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Any input would be great. Thanks alot.
draymond2... You should expect your ES to get slightly better mileage over the next few thousand miles. However, 25 mpg in mixed driving isn't that bad, but could be better. How much traffic do you sit in? Remember, if the engine is on but you are not moving, you are getting 0 mpg.
The Mazda Tribute is still a fairly hot vehicle on the market and most dealers won't take the S-Plan on it. However, I am sure there are some that do, it is just a matter of finding them. If not, I am sure Ford dealerships take the S-Plan on the less-than-popular Escape. I know, I know... I would rather pay full sticker to get the Tribute rather than drive an Escape...
Was encouraged by another member to quit lurking and start talking.
Got my white '00 ES in January of this year; approx. 4600 trouble-free miles so far. Actually, there were a couple of troubles, but due more to the perils of city-living than anything else (a couple of grand in bodywork in the first six months...ugh. And if anybody in the area knows of a body place that is actually familiar with Mazdas, PLEASE let me know. These jokers near my house put my car back together upside-down. Fortunately, they were very nice about re-fixing it, once they figured out what they had done wrong).
My first Protege, actually my first car, ever. As a city-dweller, I never really was anxious to drive. Finally broke down and got a license eight days before I visited the dealership. Considered Mazda because family members out east had been loyal owners over the years. VERY happy with my choice.
I would encourage other owners in these parts who may be lurking to check out speedypt's post (#4206) about a Chicago Area Protege Picnic.
We're not going to let those Mid-Atlantic folks show us up, are we??
-Larry
-Larry
I'm curious to know what cars other people have mistaken your Protege's for. I see MAYBE a handful of other Pro's per week...it seems like folks around here just aren't that familiar with them.
Consequently, I've heard the following comments from friends/co-workers:
"Oh, that's your new car?
Whadja get, a Mercedes?"
[this person was dead serious, so I tried not to laugh]
"Oh, that's your new car?
Whadja get, a Corolla?"
[a little irksome, but I have to admit, there are still times I find myself wandering towards white Corollas before I remember to look at the side mirrors]
And the most absolutely infuriating comment to date:
"Oh, that's your new car?
Whadja get, a Daewoo?"
-------
Larry--
Thanks for the greeting...that's some beautiful country you live in. Must make for some great zoom zooming. I'm sure you're more than welcome to come to our CAPP...are you volunteering to bring all the food?
All joking aside I was a little surprised that a 93 Civic EX with a 1.6L was able to beat my 01 2.0L Protege. Especially when I think that the Civic costs $3,000 vs. $15,000. Oh well, guess I will keep this car till I am out of negative and then it's back to Hondas. Not new Hondas, but maybe a nice 96-98 Civic.
got trany fluid changed, engine oil changed (both 100% synthetic). also changed spark plugs.
but I sort of feel that the car's gotten sluggish between 0-2500 RPM. Doesn't feel as peppy. feels fine above 2500 RPM....revs freely.
any ideas on what could be causing this?
:-)
Respectfully(I think?),
Larry
Chikoo, get a new fuel filter too. What kind of plugs did you use?
-Larry
Newcar1, i used std. OEM NGK sparkplugs (made in Japan).
where is the fuel filter located?
could you kindly repeat your query?
(or the post no)
This is one of the busier discussions on the Sedans board, and sometimes things get lost. It is always okay to repost your question if you haven't gotten an answer. (Or you can do what I just did - right click on the post number (which is actually a link) of your original post, choose "copy link" (or whatever your browser presents you) and then paste it into a new post. That makes it easy for someone to find your original post.)
On the other hand, it could be that no one who has seen your post so far knows what to suggest for you.
Please keep checking back. I'm sure if anyone here has any helpful suggestions, they will let you know. This really is a great group of people - give them a chance - you are very welcome here.
Meanwhile, you may want to look into some of the exterior care discussions going on over on our Maintenance and Repair Board. You may find some ideas there that you could bounce off the folks here.
Either way, let us know how it turns out. We *all* know how it feels to confront that sort of scratch, and you have our utmost empathy.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
fowler3
I hope that works!
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Ask your dealer's parts department to order (if they don't have it onhand) touch up paint for your car. It usually comes in a small bottle with a brush that is too stiff and too large. Don't use the included brush.
Go to a hobby shop, or art supplies store, and buy a small, pointed brush for painting plastic models. Use this brush to apply the touch up paint, a little at a time. Do not overlap on to the rest of the paint, just fill the scratch. Fortunately, it's down low.
One member also suggested using the end of a paper match, they come in books with folded flaps. Not many around since smokers use disposable lighters. Soften the paper end and dip into the paint. You might also try a wood tooth pick using just the tip to hold a tiny bit of paint and slowly fill the scratch.
Your main objective is to prevent rust and to hide the scratch. If you have to choose between filling the scratch completly and simply hiding it, try the latter first. If it looks OK leave it. It's very difficult to match the level of the paint finish and not make a blob that casts a shadow. Two dobs, or layers, should do it, let it dry before applying the second one.
Hope this helps you.
fowler3
Nematode,
Very interesting. I've encountered a similar problem (speedometer reading lower than true speed)and I wonder if its common (maybe even universal?) among 01 ES's. When I first got my car and cruised the freeways at my usual speed, it felt faster than I was used to, and it seemed I was passing other cars faster than normal. I convinced myself that it was just the stiffer suspension and shorter wheelbase which made the little bumps a bit more abrupt giving the impression of more speed.
But then I paced my Pro against my wife's VW Passat and found the gauges read almost exactly 5mph different. I was quite surprised that the difference was this big. I don't know for sure which one is accurate, but next time I'm out on a long trip with open roads, I'll pop on the cruise and pull out the stopwatch and find out.
Now I haven't experienced any 15 mph differences like you have, but perhaps these can be attributed to:
a.) I've got the same tires, but keep my tire pressure at the recommended 32psi, so your tires will be *slightly* larger.
b.) The BMW reads even a little higher than my VW (Hmmm, I notice both the comparison cars are german, maybe they can't convert kph to mph???
c.) Your speedometer reads even lower than mine.
d.) Measurement error. My measurements were done specifically to check the speedometers with cruise controls on over quite a few miles. I'd guess mine are good to + or - 1 mph for the relative speed between the two cars. I imagine when somebody wants to comment on how fast you were going, there is a tendency to exaggerate a bit. If he was reading 97, I can see how one would be tempted to say "Dude, did you know you were going 100 out there?" And since your speeds varied quite a bit over the trip, you may not be talking about the same instant in time. Maybe your speed creeped up when you weren't looking, but your buddy was looking. These things could account for at least a few mph (though definitely not the whole 15 mph).
Anyway, it would be interesting to find out if others are experiencing the same thing. If so is it restricted to the '01's? the ES's? those with dunlop's? And I be interested if anyone has paced their Pro over a known length route at a fixed speed to determine in an absolute sense (my measurements are only relative) whether the speedometer is reading low
Ever notice the specs on other devices saying, "Plus or minus 2% or 3%". Same thing. Tolerances.
To get an absolutely correct speedometer reading go to a State police station and ask them to calibrate your speedometer for you. That is, check it and give you the amount of correction needed. Then go to your dealer and have them correct it using the police figure.
They use to do this, but maybe in some states catching speeders takes more of their time.
The other way is to drive on highways that have mile posts. Start your check at the first post at 60mph, note the time, and note the time at the second mile post. Calculate the difference. Use the car clock so you don't miss the second mile post looking at your wristwatch.
With mile posts you aren't comparing two variables, as between two cars, which is much more difficult since both are probably wrong.
In some states I have seen mile posts with signs stating that for the next five miles the posts are measured accurately. It's one of the reasons they put them there. Where no signs exist, but mile posts do, they are approximate distances between exits and provide more accurate locations for reporting accidents on Interstates and limited access highways.
fowler3
edmund2460; mpg..Sadly I need an auto trans. For consistency I always run the pump at full capacity and don't add beyond the initial shut off. I suppose if one let it shut off twice at full capacity every time consistency wouldn't be any different. A while back I got ?35mpg? on a trip of around 180 miles (in one direction only) and thought it must have been a fluke. This was before I put in Mobil 1 at the initial oil change. But then I've always been doubtful about seeing any discernible increase in mpg due to syn oil. Then I don't know enough about it to have an informed opinion. Any thoughts on any of this fowler3 or jstandefer?
Motor Trend TV just had blurbs about the '02 Nissan Sentra w/optional 180 hp I4 about the same price as the '02 MP3 which they showed along with the P5. Gotta get Mazda to hire away the person who choses engines at Nissan. )
Didn't know speedos could be adjusted. How do they do it?
Before, when doing it using the mile post method, you either had it adjusted or allowed for it on trips. Since mechanical things wear in time, adjusting it might not have been the best answer.
Just heard on the news that a couple was attacked by a shark on the North Carolina Outerbanks. The man died and the 22-year-old woman was flown to the same hospital in Virginia where the 10-year-old boy was taken Saturday.
I HOPE they aren't Meade and wife!! They were headed to the Outerbanks this weekend.
fowler3
Respectfully,
Larry
So for consistency's sake, I guess that means I should say something about Larry's last post. Larry, you sound hungry. Are you sure you ate dinner tonight?
On the plus side, I love the way the car drives and I am getting great gas mileage. I just wish I had a few more horses under the hood and cheaper insurance, then I would be in car heaven.
I have to rule out:
1. Bad Fuel filter -> High RPM perf. would suck
2. Bad Air filter -> again...high RPM is great
Question is:
I did not adjust the GAP on the spark plugs as they were MAZDA OEM NGK spark plugs(it had japanese lettering all over the box) for PRO ES.
I believe they should have been adjusted at the factory and be ready to use out-of-the-box.
So. Did i make a mistake?
Also,
I opened my air filter and surprisingly, there is less dirt in there(in 2.5 years) than what my vaccuum cleaner collects in day.
But again the filter color is kinda orange color. Is that normal color?
Another thing I observed: it makes a booming sound during the 1500-2500 RPM range if I push the gas pedal from dead start....not If I allow it to roll a bit and then push the gas pedal.
Jerry....why don't you get the Mazda Extended warranty? At invoice price of 600/- or so(for next 4 years), it's cheaper than AAA roadside towing assistance only which cost 65/- per year.
Reading the Audi posts forum one poster said he called roadside assistance and got a number in Canada. What if he had been in Key West, Florida? LOL!
fowler3
My car has been mistaken for an Audio A4 before, as well as a Mercedes C-Class. I just say to the people, "No, it's a Protege", and they look at me kinda dumbfounded. Ugh.
I am finally talking my dad into getting his driver's license at the age of 55. I told him we would go and look for a car for him (something like an Accent or something, because he wouldn't drive that much). He wasn't having it. He said he wanted to share my car. "Share MY car???", I said in return? He said, "yeah, I wanna see what Mazda means by those ZOOM ZOOM commericals that I keep seeing on TV". Looks like I am in trouble now. Hope my dad doesn't end up taking over my Protege like my mother took over my 1999 DX when I had it.
I will change it....but my brain says....it's clean...why do you want to change it.
some one tell me why? pleaseeeee.
I thought this was a simple compressed paper filter.
Somebody please confirm this, please.
are they crazy?