2015 Mazda6 (2.5L Skyactiv, 6 Speed Auto) Update at 284,000KM

[Lazy2.5]

Hi all, This Mazda has been in my family since new.

As the title suggests, the car has over 284,000KM on it, maybe 60% city driving. The car has an extensive maintenance history. The only thing which hasn't been done yet according to maintenance schedule would be the fuel filter.

Oil changes every 5-7500KM using 5w30
Three full transmission services (filter and fluid change, car will be going in for its fourth transmission service at the end of this month)
Front control arms and one of the tie rods needed to be replaced earlier this year.
The serpentine belt was badly worn and required urgent replacement one year ago. You can check for sounds of worn belts during a cold start idle. Rest of the belts appear to be in good condition
Full coolant flush.
Original brakes lasted until 160,000KM.
Spark plugs have been replaced twice
Seized parking brake.

I only use ethanol-free 91 octane fuel in this car. 91 octane tune.

My best tank was 5L/100km. I achieve low 5L's in the summer and probably closer to 6L in the winter. Mostly conservative driving of course.

Overall, I am exceedingly happy with this car. The car is quite responsive and very engaging around turns. The chassis balance for FWD is phenomenal. The only real complaint I can think of would be the seating position. I am 6'3. Getting the seat a bit lower would be nice. The seat feels tight around the bolsters for me. Head room is lacking when sitting in the back, but leg room is excellent all around.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Thought I would make an update after having the pan dropped in this car for the fourth time.

The shop said they suspected that a different transmission fluid was used from what Mazda recommends. Could just be a change in colour from driving use. The transmission was shifting totally fine. Unfortunately the car was driven about 30,000KM without a magnet in the pan! A spare one was added in. Ultimately the bottom of the pan had minimal sludge. The filter and fluid was a bit dirty. Only about 4L of ATF fluid went back in. Shift points are a bit more precise, faster and more precise shifts, especially when accelerating at high RPM's, but no significant difference as the inside of this transmission was already pretty clean to begin with.

To conclude, I would suggest to have your pan dropped once every 60-80,000KM. Past 100,000KM you start to push the overall longevity of your AT. Expect overall life span of your transmission to be significantly impaired past 200,000KM. The first pan drop should typically be done closer to 60,000KM due to extra metal shavings breaking off the transmissions internals during the initial wear in process early on the gearbox's life.

If you are doing the pan drop after 100,000KM, I would recommend doing one or two drain and fills afterwards to make sure that most of the fluid in your gearbox is clean. You'll get significantly restored shifting performance.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I have heard that the belt tensioners can be problematic on these vehicles? I am at 311,000KM. Since updating this thread, I have replaced both front end links.

What else should I be looking out for? I am on the original starter and alternator. How long can i expect them to last?

 

[Lazy2.5]

Update, needed a new front control arm again, due to worn ball joint.

new brakes
spark plugs
new tires
new wheel bearing
drain and fill on the AT.

struts/springs, cat converter, engine/transmission mounts could use replacing.

no CEL, no stored codes. 321,xxxKM.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Update.

326,000km.

Front struts
Valve cover gasket
Rear brake calipers replaced under recall warranty, due to seized parking brake actuator.
A/C has leaked and lost its refrigerant again.


The front sway bar bushings, engine and transmission mounts are worn, but these are a lot of work to get to. Not worth it.

@Irenicus that's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Update. 336,xxxKM

I was investigating a small air bubble in the radiator. Coolant should be filled to the top, but the coolant from the expansion tank has since returned back into the radiator. Will be monitoring.

The gas tank has recently started to leak fumes when the tank is filled to the top. roughly 3/4 of a tank or less, no smell of fumes at all. The smell is strong when parked in a garage.

Belt tensioner is original,

 

[Bill Ranks]

Update. 336,xxxKM

I was investigating a small air bubble in the radiator. Coolant should be filled to the top, but the coolant from the expansion tank has since returned back into the radiator. Will be monitoring.

The gas tank has recently started to leak fumes when the tank is filled to the top. roughly 3/4 of a tank or less, no smell of fumes at all. The smell is strong when parked in a garage.

Belt tensioner is original,

I had a problem with a BMW developing an air bubble in the radiator many years ago.
It was the pressure cap intermittently not releasing vacuum and drawing coolant back from the expansion tank in to the engine as it cooled. The vacuum produced in the coolant system would draw in air wherever it could find it.
After that I started changing the pressure cap every few years regardless whether it needed it or not.