Important regarding engine model.

[markuszoom5]

When I go to any autoparts store (AutZone, AAParts, PepBoys), they ask me for two engine models for my 2010 Mazda5 Sports. One that has a "3" and another that has "L" somewhere. How do I look that up? Is it contained within the VIN? And if it is, what letter/number is it? I do not get this.

 

[thaxman]

As far as I know, the '06-'10 have the same engine choice - 1 engine, no optional engine. That would be the 2.3L (2.3 liter displacement), but the US '10 Sport has 2 transmission choices, the manual 5-speed (known among forums as 5MT) and the 5-speed automatic (5AT). That may be what they are trying to differentiate.

There aren't a whole lot of differences between vehicles from the same year. The Touring has some exterior-based upgrades and some interior options, while the Grand Touring has mostly interior upgrades, many of which are options on lower trims. None of it affects the drivetrain except for the 5MT available in the Sport AFAIK.

 

[hurschel]

When I go to any autoparts store (AutZone, AAParts, PepBoys), they ask me for two engine models for my 2010 Mazda5 Sports. One that has a "3" and another that has "L" somewhere. How do I look that up? Is it contained within the VIN? And if it is, what letter/number is it? I do not get this.

I was wondering about that too, will be watching for a definite answer, although I hope it will be a long time before I need parts.

 

[markuszoom5]

Still no definite answer? Read this please and respond.

It lists the following choices for the 2010 Mazda 5 Sport:

2010 Mazda 5 Sport 2.3L 2260CC L4 FI VIN: 3

or

2010 Mazda 5 Sport 2.3L 2260CC L4 FI VIN: L

How to know which is yours?

 

[ljmattox]

Various sources claim the 8th character of the Mazda VIN is the engine code. What do you have for an 8th character? There's also this decoder:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/vin_tools/default.asp

That I found; I ran a 2012 Mazda 5 VIN though it (found one handy online, from a dealer's new car sales listings) and it seemed to decipher it ok.

HTH.

 

[ljmattox]

And, gaining access to my very "own" VIN for my 2010 5MT, I discover I have a "3" as the eighth character...which the Ford Fleet decoder page says means a Ford-built, 2.3L 4 cylinder gasoline engine. "L's" are Mazda-produced? Just guessing. Anyone have an "L" 8th character and want to run it through the Ford-VIN-decoder?

I've seen this too, a couple of times, but it hasn't made any impact on buying oil filters, all I've needed thus far. As a early 2010, I did have to live through a couple months before the parts books recognized that 5's were shipping with spin-on filters now, not cartridge-cannisters.

 

[droplet]

Just ran my VIN for my 2010 AT through the Ford Fleet decoder with an 'L' for engine code, it also says Ford as engine manufacturer.

 

[markuszoom5]

Yea me too.

I just did the same thing, and mine says that it was made in Hiroshima, but the engine is made by FORD. The engine code is "L". How strange. I wonder what is going on here. I thought FORD was done with Mazda.

 

[bootman]

I wonder what is going on here. I thought FORD was done with Mazda.

They only sold off their holding interest in Mazda as a company.
That doesn't mean they can still not make parts for each other.

Lotus uses Toyota engines yet do not have stock in that company. (afaik)