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Mazda Protege Basic Maintenance Questions

1151 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2011 at 12:23 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Mazda Protege5, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 99 of 116

#977 of 1151 Tire Noise by skip616

Oct 18, 2005 (5:45 pm)

I just recently acquired a 2001 Mazda Protege ES from my mother. It has 98K miles and it is excellent condition (it has all the options, side air bags, ABS, sunroof, 6CD changer). I bought this car new in 2001 and sold this car to my mother in 2004 with 68K miles. I noticed then that the car was very loud on the highway and the noise was very pronounced in the rear of the car. The original tires have been replaced twice on the car with Dunlop low profile tires and the rims that came on the ES are still on the car. Tires are 195 50R 16 with the original Mazda rims. As the car gets older it just seems to be more pronounced. I haven't driven the car until I acquired the car just recently and it just seems annoying to have that much road noise. Has any one else experienced this problem with the ES model?
 
I am an avid Mazda owner and have owned them since the early 90's. I have owned a 1991 Mazda 626 DX, a 1992 Mazda Protege DX, a 1993 Mazda Protege LX and I still own a 1996 Mazda 626 ES with 169K miles. This car still drives like a new car and is so smooth riding. I have had to put about $3,000 into the car over the last 2 years and the car is still going strong. Since the 626 burns premium unleaded fuel I thought it would a good idea to acquire the Protege to cut down my fuel consumption and cost.
 
I am totally sold on Mazda's. They are excellent cars and I highly recommend them.
 
Skip

#978 of 1151 Re: Tire Noise [skip616] by autonomous

Oct 18, 2005 (6:44 pm)

Replying to: skip616 (Oct 18, 2005 5:45 pm)
replaced twice ... with Dunlop low profile ... 195 50R 16 ... original Mazda rims.
 
Which model of Dunlops? How's the suspension? Ever try a wheel alignment?

#979 of 1151 Re: Tire Noise [skip616] by civiletti

Oct 19, 2005 (12:12 am)

Replying to: skip616 (Oct 18, 2005 5:45 pm)
The pro is not a quiet car. Tire noise is the worst problem. Mine came with bridgestone re92's, which were noisy. I replaced them with bridgestone s-03's, which were just as noisy, but at a different pitch. I'm now running michelin pe2's, which are somewhat quieter, but not noiseless. Hiway or touring tires are generally quieter than perfromance tires, but I will stand the noise in return for good handling. Tires tend to get noisier as they wear, as well.

#980 of 1151 Try a set of ... by mdaffron

Oct 19, 2005 (5:05 am)

BFG Traction T/A VR4s. I had them on my 2000 Protege ES, and my wife has them now on her 2002 Protege5. Very nice handling tire, excellent traction (AA rated) in dry and wet (even does pretty good in snow), and lasts a long time. Oh -- very quiet (compared to Bridgestone and Dunlops) too. Check them out at Tirerack -- we picked up my wife's set at Sears for about $103 a tire, everything included.
 
Meade

#981 of 1151 Re: Tire Noise [civiletti] by autonomous

Oct 19, 2005 (6:42 am)

Replying to: civiletti (Oct 19, 2005 12:12 am)
Tires tend to get noisier as they wear
That's interesting. I don't think I ever "heard" that before. I would have thought that as they wear the rough spots would get worn down so the tires would get smoother and flatter and hence quieter.

#982 of 1151 Re: Try a set of ... [mdaffron] by autonomous

Oct 19, 2005 (6:54 am)

Replying to: mdaffron (Oct 19, 2005 5:05 am)
BFG Traction T/A VR4s.
 
Agreed! I have just had these installed on my P5 and they are a dream. See the Mazda Protoge5 forum for more information.

#983 of 1151 Re: Try a set of ... [autonomous] by mdaffron

Oct 19, 2005 (7:50 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Oct 19, 2005 6:54 am)
Well autonomous ...
 
I had about 30,000 miles on my set when I traded my Protege, and they had plenty of tread left. My wife's P5 has about 15,000 miles on hers, and they too are wearing nicely. Nice choice.
 
And yes (to the other guy), tires get louder as they wear. Think about it -- less tread to absorb road noise. Go to any discussion at Tirerack and you'll see people talking about tires being "quiet at first" but getting louder as they age.
 
Meade

#984 of 1151 Re: Interference? [protege_fan] by moretime

Oct 19, 2005 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: protege_fan (Aug 13, 2001 6:42 pm)
Interference engine or impact engine means when the timing belt breaks the pistons and valves inside the engine impact and break. This happens because the timing belt keeps the camshaft( which turns to open and close the valves) and the crankshaft( which moves the pistons up and down) turning at the same speed so the valves and pistons do their job properly creating compression in the cylinders at the right time to give the car power. When the timing belt breaks the camshaft and crankshaft spin out of control and imact each other. A few auto makers make non-impact engines that allow extra clearance so if this happens the valves and pistons don't hit, even at highway speeds. You guesses it, Toyota Camry. If you don't have one, change your timing belt every 60,000 miles.

#985 of 1151 Just say "no" to Slick50. by mazdafun

Oct 19, 2005 (2:22 pm)

Stick to regular fluid and filter changes, wash off dirt & salt and you'll do a lot for the longevity of your Pro.
 
Switch to synthetic oil if your car sees temperature extremes or you like to rev the engine high for prolonged periods (or if you're picky, like me, heh...seriously, the engine seems to start much more easily when temps are below freezing). I haven't done so, but others have switched to synthetic transmission fluid with positive results.

#986 of 1151 Re: Try a set of ... [mdaffron] by skip616

Oct 19, 2005 (4:30 pm)

Replying to: mdaffron (Oct 19, 2005 5:05 am)
Meade:
 
Thanks for your reply. Did you install a set of BFG Traction T/A 205/50/16/V on your 2000 Protege ES? If you install a larger size tire will it create any problems? I have heard if you install larger tires that possibly your check engine light will go on since it senses there is a change. Did you experience any problem going to a larger tire? I currently have Dunlop 195/50/16 tires on car.
 
Thanks, Skip

Messages Page 99 of 116

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