Mazda6 Sedan

seaf

Let us know how the oil change goes newcar, I remember some people posted about changing the oil themselves and it looked bad on paper, but actually doing it wasn't too hard. I wonder if the car even needs to be raised to do the oil change.

seaf

Fully loaded may mean different things considering how many options are available for the mazda6. You didn't mention SAB/SAC and sports package, so I assume they're not included, if that's the case, the prices you were quoted seemed kind of high. If they are included, then that sounds more reasonable, I'd check the invoice prices, I think a non-sport package can probably be bought for around invoice these days.

karld1

oil change should be a breeze comp. to protege.
2.3l Duratec HE family has oil filter located in very convinient place, right on the bottom.

karld1

switch to AMSOIL 5-20 synthetic after 7500 miles and you'll love how much smoother and more refined your engine will perform.
My 2002P5 is much much smoother on Amsoil than on reg. oil.

karld1

what is the technical difference between Bose and stock systems?

Does Bose have separate 4 channel amp,
10" Subwoofer with Amp and all speakers (tweeters) upgrated from the stock version?

newcar31

I already know that I can change the oil on the Protege faster. Just drive it up on the ramps, drain the oil, unscrew the fitler, put a new one on, put the plug back in, add oil, done. 10 minutes.

I consider the Mazda6i's filter less accessible because you have to take that stupid plastic shroud off. They were always a pain in the butt on Audis. Hopefully Mazda's design is a little easier. We'll see, I'm doing it this weekend.

karld1

hey, congrats on the deal!
i always thought that filter change on 6 will be easiest thing to do.
My 2.0 pro5 has it in the middle and not really easily accesible.
I pay $10 for an oil change (my oil and filter) at least i can inspect the car from underneat every 4-5K miles
good luck.

stickguy

if I had a choice, I would absolutely go with the factory built car. Less worry, full warranty, and probably less money.

jitkl

Sometimes dealers ask to see your driver's license if you want to test drive their car; or after test driving their car. I wanted to know what the purpose behind this is? More importantly, can they run a random credit check without informing you with your license, or do they also need your SS#. Plus, can they find out your SS# from your driver's license. The reason why I ask is because everytime someone run's a check on your credit, your credit score gets affected..and if you want to test drive a number of cars at different dealers or manf. then that can have a serious consequence. Thus, I was wondering what you all think before I go out and test drive some vehicles. And if you don't mind me asking, for those with good driving records; what sort of insurance premiums have you all been getting in regards to the 6, vs. other cars? Thanks.

gtyler2000

I pronounce it "Blows" not "Bose".
But if it's the only way to get a feed for the subwoofer and larger amp, then I'd get it too.

I wonder if it helps to replace all the crappy Bose speakers. I would think the professionals would be able to do this without leaving any aftermarket trace.

Hasn't anyone done this yet?

mazda6s

Some dealers will do a credit check without asking you. In some states this is illegal. When I give them my license I politely remind them that it is illegal, and that if I caught them doing it I would bring charges. You might want to check your state laws on this.

mazdamarla

my 6-month insurance rate on my 6 is $386.95 for full coverage, with a $500 deductible with the kind of collision where I pay whether or not it's my fault (can't keep the names of the collision coverages straight). I'm 34, female, clean record, plus I have a multi-line and multi-car discounts and have been with State Farm for a long time.

dinu01

Here in Toronto ALL major dealers make a photocopy of your license before handing you the keys to a test drive. It's for insurance purposes.

Dealers that sell 2nd hand cars usually don't.

Dinu

choppermaker

What kind of oil is everyone putting into their 6? Are you using synthetics, or whatever the dealer or service shop puts in, or something else? What weight are you using? What brands make a 5W-20 oil?

akumaz

That scares me that almost every time that I have walked into a car dealership, they could have been doing a credit check. I'm still establishing my credit record, and I wouldn't want it to be dragged down as a result.

I went to the Mazda dealership to check out the car I got the call on yesterday. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a fully-loaded sport model in Lapis Blue- not the Steel Grey model I wanted. He also misquoted a number of options. So I'm wondering whether or not to even trust this guy in the future, or to attempt to make a deal for my 6 with this guy.

cookie01

I've gone to dealers that NEVER asked me for my licence. In fact, when I test drove a Murano with my brother, I had left my wallet in his car and didn't even have my licence with me when I was driving! So it could depend on the dealer or the state. (my mazda dealer also did not ask, i'm in Oregon)
If the dealer has insurance concerns, they might ask to see your licence and have you carry it with you on the drive. But there's NO REASON for them to make a copy or keep it.
I would guess dealers that do this are trying to create a file on you, so they can call you later or yeah... check your credit.
It helps to have a "relationship" with the salesperson. The Murano guy had met me maybe two times before as we researched this new vehicle. From Edmunds, I ended up knowing more about the car than he did! So I think he trusted me and knew I wasn't out to steal his car.

newcar31

I'm using motorcraft 5w20 from Wal Mart at about $1.70 a quart despite the controversy over 5w20. All 5w20 is semi-synthetic because it uses some hydro-cracked oil for base stock.

audia8q

apx 20-30 salespeople per year are carjacked and injured or killed on test drives....one reason for making a copy of the license and leaving it at the sales desk is they know who has their car and salesperson ....it also satifies our insurance company rules by only letting so called licenced drivers driving our cars...

CT does not use social security numbers as driver lic numbers...some states do and anyone who lets them is a fool. with a social sec. number anyones life can be totally destroyed.

vocus

A couple of dealers didn't ask me when I was test driving cars to buy one. I know some states use the SSN as the driver's license # though (VA is one of these states). MD doesn't, so they couldn't check my credit anyway without my SSN.

On a side note, I think there is a way to get a different license # in those states that use the SSN. I would definitely do that if I were in the situation.

capitano

In Virginia you can opt for a unique DL number unrelated to your SSN. You have to ask and sometimes after asking, they will still mess it up.

I test drove a car last week, and the salesguy made a copy of my license. I didn't think much of it because my SSN is not on the license.

Can they run a credit check without an SSN?

cookie01

Re: apx 20-30 salespeople per year are carjacked and injured or killed on test drives...

This makes sense on the surface. But seriously... do folks that are going to steal a car or hurt or kill a salesperson carry valid driver's licences??? I think no... So making a copy of whatever expired or stolen, forged or whatever licence they give you doesn't seem like much protection.
We have a law in Portland that you have to carry proof of insurance.(or your car is impounded) The big scam is fake insurance cards. They're easy to come by and look just like the real thing. By the time anyone can check with the company to make a claim, the driver is long gone.

dinu01

"Can they run a credit check without an SSN?"

I have done credit checks in the past with just the DL#, name, address, DOB. Of course a SSN (Social Ins. # in Canada) is preferred b/c you can get more info, but it's illegal in Canada to ask for it (SSN/SIN), even for CR check purposes - at least that's what I think, but very few people know about it, so we always ask anyway. This is Canada-only info, but it might be similar in the US...

Dinu

ashutoshsm

I had mine done at my usual (Protege-era) place. Bought my own filter/ O-rings (2 from the dealer) for $15-ish, and 5 quarts (need 4.5) of Mobil 1 0W20 (equivalent to 5W20)

He let me in to watch, as it was the 1st 6 he was changing the oil to as well.

6/7 small metallic bolts on the plastic cover, and one irritating plastic binder (kinda like the thingie on the rear windshield deck carpet thing, around the speakers in the Pro). Some people have had luck using jar openers for it, I think.

He had an adjustable circumference (Allen?) wrench, so the filter removal was a breeze. Removed the drain lpug (oil initially drains backwards at a great angle - be sure to place the drain pan sensibly!) and we were good to go.

He couldn't figure out where the smaller O ring went (I found out later - but since it was only on for 1200 miles, I'll swap the new one in at the next change)> Also, FYI, the large filter cartridge O-ring was undamaged, but we still put the new one in. I saved the 'old' one for next oild change.

When the oil filter cartridge is unscrewed, the cartridge pops down and spews more oil - watch out - almost .4-.5 quarts, as per the manual! Remove the filter from inside, it isn't attached per se, and place the new one in (after replacing the small O ring deeper inside, which we never got around to doing in my case). Then replace the outer O-ring near the bottom of the threads of the cartridge/casing and hand fasten/tighten.

We added appr. 4.4-4.5 (after closing the drain plug, of course - which happens to have a nice built-in washer attached to it or the engine bottom) quarts, started her up, and checked the oil level. Perfect!

Replace the plastic cover - attach one front screw & the front plastic latch/clip.whatever, first. They're within an inch or so of each other. Also hook in the rear end of the plastic cover. Then go around attaching the remaining bolts. Done!

(My 'Front' and 'rear' are always relative to the car)

ashutoshsm

Remember to find the appropriate threads on the 'other' discussion forum. Also - my dealer (parts guy) later gave me a print out of the blowup of the filter area and its design/components. That's when I figured out where the little O-ring went.

Your owners' manual also has a few pages about oil changes.

mazdamarla

Consumers Reports had a car-buying article a couple months ago - maybe it was the April auto issue? Anyway, they had tips for car-buying, negotiating with dealers, etc. One of them was that the dealer has NO VALID REASON for having your social security number, and to NOT provide it. According to the article, they will sometimes run credit checks while you're out testing the vehicle, without your knowing it, which could "ding" your credit score. Don't give them your SSN and also tell them NOT to run a credit check on you. For all they know, before you start really "talking money", etc., you might be paying CASH and there's no reason for them TO run a credit check on you since you wouldn't be needing financing.

audia8q

nothing is perfect...but what your saying is something like...well banks get robbed so why bother having alarms.

The bottom line is we try our best to fend off any potential problems. Also connecticut has alot of items on the license that makes forgery hard...Also, we are online directly with our states MVD..we also can take the number and run it through motor vehicle and get the results instantly....if your lic is a phoney, i know in seconds.

newcar31

"When the oil filter cartridge is unscrewed, the cartridge pops down and spews more oil"

I thought there was an allen head drain plug for the filter housing?

And I'm guessing the smaller O-ring is for the filter stem?

seaf

So when is the "special tool" used? I've heard it mentioned a few times by people here. Seems like everything can be done with regular tools.

newcar31

No special tool. My Protege said the same thing. I used my hand to get the oil filter off.

For the 6i, I know you'll need something to get the fasteners off of the plastic shroud, an allen wrench to drain the filter housing, and a jar lid remover or band wrench to get the filter housing cap off. Nothing too special....

auto_clown

In the mail today I received a recall notice on my 6 for two items... 1)Check engine light and 2)Brake reservoir level.

Apparently they have fixed the programming that had caused some people's CEL light to come on erroneously. I actually had my car in at the dealers a couple days ago for an oil change, and he mentioned they were working on resolving it, but that the file was so huge they couldn't download it over the internet because of concerns about lost data. I think Mazda has to send a CD out to all the dealers for the reprogramming.

The brake reservoir level had to do with when they filled the brake fluid at the plant, it may have caused something with the sensor so that owners would not have their "brake fluid low" light come on.

Sorry I can't provide more detail, this is just what I jotted down from a phone conversation.

ashutoshsm

The O-ring would go on after the drain valve IN the filter cartridge had been opened! The blow-up and cutaway of the filter showed that the O-ring went in that end, I just couldn't imagine (now that the filter was already back int he car) how I'd get that deep in the cartridge base to replace a washer, and why.

This makes sense though. Make sure to check the other forum

vocus

One can run a credit check without an SSN, but it's like shooting a dart into a dark room. You never know how many people with your name exist in the same area, and therefore it's a waste of their money to pull a credit report on someone who may or may not be you.

shawnvt

Has anyone tried to put a full size spare tire in place of the doughnut that is in the trunk now? I am concerned that if I get a flat (on 17" rims) the 15" doughnut will mess up the alignment.

Shawn

caligirl94

I recently had two flat tires (see my earlier post) on the freeway. Both flats were on the driver's side, and the tow truck driver had to put on the spare just to tow it to the dealership. It looked a bit low in the back as he got everything hooked up, but it was fine for the trip to the dealership... no damage or anything. I don't know if the alignment got messed up or not because they had to redo the alignment anyhow after replacing the alloys and tires.

FYI- it appears that Mazda decided to use old 626 spare tires for the 6... When the spare tire was pulled out, it had "M-626" printed along the tread. I guess as long as it's a spare and it works, what does it matter. Just thought that was interesting... must have had some "spare" spare tires sitting around the plant.

joe2617

Its no problem running a credit check with your name and address. That being said, with the new privacy laws no respectable dealership is going to run a credit check without your O.K.
 Cookie- nobody is allowed to take a test drive at our dealership with-out providing a D.L. We make a copy for the same reason as Audia's dealership; we want to know who our salesperson is with and to make sure that the person driving has a valid lic., even if it is fake (it's nearly impossible to forge a N.J. D.L)the dealership is still covered. If there is a problem we can't be held accountable for someone elses fraud. We are happy to give the copy of the lic. back to the customer if they ask, otherwise, it's destroyed if they don't buy a car.

cubfan2

Karl/Everyone:
Did you ever get an answer on your question if the Bose amp was a 4 channel and if so what is the wattage? Also are the speakers in the Bose system true upgrades? If so, what can they handle, etc.? Still very up-in-the-air about the Bose...my biggest disappointment is that I cannot use a Pioneer/Alpine/Blaupunkt because I certainly don't want to disrupt the great dash in the 6...Anyone have counsel on this?

newcar31

I just did it. There are 7 10mm bolts and one phillips head plastic fastener to get the plastic shroud off. After that, drain the oil filter housing using a 6mm allen wrench. The small O-ring is for the filter housing drain plug. I was able to get the filter housing cap off with my hand. Either mine wasn't on as tight as everyone else's, or I still have the Jiffy Lube oil filter super grip hand. It WAS on tight enough to slightly collapse the factory oil filter though. The filter comes out with the filter housing cap. The big O-ring is for the filter housing cap. Replace the filter and screw the cap back on hand tight. Then, just drain the oil pan with a 15mm wrench and re-fill. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most difficult, this oil change is a 5 just because of the plastic shroud. It's not too bad.

You shouldn't have to replace the O-rings for every oil change, but I'd keep a set on hand just in case. I bought them this time, but I didn't use them.

Now I smell like 5W20, time to go take a shower.....

fowler3

It has been reported on local evening news stations and on Internet news web sites many times recently -- dealers asking for your DL opens the door to ID theft! They may keep the copy, but if the salesman throws it in the trash later it could wind up in dangerous hands. It could take years to straighten it out.

On the news, they said it is one of the major ways ID theft is done. Dealers and sales people should: run copies through a cross-cut paper shreader or burn them, after the test drive. Better yet, do not depend on others to keep your identity safe -- ask the sales person for your DL copy before you leave. If dealers have a right to protect their butts, customers also have that right.

North Carolina also uses SSNs as the license number. Banks use to put SSNs on personal checks, now they do not for the same reason.

fowler3

mazda6s

I ask for the copy of my DL when I leave. They look at me a little funny, but they give it to me anyway.

libertycat

Had a quick ? I live in Bend, OR (50,000 people) and travelled to Hillsboro, OR (100,000 people). Bend has ZERO user car lots and Hillsboro has about twenty. The amount of dealerships is about the scale of the amount of people (twice as many in Hillsboro than Bend). Why do you think there are so many used car lots in Hillsboro? Also, I have travelled to San Diego, CA, and saw ZERO used car lots. Weird.

jhtlag

Just took delivery of my Sepang Green 6i this afternoon: I'm pretty happy. Thanks to stretchsje many months ago for suggesting a certain dealership. I celebrated by having a "Gelato" at Rita's in Frederick, MD.

I took what they had, will probably change two things, the cloth seats and the basic stereo. As remarked here before, the cloth seats are pretty stiff, which isn't bad in one sense as they are very supportive, but leather would be nicer. See how it goes with the stereo, from what I'm used to it is a step up.

Anyway, I'm up to a wopping 96 miles now.

cheers, lag

r2s2

Congrats, lag! I've had my Redfire for 8 days now. Hope you like your 6 as much as I like mine.

igota6s

The recall notice I received Thursday only had the brake reservoir recall...no mention of the check engine light. Mine is a 6S, so maybe the problem with the CEL is with the 6I?

jhtlag

You know how sometimes your expectations run ahead of you and when you finally get the (in this case) car you're a little disappointed because you built it up too much? None of that. The seats are just as nice as I remember them, I had to take the wing, wasn't sure how that would look, got there, looked great with the green(Before, I probably wouldn't have chosen that option), and going around curves with the 16" alloys, wow! (The 17's must be awesome.) etc. etc. etc.

Today was one of those few days that remind you of first loves, puppy dogs... it wouldn't have surprised me in the least if there had been a fireworks display somewhere. (OK, I'm a little pumped, I'll shut up.)

The dealership was 40 miles from my home. I had no one to drive me so I took my bike in my car and drove half way back and rode the bike back to the dealership to pick up the car. I'll ride the other 20 miles to pick up my old car tomorrow. Riding a bike (bicycle) is a good thing which added to making this a great day.

Think I'll get to sleep tonight? Nah!

lag

pzev

Ok I've read that the 2.3 is starting to show some problems. Nothing specific, it was a vague statement. Is this a case of false rumors or has anyone actually had any problems with the 2.3 engine or any other owners complained about it? Has anyone heard anything that could be considered a problem or is it all rumors?

loupie

Excellent job explaining the oil change procedure on the 6i. It doesn't sound as bad as I'd thought.

Loupie

seaf

Heh! that's awesome lag. Good for you! My bike got stolen last summer and haven't gotten around to replacing it yet. Will probably replace my car before my bike.

seaf

I haven't heard anything bad about the 2.3 engine. probably rumors that people try to start because they're jealous of the new mazda6. I saw on msn car reviews, a lot of short aweful reviews of the mazda6, seemed like it was posted by a few people since they weren't very detailed and some of the facts aren't even right. Also they didn't require an account to post so credibility is out the door. The internet is great, but you have to be careful about what you read since anyone can say anything.

narenji

i assume you got the filter kit at a dealer? i was hoping that the local auto parts stores get their acts together and get a replacement filter, b/c i'd rather not go to the dealer unless i had to.

newcar31

Yeah, I got it at the dealer. I don't think there are any aftermarket filters for this car, so your local autoparts store won't be able to carry them. If you know of a place that carries Motorcraft oil filters, you might be able to find it there.

As soon as Ford starts using this engine in more cars and trucks, then I think we'll see some aftermarket support.