Car help (Mazda related).

Hello to everyone.
I just bought a 2000 Mazda Protege with 85,000 miles on it. I have never owned a mazda before, so I don't know much about them. It is a LX model with a 1.6 liter engine.

I read through the manual, but I didn't see anything on the transmission fluid changes or maintenance. I did do a search, but I could not find an exact answer to what I'm about to ask.

1. The engine has an original 85,000 miles on it and the previous owner never did a transmission fluid change. Should I have someone do this for me, or should I tackle this myself? Keep in mind that I have never done a tranny fluid change. Does it make a big difference if a shop does it with their fancy equipment, or not?

2. I hear that I need 2.9 qts for the change. What is the best fluid to buy (price does not matter), for the fluid has never been changed. Are they any additives that can make a difference in a motor of such high mileage? Also, are there any other parts I should buy when changing the fluid?

3. I asked a guy at my work place about this and he told me not to do this because of some 'gasket rings'. He said since the fluid had never been changed, the tansmission and it's components would not take a liking to the new fluid. Does this make any sense?

That is all I can think of at this time, so any help is greatly appreciated, as are any links and such.

Daklighterx said:

3. I asked a guy at my work place about this and he told me not to do this because of some 'gasket rings'. He said since the fluid had never been changed, the tansmission and it's components would not take a liking to the new fluid. Does this make any sense?

.

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What the hell? Change the trans fluid damn it.

Is it the Wagon? I wish Mazda still made those, I really like them better than the new 3s. Anyway, I'd get the transmission fluid changed and I'd do an engine flush as well... would need one of those soon anyway, and it should make the car feel a lot smoother (depending on how well it was maintained to begin with).

Cool. So I should change the tranny fluid and flush the engine? I've never done eother, but I suppose there is a first time for everything.

It's the Protege' 4dr sedan.

So, shop, or do it myself?

automatic or manual?

Well, the engine flush requires a machine, and some people swear they aren't worth the money, but when you near the 100K mark, I think they are a good idea. The transmission fluid you can change yourself, or just have someone do it for you (it shouldn't cost that much to have done at any place that would change the oil). Doing it yourself is rewarding, but you may want to watch someone do it first so you know how it is done... very simple, though.

nruva said:

Well, the engine flush requires a machine, and some people swear they aren't worth the money, but when you near the 100K mark, I think they are a good idea. The transmission fluid you can change yourself, or just have someone do it for you (it shouldn't cost that much to have done at any place that would change the oil). Doing it yourself is rewarding, but you may want to watch someone do it first so you know how it is done... very simple, though.

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Will do. By the way, it is automatic.

I work for a warranty company and looked it up and don't see a recomended time for trans fluid . The only major service would be to change timing belt at 105K. Some transmissions are sealed and you can't change it . If it was me I would not worry about it . Sometimes if you waited this long without getting one if they change the fluid it would start to slip .

Hmmm...this is exactly what the other guy told me. Now I'm confused.

The best way, go to a good mechanic in the area and get all the fliuids changed including:

THe transmission fluid
Oil
oil Filter
Fuel Filter
Power Steering fluid
Coolant flush

I would get this done ASAP. the car needs it.

Highlander67 said:

I would get this done ASAP. the car needs it.

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Again not all cars require a trans service and doing so does more bad than good .
If it aint broke don't fix it . The owners manual is the bible and if its not in there it does not need it .

FatGuy said:

Again not all cars require a trans service and doing so does more bad than good .
If it aint broke don't fix it . The owners manual is the bible and if its not in there it does not need it .

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Well, im pretty sure the manual would say to replace most of the items I have listed already. Most of those fluids are usually changed between 30 to 50 K. Plus I think the protege has a timing chain but I'll have to double check.

Highlander67 said:

Well, im pretty sure the manual would say to replace most of the items I have listed already. Most of those fluids are usually changed between 30 to 50 K. Plus I think the protege has a timing chain but I'll have to double check.

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Do you think I'm pulling this stuff out of my ass , thats what I do all day .

FatGuy said:

Do you think I'm pulling this stuff out of my ass , thats what I do all day .

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You pull stuff out of your ass all day?

nruva said:

You pull stuff out of your ass all day?

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in and out

FatGuy said:

Do you think I'm pulling this stuff out of my ass , thats what I do all day .

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I never said you pulled it out of your ass. But changing the tranny fluid, the oil and fuel filter and doing a coolant flush is a given for any car or truck for things to get done.

Transmission fluid replacement

http://www.diynet.com/diy/ab_transmission/article/0,2021,DIY_13700_2270920,00.html

Coolant System flush

http://www.frisbytire.com/english/maintenance.htm

Oil CHange every 3 to 5 thousand miles depending on where you live

Fuel Filter

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/how...edia_html/ccr/ccr20010701ff/ccr20010701ff.htm

Those are generic guides that are great if you have nothing to work with . In his case he has #1 his owners manual and #2 a fat man with some spare time on his hands that looked it up for him . I don't care either way I'm just here for the +1

I'm not bashing what your saying but even though he may have the drivers manual and you to help, doesn't mean that he shouldn't get these services done periodically to ensure his car will keep running good. Plus it also depends on where he houses his car. I know in arizona, the driver's manual is written based upon your vehicle housed in the midwest, not the desert. I guess it all depends.

Highlander is right, between the heat, the dust, constant burning sun, we have to do extra things to our cars to keep them up. I had a 1995 Caprice 9c1 and was only able to use synthetic fluids in the tranny and the engine, I did this because of the extra heat. I also used a K&N air filter, but I cleaned it twice as often as recomended due to the dust. Brake fluid is also something that I changed pretty regularly.

Highlander67 said:

The best way, go to a good mechanic in the area and get all the fliuids changed including:

THe transmission fluid
Oil
oil Filter
Fuel Filter
Power Steering fluid
Coolant flush

I would get this done ASAP. the car needs it.

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Well I checked the manual again, but can't find anything on the Transmission fluid, other than checking the level. It says nothing about totally replacing it.
I think I'm gonna go ahead and have the fluid flushed and changed.

Fucking cryptic manual. My Chevy breaks everything down to the letter.

If you have a cottman transmission, the usual cost to replace fluid for the transmission is around 20-30 dollars. It's a safer way to know the fluid is replaced.

if the transmission fluid is a dark color then you might wanna have a shop change it for these good reasons.

1. The transmission is a very expensive part and a main part of the car you might not wanna mess with.

2. It's going to need seals lubricated and crap like that, some will need to be replaced if it's been this long.

3. if you do the job the seals won't get replaced or lubricated and it could potentially fall apart.

and finally if you do it in a shop it'll be a bit over 100. I think like 120-140, but you get a warranty if you go to a good shop.