Hi, my 2014 CX-5 touring is hitting 100k and I went to a local car repair shop to get an idea what 100k service items need to be done and at what cost.
The car runs fine so far with 28 MPG (with mixed driving) and we have done regular oil changes and as needed battery replacement, brake pad, differential fluid, tires. I am wondering whether the services are "required" or "nice to have". I do plan to keep the car and will appreciate any thoughts.
The list of suggested service items are-
- Cabin air filter
- Engine Coolant Flush
- Transfer Case Fluid Exchange - gear oil
- Transmission Fluid Flush
- Drive Belt - serpentine
- Fuel/ air induction service
- Spark Plugs
- Control Arms Suspension
My 2014 AWD CX-5 has 111,000 miles and over the last 8 months I've started proactively investing in it, so I figured for others finding this thread, I'd compare yours to mine:
1)
Cabin air filter - you can get these at Amazon for $15 or less and change them yourself as much as you like. It's easy. Also, the engine air filter is a little more challenging, but you can learn to do it and save a lot of money which frees up money for things that require a mechanic and special tools. (proactive)
2)
Engine coolant flush - just done at 110k (proactive)
3)
Transfer case fluid done near 100k. Rear differential was done 2-3 times before (proactive)
4)
Transmission fluid done near 100k. (proactive)
5)
Drive serpentine belt broke on me around 80k (?) as I was returning from a trip. I WAS INCREDIBLY LUCKY: It broke 1 mile from a dealer and because the car still drove I carefully limped to their lot and dropped it off for them to replace the belt plus the belt tensioner that keeps the belt tightly in place. (repair)
6)
Fuel induction service: I've been delaying this as I learn more about it. Blasting the engine intakes with walnut shells appears to be a one-shot high quality method of cleaning them, but it costs more and many places don't do it because it requires taking the intake manifold off the engine and special equipment. Instead, there are chemical processes to do this that are not as effective so you have to do them several times. Ideally, it seems, you do this proactively to avoid significant build up and then it's just a routine 1-2 year thing like an oil change that you accept. (repair/proactive)
7)
Spark plugs proactively replaced near 100k. (proactive)
8)
Lower Control Arms. This issue is my primary reason for this reply. As my car ages, I've gotten used to how it feels over time and it's hard to remember what it was like when it was new. But I would drive on city roads at 5-40 miles per hour and when hitting bumps like asphalt patch work, the car would rumble and then the car would shift to the left or right a little bit. It didn't feel stable, yet not bad enough to feel unsafe. It really started to sound and feel like "an old car" and many people would just sell it and buy another.
I took it to the dealer whose been doing my work and they
replaced the Lower Control arms, Sway bar links, and tie rod ends (so much of the front suspension) for about $2,000. Initially this felt like an expensive repair where you spend money and things just aren't broken anymore but your money is gone. But immediately upon driving with a new front suspension
I re-discovered the initial love I had for driving my Mazda on curvy roads. And not just curvy roads but anytime I needed to do more than straight driving. No more rumble sound,
steering and handling is precise and nimble and I feel confident and in-control.
This one "repair" felt like an improvement and has changed my attitude about having maintenance done. With the cost of new cars being so high, I'm choosing to explore spending a good amount of money on "investment" work: both proactive and reactive "repairs" in hopes that I can get another 90,000 miles out of this.
Shown below are the before and after of the Lower Control Arm bushings. Anyone should be able to use a phone camera under their car to self inspect to compare what they have now vs brand new. Doing so helps you know your mechanic isn't just making something up and that this may actually improve or restore your driving comfort.
Hope this helps others as our CX-5s age.
