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Mazda Protegé
24043 messages, Last post on Jun 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM
You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Sedan
#21181 of 24043 Interesting letter on Edmunds by boggse
May 06, 2003 (12:45 pm)
From the Letters to the Editor, April 2003:"Subject: Focus With Mazda 6 Engine
From: Ben
It is my understanding from the Edmunds Town Hall that in N.Y., Mass. and Calif., people can now buy a Ford Focus with the new 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine from the Mazda 6. I've driven the 6 and loved it, but it is a little out of my price range. If they are putting that same engine in the Focus, though, that makes it a mini-6, sort of. My question is whether the esteemed editors of Edmunds know more about this engine change and if so when will the rest of the country (I'm in Michigan) benefit from it? I love Edmunds! Nothing else even comes close! Thanks!
The 2.3-liter PZEV engine that's now available in the Focus in certain states is, in fact, the same engine used in the Mazda 6, but due to its stricter emissions controls it generates less horsepower and torque than the equivalent engine in the Mazda. This engine will be available in all non-SVT Focus models nationwide roughly a year from now. -- Ed. "
So, Foci drivers can enjoy the new motor, but Protege (nee 3) drivers will have to wait until later this year. That is not quite fair, but I guess Ford needed the low emissions engine now.
#21182 of 24043 Mobil 1? by edmund2460
May 06, 2003 (6:29 pm)
Without wanting to start something like a disk/drum debate, wondered if any one is using/recommending/switched to MOBIL 1. I am thinking of it at the next change (18K)#21183 of 24043 Mobile 1 by fowler3
May 06, 2003 (7:36 pm)
If Mazda didn't test the engine with Mobiel 1, then what Mazda recommends is what I would use. Just my 2-cents worth. Although, it is interesting that dealers selling the same cars use different oils.Meade, sorry I didn't get to Lancaster. I had to stay close due to a friend being gravely ill. The family said they were so glad I came and I was, too. Holding his hand both of us knew it was the last time we would see each other. He died a few hours later.
BTW, last Fall, he said I am too old for Zoom Zoom cars. I had told him about the MAPP meets.
fowler3
#21184 of 24043 Jim by dinu01
May 06, 2003 (8:18 pm)
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope you're ok.Dinu
#21185 of 24043 By the way ... by mdaffron
May 07, 2003 (4:45 am)
Last week we were going back and forth on the Dunlop SP Sport A2s, which you may remember I got rid of on Wednesday of last week for a set of BFG Touring T/A VR4s.I had only gotten 21,000 miles out of the Dunlops, which had a treadlife warranty of 50,000 miles and a UTQG of 420. Dunlop and Goodyear (which owns Dunlop), however, said the uneven wear on the tires was caused by an alignment problem and refused to honor the warranty. Goodyear even put my car up on a lift and the guy showed me the highly apparent uneven wear -- and I believed his assertion that it was due to an alignment problem. I kept fighting, though, but after a few phone calls that got nowhere, I decided to cut my losses and chalk it up to experience -- and a decision never to purchase Dunlops again.
After having my new tires installed last week, I immediately made an appointment to have a four-wheel alignment so the new tires wouldn't suffer the same early death. I was off Friday and took the car in. An hour later the technician came out into the waiting area with a computer printout in hand.
After 54,600 miles, my car was in perfect alignment. Every parameter was in spec. I took a copy of the printout and paid him a small amount for an alignment "check."
Guys, don't buy SP Sport A2s. If you don't want to take one person's word for it, then go read the customer reviews at TireRack. You'll see a pattern of extreme initial satisfaction followed by angry complaints of uneven wear and short-lived tread, despite alignment checks and regular rotation, after about 15,000 miles. Dunlop has a dud on their hands and they'd better do something about it.
Meade
#21187 of 24043 And as if that ain't enough ... by mdaffron
May 07, 2003 (4:55 am)
As we drove around D.C.'s Capital Beltway on the way home from Pennsylvania Sunday afternoon, a wayward stone made its presence known with the all-too-dreadful "crack!" on my windshield. We looked around, however, and could see nothing. Besides, I've heard louder ones and this one didn't sound like a bad one.Drove to work yesterday and everything was normal. Left work around 4 p.m. and started down the interstate when I noticed it starting ...
By the time I got home I had a foot-long crack running from the top of the windshield on the passenger side and curving toward the center of the windshield.
$%^##!!! Three good things about this:
(1) I get a new windshield. After 55,000 miles, the OEM one has its share of pockmarks and sandblasting.
(2) Virginia requires two new windshield decals every year, and it's one of my lesser-enjoyable experiences removing the old ones and putting on the new ones. This crack happens to have occurred about three weeks before I need to replace decals.
(3) My car is up for state inspection this month. Had it occurred a month later, I would've put off replacing the windshield almost a year and fumed all year at the ugly crack. This way, I've got to get it done now so it'll pass inspection.
Two things I'm scared of:
(1) Windshield-replacement horror stories shared by some of you. I'm gonna do a LOT of research on the company and the product used prior to letting anyone perform Lasik on Zoomster.
(2) With the way insurance companies are running scared, dropping folks like flies and raising rates for the tiniest claims these days, I'm gonna make DAMN SURE this won't affect my insurance "claims frequency" or anything else. If so, I'll go it without using my insurance company. (Bad state of affairs when you have insurance but are scared to use it, eh?)
So I guess the good outweighs the bad. In the very least Zoomster will have a nice, clear windshield in the next week or so.
I just hope it's a good one.
Meade
#21188 of 24043 Mobil 1 by boggse
May 07, 2003 (4:57 am)
I just switched to Mobil 1 in my P5 at the first oil change: 5000 miles.I plan to change the oil at 10k and 15k, and then every 7,500 from there on out. I use Mobil 1 for a long drain interval. If I put on a lot of highway miles, would feel more comfortable doing the 7,500 mile interval with dino oil, but about half of our miles are city driving, so synthetic it is. At BJs Mobil 1 costs only a little more than the dino oil anyway.
#21189 of 24043 Jim ... by mdaffron
May 07, 2003 (4:58 am)
I'd like to add that it was a great selfless act to do what you did for your friend. If only everyone had such a devoted kindred spirit.And remember ... you're only as old as you let yourself be.
Reminds me of something a dear friend of mine said in a toast at my wedding; something I'll never forget:
"May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live."
Meade
#21190 of 24043 Mobil1. by mazdafun
May 07, 2003 (5:02 am)
I use it, primarily for smoother starts in the frigid winters. I figure since it works so much better at sub-freezing temps, it's going to allow smoother starts the rest of the year as well. Plus, I have a short commute, so I have lots of start/stop cycles for the mileage I put on my car. And I go only about 5,000 miles between changes.Use the 626 V6 oil filter. It has more capacity than the standard filter. You'll need to change the filter before the oil needs changing, just more frequently with the standard filter.
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