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  1. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    Thank you. I will purchase the membership and test kits closer to my next OCI.
  2. SparkYellow

    Your Best Defensive Driving Tips?

    My post was about identifying a behavior that negatively impacts the flow of traffic and how I adapt to stay safe. The fact that you read it as a mere complaint and my reaction as adverse tells me that you do that too. I do understand that many drivers believe that staying in the left is...
  3. SparkYellow

    Your Best Defensive Driving Tips?

    A few times a week I would be in slow moving traffic on 237W when the army of Amazon vans join in from the McCarthy station. It reminds me of some war scenes in LOTR. 😁 I always make room for them.
  4. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    It looks like I can pay slightly less with test kits (oil analyzer) and membership from Amsoil. Is it pretty straight forward or will I have to call to confirm that my sample was delivered and that I want a deep analysis?
  5. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    I was hoping that replacing the head gasket is similar to replacing the valve cover gasket, only going much deeper. There is a thread on blown head gasket from last November and I have read through the posts. It is way beyond my capabilities, I will have to check with the mechanic at the DIY...
  6. SparkYellow

    Your Best Defensive Driving Tips?

    I have a hard time ignoring left lane cruisers. On my weekend drive via I-5, commercial vehicles take up a good portion of the right lane, so most of us use the left lane to pass. If the driver behind me appears eager, I move back into the right lane as soon as it is safe, even between two...
  7. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    I am expecting another report this week from my 2/16 sample. My backup car R56 (ex DD) is in the shop for brain surgery. Once it is road-ready, the CX-3 can take a break while I figure out what to do. 🤦Whatever it is, I lean heavily towards repair. There is not another gas car on the market...
  8. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    When the values indicate a concern, they'd address it in the comments. I finished cutting open the filter media (oem from Thailand and 5K on VRP) and found a few tiny black bits in the pleats. It wasn't more than what I have seen before on a Bosch filter with a different oil. Is there any...
  9. SparkYellow

    SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread

    UOA from 5K OCI on 12/23/25. Comments: "Potassium and sodium went down, but that doesn't mean the coolant leak is going away. The decreases are probably thanks to the shorter oil change interval. That said, the coolant leak doesn't appear to be getting worse, either; potassium & sodium are...
  10. Screenshot_20260221-182239.webp

    Screenshot_20260221-182239.webp

  11. SparkYellow

    2015 CX-5 2.5L SkyActiv coolant in oil

    A second sample from my 5K OCI has shown elevated values of potassium and sodium. Need to let it ride. 😬 Should I go with 3K OCI? I had planned to finish 4 rounds of VRP. EDIT: Yes. Cleaning carbon is important but not urgent. After this round of VRP, I will step up to 3K OCI on $24 oil and AC...
  12. SparkYellow

    Your Best Defensive Driving Tips?

    I stay out of the fast lanes (#1 and #2 if #1 is HOV or express.) Being in the middle allows me to look ahead and better gauge the flow in neighboring lanes. I also leave room for folks with poor judgment. I would rather they cut in front of me than behind me. It is never personal, they don't...
  13. SparkYellow

    Replacing rear wiper

    The factory rear wiper is a life-time component, it was still wiping well after 176K miles. 😂
  14. SparkYellow

    Mazda Oil Filter questions

    This is a 1WPE-14-302 from my most recent 5K OCI. Removed on Monday. The can was the most difficult of the 4 that I have cut open so far. Scuffs on the can were left by vise grip and plumbing wrench. The shorty element with metal end caps is a Royal Purple from 2 cycles ago. Shorty is very...
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    IMG_20260219_145602017.webp

  16. IMG_20260219_145624511.webp

    IMG_20260219_145624511.webp

  17. SparkYellow

    Why a brake upgrade won't stop the car faster

    Those headlights are bright! 😎
  18. SparkYellow

    Switched to 5W-30 from 0W-20

    @bojo It it awesome that you're figuring this out from the beginning of your ownership. I didn't look into it until much later on, like 8 years and 150K miles in. 🤦
  19. SparkYellow

    Replacing rear wiper

    Appreciate this!! My rear wiper is as vintage as the car. Can't believe I never looked for help on this in the manual. 🤦
  20. SparkYellow

    Replacing rear wiper

    Thank you I am glad I asked!
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