. One of the corners was really tight, so I ripped it out of the corner in first gear. It's a pretty solid little ride and the turbo makes it fun.

    When I was done, one of the workers came over and said with a smile on his face: "Do that again and you'll be racing the go-karts".
  • kaiserheadkaiserhead Member Posts: 166
    I drove the same MazdaSpeed in Miami last week (I think they take the test models with them.) I think the clutch was a little worm out from novice drivers. I actually knocked a few cones over by the moose!!! It drove nice, I'm not sure about the low, short throw shifter though.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    who knock over the orange cones on the highway construction projects? Probably those same kids.

    fowler3
  • avanteguyavanteguy Member Posts: 15
    the mazda speed is a step in the right way for mazda , i think the mazda speed should should have a bit more power; do something crazy like 220 hp ,then watch the kinda hype it would have ....the handling is there the look not bad sound system is great just a bit more power is what i think .
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Motor Trend reported about 6 months ago that a 225 hp turbocharged Mazda engine would be available in the next gen Focus performance model. I'd expect to see the same engine in the next gen Mazdaspeed Protege.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    mazdaspeed3...
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    oops!
  • avanteguyavanteguy Member Posts: 15
    I have not heard anything about the 225h hp motor for the ford or mazda 3 ,you sure that would be for Canada. here in Canada we have a way of not bring in new stock until the rest of the world has seen it first :).... the mazda 6 was a all over the rest of the would before it was introduced to Canada ....i really do hope that mazda does put a small car with 225hp ..wow
  • avanteguyavanteguy Member Posts: 15
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