- #112 of 146
-
Interior Care: Dash Smudges
by gsupstate
-
Jun 11, 2008 (6:00 pm)
-
|
I noticed this somewhat on my '06 Touring, but even more on my new '08: if you touch the black dash in any way, or use normal paper towel to wipe/clean the dash, it leaves smudges and "lint" behind. Which, by the way, is next to impossible to remove. BTW-I'm talking about the upper black parts of the dash, not the center stack.
What can be done to remove these spots? I haven't had my car a month yet, and the dash looks awful! Help! 
|
- #113 of 146
-
Re: Interior Care: Dash Smudges [gsupstate]
by athenasius
-
Jun 11, 2008 (8:42 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: gsupstate (Jun 11, 2008 6:00 pm)
Not sure if this helps but i just use a damp very clean dish cloth if it is really bad I put a drop of dish soap on it. i never use armourall or anything on the dash. i know what you mean re the paper towels bits. the benifits of the cotton dish towel is that it cleans well and does not leave any glossy surfaces and no VOC's
|
- #114 of 146
-
Re: Interior Care: Dash Smudges [gsupstate]
by maltb
-
Jun 13, 2008 (9:53 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: gsupstate (Jun 11, 2008 6:00 pm)
Use micro-fiber detailing towels and make sure the dash is not hot from the sun.
|
- #115 of 146
-
'08 Mazda5 GT
by gsupstate
-
Jun 13, 2008 (3:33 pm)
-
|
|
Bought a new '08 5, GT a few wks ago. LOVE IT. I say this, coming from an '06 Mazda5 Touring w/5 spd manual. In comparison, the '08 GT feels much more substantial, smoother, even qieter. I love my new car!!
|
- #116 of 146
-
'08 M5 GT Scheduled Maintenance
by mws_74
-
Sep 09, 2008 (11:10 am)
-
|
Purchased a 2008 5 GT three weeks ago and have gone 1,000 miles. I called the dealer to schedule the first oil change. After reading the manual, it appears that Mazda does not require or recommend an oil change until after the first 7,500 miles. I have typically had my oil changed after the first 1,000 miles and every 4,000 - 5,000 miles afterwards. Is there a school of thought as to why one would wait for the 7,500 mile mark to perform the first oil change in a brand new engine?
Thanks,
MWS_74
|
- #117 of 146
-
Re: '08 M5 GT Scheduled Maintenance [mws_74]
by vg33e power
-
Sep 22, 2008 (2:51 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: mws_74 (Sep 09, 2008 11:10 am)
On new vehicles the first oil change usually occurs at an "elongated" amount of time (usually 5000-10,000 miles) because engine manufacturers add a special additive that helps the "break-in" period of the engine and the overall reliability and longebility of the engine life. This is why the first oil change is not until 5k mikes or perhaps in computer controlled service minder vehicles (e.g. Hondas, etc...) somewhere in the 7500 mile region. My sister's 335i does not get her first oil change per BMW specs until 10k miles. with this in mind it is way better for you to leave the oil mixture the car came in from the factory as long as possible or reccomended by the manual. If after the first oil change you want to go back to the "old " mentality of "change your oil every 3k miles" then by all means go right ahead. the only thing you will hurt by doing so is your wallet, and not by much usually. As far as me I am sticking to the reccomended every 5k mile. Hope this helps.
|
- #118 of 146
-
Time to replace Air Filter
by mclincoln
-
Oct 30, 2008 (12:42 pm)
-
|
|
According to the book you need to replace the Air Filter at 37,500. My local service station guy told me that I will be burning gas if I don't replace the Air Filter sooner. What's your opinion?
|
- #119 of 146
-
Re: Time to replace Air Filter [mclincoln]
by vg33e power
-
Oct 30, 2008 (3:44 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: mclincoln (Oct 30, 2008 12:42 pm)
IMHO, the more often you can afford to to replace the air filter the better. I personally went with a "Drop-in" K&N filter and I benefit from a tiny bit better acceleration, 1-2 MPG increase and the ease of pulling it out and cleaning it and re-using it. Best $35 spent. Here is the link
|
- #120 of 146
-
Re: Time to replace Air Filter [mclincoln]
by whobodym
-
Oct 31, 2008 (5:06 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: mclincoln (Oct 30, 2008 12:42 pm)
or, for a more conservative approach, take out the air filter yourself and look at it. Yes a plugged up air filter is bad, but it entirely depends how dusty the environment of your usual driving has been. I replace mine on time, not early, and while they always look a little dirty, they aren't dramatically packed with volumes of dust -- you can tell what color the original new filter element was. My driving is ordinary urban/suburban Pacific Northwest, not very dry or dusty. I'd guess the midwest / south / eastern seaboard cities and suburbs would be similar, but the southwest, dry mountain west, and farming regions would be worse. Frequent dirt roads would obviously be bad. And I also advise, don't take mileage / power claims too seriously.
|
- #121 of 146
-
Re: Time to replace Air Filter [whobodym]
by vg33e power
-
Oct 31, 2008 (7:48 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: whobodym (Oct 31, 2008 5:06 am)
Well, to each its own. My claims of MPG increase and little pep is subjective. I also offered the K&N option because in the long run it last longer and pays itself off, rather then spending $15 or so on a replacement filter every 15K miles. Plus I live in sunny and dry SoCal, so for me that was my best choice. Just my $0.02
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Vans & Minivans 
