So I just got my car back from its 24000km service. (approx 15000 miles for you American folk)

Anyway I had them look at a bunch of things:

#1 The A/C. I wasn't really upset with the A/C but I wanted it tested so I mentioned the A?C amplifier TSB. They tested it and it came back within the standards for Mazda. 6-8 Celsius. Not big deal

#2 I asked them to update the Flash. They had the R flash so that's what I got. Having only driven the car home I don't know if it will effect my mpg but one thing I noticed is that the flat spot at 6500-7500rpm is completely gone! It actually freaked me out because as I was expecting the flat spot but it kept on pulling.

#3 I have already had my brake pads replaced buit the replacement pads are making noise now also. They said that they can't replace these under warranty again and that I could have the rotars machined but that is also not under warranty. So I need to hear from anybodt that might have had them replaced more than once. I think this is bullshit. If there warranty work didn't fix the peoblem I shouldn't have to pay to have it fixed. Any suggestions?

#4 There is also an optional service to have them go over the car and check that everything is still tight on the car. You have to pay for this and normally I wouldn't pay for something like this but......since I've had my engine previously replaced I thought it might be a good idea to have this done. When they replaced the engine they pulled everythign apart so this gives me a bit of piece-of-mind.



Overall the car feels great since the service work. Now I just need to find some twisties!!!!

 

That is great news about the R Flash. I have been wondering about this nasty little flat spot When I spoke to the lovely lady at my dealership she basically told me that if I was getting the RPM at around 7000 I was going pretty fast and well ....uum well <insert phone smile here> "you can bring it in so our advisor can do a testdrive with you sir"....My response was "but it's a rotary! 7000 shouldnt be a problem!"


Does this flash incorporate all the other previous alphabetical flashes that came prior to it? What do they do when they get to the Z flash?

 

they replaced your engine??

what happened??

 

That was last year...about a month after I bought the car. It lost compression and they shipped me a new engine from Japan. The old engine was always much rougher at idle, less power and less mpg. It even sounded different the the new one. The new engine has been perfect.

 

^congrats on a nice new engine that works as it's supposed to do :D

 

how much did you pay for the optional stuff? I'm a bit overdue for my 24,000 checkup...

 

R Flash? First I've heard of it. Geez, I just got the N Flash a couple of weeks ago. What happened to O, P, and Q?

I had my brakes replaced in October due to squealing. The new pads were fine until a month ago, when they started squealing too. When my 8 was in a couple of weeks ago, the mechanic said he couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes. So, after two more weeks of squealing, my car's going in the shop Thursday. Hopefully they'll find something, or I'll have to go to a new mechanic.

Let me know what happens with yours. I'm not expecting to pay for the upcoming work, as my thinking is along the same lines as yours.

 

^ which dealer did you go to...I went to Sunridge.

 

I paid about $85 for that. The only reason why I got this done was because I've had the whole drive-train out of my car before. I'd just feel better having everything checked over again. If I hadn't had the engine replaced I wouldn't have had this done so soon.

 

What did you ask for (optional stuff)? I think I'm gonna go to Sunridge too.

The maintenance schedule in the manual says:
- clean air filter
- inspect engine coolant level
- inspect function of all lights
- inspect brake and clutch fluid levels
- inspect disc brakes
- lubricate all locks and hinges

Is that all that you got done? I guess I can do everything but the last 2 myself. I didn't include the oil and filter change since I already do that myself.

 

I had more done than that....they basicly took a wrench to the under side of my car and made sure everything was still tight. I don't have the list with me here at work.

 

The brakes I would'nt worry to much about.
All performance brakes have a tendency (sp?) to squeel. It's the material that they are made of. Sometimes a good bedding of the brakes eliminates this. Try that first.

 

Good news, I just got a call from the dealer. Yesterday when they told me that they wouldn't replace my brakes again I told them fine but that I would be contacting Mazda about ti. I didn't out the blame on the dealer but did say to them I thought that it was wrong that I should have to pay forrepairing a problem that they didn't resolve...well today the dealer call me. They had contacted Mazda themselves about my issue and Mazda .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............ has agreed top replace them under warranty again. (sorry - the last part of my post dropped off)

 

...?

Well don't leave us in suspense!

 

Mmmm ... R Flash. Guess the rotary guru's still haven't figured exactly what it does yet but I guess if you say that the 6500-7500 range is gone, that's encouraging!

Wonder what else it does?

 

I've never noticed a flat spot in my acceleration...hmmmmm....

 

The first FOUR of those takes all of 1 minute...if that.

Don't pay good money for those things - they are 'non-services'.

'Inspect' Air Filter:

1. Find Air Filter within Airbox (large rectangle near front of engine compartment, with latches
2. Open air box and remove filter.
3. If Filter is dirty, replace or blow clean with compressed air.

'Inspecting' Lights:

1. If you don't know how to turn on the car's lights, you shouldn't be driving.

'Inspecting' brake fluid level (and clutch, as they share a location):

1. Find the brake master cylinder (driver's side firewall)
2. Note fluid level in relation to 'full' markings on Resevior
3. Deduce if you 'need more' or 'not'.

'Inspecting' Coolant Level:

1. Find the coolant reservoir
2. Note fluid level in relation to 'full' markings on Resevior
3. Deduce if you 'need more' or 'not'.

 

^ yep, that's why I said I could do all but the last 2 myself

 

I think you could even inspect the brakes yourself...and lube the hinges.


Off the top of my head:

Loosen lug nuts on a wheel. Jack the car up. Remove wheel. Look at the brake pad where it touches the rotor. Make sure there is some material between the backing of the pad, and the rotor. Run your hand across the rotor feeling for grooves.

If there is material there, no/small grooves, AND the car stops and tracks fine...put things back together.


Lube the Car doors:

Open door. Apply a little bit of oil. Close door.

 

Check your plugs dmp :p

 

:D

I will, and report back to you. :D

hehe


WHEN the car gets back from the dealer.

 

Ok maybe I'll give that a shot too, thanks for the info dmp!

 

Sweet, hope they dont jsut decide to replace them tho! (it's good but it could mask other ignition issues)

My 30k is comming up soon, im doing it all myself, and replacing my plugs and wires also because one of the wires isn't making good connection and is corroded.. AND the dealership didn't notice/do anything about this when they deflooded it a while back.

WOnder if I should go get my hinges lubed jsut so I can get the R flash?

 

Well, this latest flash is sure an improvement over the last one I had done. It is really nice to be able to rev the car and not have the engine go flat at 7000rpm.

 

I just called my service department, he said they re-flashed with the 'latest' flash, but he couldn't give me the part number; so I'll remain skeptical that it's the 'R' flash...but yeah, that dead-spot REALLY bugged me.

I hope it's gone.