I need everybody's helpful opinion

[markuszoom5]

So I called the dealer's Service Dept. and asked what needs to be done @ 30K miles service.
The car is 2.5 years old.

They said the following:
Coolant flush.
Brake fluid flush.
Transmission flush.
Fuel treatment.
Oil change.

Price tag - $495 - I am not kidding.
And he goes, oh, that's the big service interval. You should get all that done.
I am thinking, I already replaced both cabin air and air filters.
Should I just do the tranny flush and the oil change?
What do I tell the dealer, so they see I am not an idiot?

 

[ukulele]

I have never changed anything on any of my cars at 30k miles except for oil, oil filter, maybe the cabin filter and an engine air filter. That's it. Coolant is usually good for 75k miles, but never hurts to flush it early. Brake fluid will build up moisture in the lines, mechanic school says to flush brake lines every 2 years but many people don't do this at all. You have very few miles for 2.5 years, maybe a brake fluid flush wouldn't be a bad idea but it's not an emergency either. Transmission flush sounds unnecessary but I have no idea what your fluid looks like, if you tow or drive in a lot of snow, or in very hot temps, you may want to flush this fluid early. Fuel treatments are, for the most part, not necessary, but I myself use a fuel treatment every 5k miles (or at every oil change) it's a bottle of Chevron Techron, you can get a bottle from Walmart for around $7 and many mechanics I personally know use it, I don't know what fuel treatment they are talking about, probably the same thing, only more money if they put it in.

Bottom line: If I were you I would just get my oil changed and get the hell out of there.

 

[Olde English 5]

Does your 5 use FL22 coolant? If it does it doesn't need to be changed until 10 yrs or 120,000 miles.

Brake fluid: maybe, if the fluid is getting dark and/or the pedal feels soft. Mine has 60,000 miles and the fluid is still clear
Transmission: a simple drain and fill is not a bad idea at 30,000 miles but probably not essential if you drive easy
Fuel treatment? I'd ask him to show you where the maintenance schedule says you need that
Oil: yes

 

[markuszoom5]

Thank you everybody for you valued opinion, I feel much better now, it will be oil and that's it! Well; and the tire rotation which is free anyways with the new tires I have.

 

[Silentnoise713]

So I called the dealer's Service Dept. and asked what needs to be done @ 30K miles service.
The car is 2.5 years old.

They said the following:
Coolant flush.
Brake fluid flush.
Transmission flush.
Fuel treatment.
Oil change.

Price tag - $495 - I am not kidding.
And he goes, oh, that's the big service interval. You should get all that done.
I am thinking, I already replaced both cabin air and air filters.
Should I just do the tranny flush and the oil change?
What do I tell the dealer, so they see I am not an idiot?

I bet the service person you talked sees dollar signs when someone comes in and asks for it. Ask them how their recommendation stacks up to the owner’s manual recommendations.

Coolant flush. – All Mazda5 use FL22 coolant (aka long life coolant), which last over 100K (so advertised).
Brake fluid flush. – Brake fluid is hydroscopic but the real culprit that breaks it down is heat. Do you like to brake hard and burn your brakes? I know many people go 10 years or more without changing brake fluid. Not the best practice but its not like it will result in a catastrophic failure. You’ll feel that the new pads + rotors till seem to suck and naturally you’ll move on to fluid flush. If a manual, I would recommend changing/flushing it more frequent b/c clutch and brakes are on a shared system.
Transmission flush. – Any other car, I would ignore fluid flush until much later but I do have my reservations about this car’s auto box. Great if you can do a simple and easy drain and fill but I think 30K is a bit early/wasteful, especially if you are not hard on the car. You shoudl ask that this is "suppose" to be a life long fluid so why are they advising you to flush it?
Fuel treatment. – I’d like to hear their explanation on what exactly they are doing…
Oil change. – yes and filter too if you are on long OCIs.

 

[thaxman]

So I called the dealer's Service Dept. and asked what needs to be done @ 30K miles service.
The car is 2.5 years old.

They said the following:
Coolant flush.
Brake fluid flush.
Transmission flush.
Fuel treatment.
Oil change.

What, is this a 1958 Ford?

All these are something to consider closer to 60K Miles (excepting engine oil, of course.)
I'm surprised there was no mention of the power steering fluid...or blinker fluid.

 

[markuszoom5]

What, is this a 1958 Ford?

All these are something to consider closer to 60K Miles (excepting engine oil, of course.)
I'm surprised there was no mention of the power steering fluid...or blinker fluid.

There was a mention of power steering flush I forgot to include that one too...

 

[ukulele]

What, is this a 1958 Ford?

All these are something to consider closer to 60K Miles (excepting engine oil, of course.)
I'm surprised there was no mention of the power steering fluid...or blinker fluid.

Sounds like a '58 Ford... they should check the float bowl adjustment while they are at it. LoL

If the dealers had it their way, they would be swapping out engines at 30k miles for no apparent reason.

 

[markuszoom5]

Well, I ended up getting the free tire rotation because I got tires from the dealer a while back, and I got the oil change for $30.
The dealer wants me to change my oil every 3K and I do it every 5K, I think it's a waste of oil.
I skipped all else and explained that the manual does not show it anywhere.
The dealer said that the manual has the small things but not the important ones because they want your car to break down so you buy a new one.
What a crock of shiznit.

 

[Davicho]

The dealer said that the manual has the small things but not the important ones because they want your car to break down so you buy a new one

LMFAO! Please try if at all possible to use a different dealer. What a crock!!

 

[thaxman]

LMFAO! Please try if at all possible to use a different dealer. What a crock!!

Their service advisors are definitely tied too closely to comissions.

 

[ukulele]

I just did my 2nd oil change at about 6500 miles, the first one I did at 3700, I am finding that these 2.5L engines have huge amounts of blow-by gasses and other crap going into the oil, which would also explain the sulfur smell that spews out of my tailpipe when I drive spiritedly. My Mobile 1 isn't holding up to 5k miles as I have been used to in other cars. I think after I install the CS catch can next month I can extend that a bit. Nothing to do with the service advisors at your Willy Wonka's Mazda dealership, they want you to change your oil at 3k just because. They probably get some commish, either that or they are complete idiots and shouldn't be touching anyone's vehicle.

 

[eyeballs]

Mobil 1 actually isn't that great these days. Go browse around in the BITOG forums. Euro Castrol, Amsoil, and Motul are higher quality oils. I use the OEM stuff as it is decent quality (from what I've researched) and I get it for $5.99/qt.

 

[DKaz]

Mazda Canada has this:

http://mazda.ca/MciWeb/pdf/parts/en/Mazda3Maintenance.pdf

EVERY 48,000 KM (30,000 miles)
Inspect cooling system, pressure test cap and system for leaks
Inspect fuel lines and hoses
Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections
Inspect steering operation and linkage
Inspect front and rear suspension components, ball joints and wheel bearing axial play
Inspect driveshaft dust boots
Tighten bolts and nuts on chassis and body

In addition to EVERY 24,000 KM (15,000 miles)
Inspect and clean brake discs and pads, front and rear
Lubricate caliper rails/pins
Inspect A/C operation

And EVERY 8,000 KM (5,000 miles)
Replace engine oil; Replace oil filter
Inspect function of all lights
Inspect brake fluid, clutch fluid, power steering fluid, washer fluid and coolant level
Inspect all tires inflation and wear
Lubricate all locks and hinges
Rotate tires (priced separately)

Although don't be fooled... the 24,000km service is about $200 here. At least they're being honest about it. lol.

 

[MikesMazda5]

My 06 has about 90k on it now, and has never had anything done but routine oil changes. We bought it brand new in December 2005, and I have not had to take it the shop for anything at all..... It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[kw_da]

My 06 has about 90k on it now, and has never had anything done but routine oil changes. We bought it brand new in December 2005, and I have not had to take it the shop for anything at all..... It has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.

I hope that the oil changes included an ATF change - I have a 2006 and had my transmission changed under warranty. Mazda doesn't recommend regular ATF changes.

 

[MikesMazda5]

Nope, just regular oil changes. runs and shifts like new

 

[markuszoom5]

Nope, just regular oil changes. runs and shifts like new

Thanks for your reply.
I feel like some of these dealers offer you all these fluid changes, but most of the systems today are closed anyways.
So probably by messing with it, you can make it worse sometimes.
My wife has a 2006 Civic with 31k, and never did anything besides filters and oil changes.
And those are done like once a year (oil changes) because she does not drive much.
Also the Civic oil change indicator tells you.
So you are right.

 

[ukulele]

Thanks for your reply.
I feel like some of these dealers offer you all these fluid changes, but most of the systems today are closed anyways.
So probably by messing with it, you can make it worse sometimes.
My wife has a 2006 Civic with 31k, and never did anything besides filters and oil changes.
And those are done like once a year (oil changes) because she does not drive much.
Also the Civic oil change indicator tells you.
So you are right.

So, now you know the secret to getting rich... just open up a couple of dealerships in your area and you'll start raking in the big bucks! LoL

Doesn't it feel good to be one of those rare, informed consumers?? - You chuckle when you hear old ladies in the Dr.'s office talking about "I just bought my Cadillac last month, and they said I needed a new engine, so I wrote them a check!"