Mazda Protege Basic Maintenance Questions

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Comments

  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    The OEM NGKs are $1.35 each from http://www.mazdaformance.com/


    I may consider the platinums so I can go 30k instead of 20k before changing them.

  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    That's cheap!
    Ok...next dumb question...
    How do I change the plugs?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    If you get real NGK platnums (about $8 each), you should be able to go 100k miles on them.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    That'll help keep them from getting stuck after being in place for so long.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    If I can't get to 20k with copper, do you think I would ever be able to get to 100k, even with Platinum?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    What specifically was wrong with the plugs? A used spark plug should look used but may still work perfectly. http://www.xs4all.nl/~ekieboom/spit/plugs.html
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Anybody wanna tell me how I can check the spark plugs?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Not sure what year you have, but all you have to do is pull the spark plug wires and/or coil packs off of the plugs (carefully) and take the plugs out with a spark plug wrench. I believe the Pro uses a 16mm.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    They have one for measuring (either a bunch of bent wires on a coin-shaped hub or a bunch of shim strips) and one for spreading the gap.

    Also, if the electrodes look worn or the business end looks damaged, replace it. Depending on the level and type of damage (pitting, heavy carbon deposits), you'll want to tune your engine and possibly switch fuel supplier.
  • 8iron8iron Member Posts: 3
    Any suggestions for cleaning the dash, steering wheel and such, and leaving a dull matte finish??
    I havn't used it for a while but doesn't Armorall feel a little greasy??
    How about a mild soap and water??
    Also, anyone Scotchguard the seats?????????
    Gracias, boys
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    It just feeds mold, and does leave a greasy feel.

    I think the dashboard might be painted, which Armor-All would actually harm, not help. The black plastic is not painted, but Armor-All will make it glossy and greasy. I use it only on the black bumper covers and side moldings on my '89 323 to turn them back to black from the grey they've faded to over the years. I also use it on the outer side walls of my tires, but that's pretty much it.

    Any soap will suck the oils out of any soft-feeling plastic (like that on the steering wheel and air-bag covers). Well, they'll remove any on the surface, which will cause more to come out of the plastic onto the surface.

    I'd go with TBH's suggestion.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    very creative!!
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Zoom zoom. :)

    TBH sounds like it's a performance-related acronym too. I like it. Glad you like it too.
  • pgb0001pgb0001 Member Posts: 7
    Just had my car complete the 15K service at our local (New Hampshire) authorized Mazda dealership.
    Total cost $37.00
    All that was needed was LOF and tire rotation.
  • upsdudeupsdude Member Posts: 7
    I have had my silver P5 for a year now. Two months after I got it I washed it with dish soap to remove the B.S.(does not harm clear coat)I started off with Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion and finished with Pinnacle Paste Glaze.I have 6 coats on now. This wax is made for light colored cars and I must say The extra money I spent on the wax was WELL worth it. Granted this is a carnauba wax and only lasts 60 to 90 days,but with the shine and depth I'm getting I don't mind waxing every other month. As far as the interior goes,I use 303 Aerospace Protectant.100% UV protection. You can make it as glossy as you want,or not at all. And has no petroleum solvents. Glass I use Stoners Invisible glass. Hopes this helps someone!
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Good choice in products!
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    The very best cleaner, available.

    -larry
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    Upsdude, some pictures would be great! You can post on free services like yahoo or imagestation and link them into your post.
  • upsdudeupsdude Member Posts: 7
    Before I started researching the vast array of car care products out there,I used to use ArmorAll.Oh I still use it,on the plastic in my wheel wells!Pss I don't have a digital camera.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    I've tried Stoners I.G. at length, but I still prefer my own mix of 1/3 Isopropyl Alcohol and 2/3 Distilled Water. Cuts through the grime better, leaves no film or streaks, and costs pennies.

    For great shine with a much longer life, I've had good luck with Mequire's Gold Class Paste (not the liquid). It's good for a solid 3 months.

    My all time favorite is Griot's Garage's Carnumba Best in Show Wax. brilliant stuff, but only last about a month. (www.griotsgarage.com)
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    Where is this available? Is it a lower gloss than Armor All?

    Thanks
    Bruce
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Don't compare 303 to Armor-All!!!!!!!

    It is a matte finish...low gloss. Looks like factory finish.

    You'll never guess where you can find it...

    Goto the Zellers "Automotive" department...It should be there!
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    Heh, heh, I knew that would get a response. Thanks But where in the US? Zellers is in Canada.

    Thanks
    Bruce
  • upsdudeupsdude Member Posts: 7
    You can get 303 at any marine store.You can also get it on line at autodetail.com.This site has everything imaginable for the auto nut.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Your Profile is confusing....wasn't sure if you were in Canada or what. Anyway, Zellers in Canada and that's all I know unless I want to mail-order it.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Zellers is roughly the equivalent of Wal-Mart or maybe Target in the US. Their signs used to remind me of K-Mart, but I think that may just be me:


    http://www.hbc.com/zellers/corporate/corporate.asp

  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Wal-marts in Canada...they don't carry 303.
  • jeffy729jeffy729 Member Posts: 45
    Has anyone tried this on the auto upholstery? I noticed it on autodetail.com (thanks upsdude!). It advertises blocking UV rays on cloth, My '99 Pro had tan cloth and after 3 years in the sun it faded somewhat (especially the top of the back seat). I don't want this to happen to my 2002 and I'm not crazy about window tinting. Thanks.
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    upsdude. Thanks. I will check it out.

    protege_fan. I am Canadian but live and work in the US.

    buggse. Technically they are not provinces so they are right in way.

    Bruce
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    This is a little off topic, but what makes a province a province vs. a territory anyway? Do the territories have less representation in the national government? Is it a matter of population density? etc.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    We ALL have less representation unless you happen to live in Quebec or Ontario (ie. the Center of the Universe).
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    http://www.nunavut.com/basicfacts/english/basicfacts_1territory.html


    A province exists in its own right, a creation of the Constitution Acts, 1867 - 1982.


    A territory, however, is created through federal law.

  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Wow. I wouldn't mind living in a place where there are only 24,730 people in almost 2 million square kilometers. Traffic would never be a problem.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    No way you'd catch me living up there. It's waaaaayyyyyyyyy North. Cold as cold can get there! Not to mention the isolation.
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    Yes but you need at least a Hummer 2 to get around.

    Bruce
  • stealthscottystealthscotty Member Posts: 4
    Greetings All! New to the group, certainly looks interesting.

    Just purchase a preowned '02 P5 in Vivid Yellow. Had more than usual chips in the paint on the front that I attributed to hazardous conditions frequented by previous owner. Unfortunately, with greater than my usual care, I am seeing more and more chips in the paint and I've only been driving it for 10 days! Has anyone seen or heard of problems with the paint on a P5 being overly fragile or lacking adhesion? This would be a tough warranty claim, but seems to lack ANY durability. Thoughts?
  • jeffy729jeffy729 Member Posts: 45
    Hi Scotty. I had my '02 just two weeks when I noticed a fairly good sized chip just above the windshield trim. I was surprised (since I heard nothing hit it). It really looks like a piece just flaked off. Bought some touch up paint from Mazda (it's a Garnet Red Mica). I have a few very small specks on the front of the hood now (it's has about 2500 miles now), but that's to be expected with a dark color. I post again if it get's worse.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I got the plugs, so I'm set for the 30k. There doesn't seem to be much to do other than plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, tire rotation and a visual inspection of the wear items and the chassis in general.

    I got a set of front brake pads too, just to have them on-hand. Looks like I still have about 40% left on the originals. Guess I don't brake much, so watch out if I'm following you. :)

    Anyways, I'll let you know how things go.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I just opened the box and there are all these little shiny metal clips. I can't imagine I have to find a home for every single one of these, do I?

    Oh well, guess I'll figure it out when I get around to it.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    are indicators that tell you you're running way too low on brake pads.

    when the brake pad goes below the little clip, the clip will make a nasty screech with the rotor to tell you it's time to replace the pads.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    The wear indicators are fastened to the pads.

    The shinny clips in the box are there to keep the pads from chattering in the caliper housing. There should be 4 wire clips and 4 flat spring steel clips.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    That makes sense. Kind of act like springs, huh?
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Just have to unbolt two of the connectors. I had to unclip the cables from one of them to access the bolt. These were easier to remove than the plug-fit ones (a little twisting helps to unseat these).

    I measured the gap on the old plugs to be a bit over 0.050in. Spec is for 0.044in (max) when new.

    No excess carbon deposits. No pitting. The plugs looked pretty clean.

    I did note that they gave me the plugs specified for the 1.8L instead of the ones for the 1.6L, but I detect no harm being done. They differ from my old plugs in that the central electrode has a v-notch cut into it.
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    I've paged through a good number of the posts regarding this vehicle. I've seen many posts about waxes, cleaning the windshield, etc., however none about mechanical problems/quality control issues.

    I say that because I am considering the purchase of a used Protege, '98-'00, as I want a car w/ great gas milegae, that looks fairly cool, and most importantly will be durable and last me as long as I want it to. The Protege seems a pretty good choice in all these factors. Although I have yet to test drive one, my opinion is that if I find one I like, a purchase won't be too far behind.

    Any suggestions on DX vs. LX vs. ES? I honestly like the idea of a bigger engine w/ the ES, only to have a little more control over acceleration. Also, I will likely purchase a Automatic.

    Thanks for your info Protege people!
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    You're right - the problem listings about Proteges are minimal, because, well, it is a well-made and reliable car - and a lot of fun to drive and own as well!

    My suggestion, if you're buying automatic, is to find a 1.8l engine version (the ES, for the years you list 98-2000) - you'll appreciate the extra power, and the better alloy wheels, as well as the tire size (15" in the 99-00) and will barely pay a premium for all that over the 1.6l engine versions, at least for a used car! However, since most Pro's sold are LXes, you may have more choice in that trim model. The 1.6l engine is gutsy, but lacks the extra oomph of the 1.8, but is still adequate for most tasks. My 95DX has the 1.5l older version, and while I feel its short on power, it can get out of its own way, and merge, and pull with 4-5 people and/or stuff in the trunk adequately for my needs.

    Also, bear in mind that the 98 is a different body style, and the 99/00 are the updated body style (barely different from the current one!) - so you may be better served (in terms of future resale, as well as improved ergonomics, interior etc, to go with the 3rd gen (99 or newer).

    Good luck, and do check back on the Protege board when (assuming you do) buy yourself one of these fine cars! They make a great deal used, because they seem to be a well-kept secret, and are not a rip off like the Civics and Corollas!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    great gas mileage?
    What does that mean?

    eg. I get 23/25 in city conditions and 30/31 in hghwy driving on my 99 ES 1.8l auto.
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    Thanks for the quick reply. I tend to agree w/ you regarding Honda's and Corolla's being over-priced. Maybe I'm just a cheap you know what, but I have issues w/ purchasing a vehicle priced between $8-10,000 w/ 60+M on them.

    My friend recently nabbed her fathers Protege, and has really enjoyed it. Once I started looking at the posts, nearly 700 of them w/ what I would call "nit-picky" maintainence issues and very few w/ serious issues, I realized I need to look further into this car. Even if you look at Honda posts, there are many problems not seen here. And don't get me started on the issues w/ VW's. They are a very well styled car, sound wonderful to drive, but the cost to own is just too much on my salary.

    I'm gonna try to get a test-drive this afternoon.
    Thanks!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    just let the engine warm up nice and hot before u u try her out. the 1.8L (and also 2.0L) are not so great when driven cold.
    But once warmed up, they are fun.
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    I would say that is pretty good gas mileage, much better then my fathers Buick I have been driving for the past couple years. Your 30/31 on highway is pretty similar to cars in its class.

    How do you like your ES?
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