Just got a CX-9 GT 2008 AWD - what to check?

[troutymouth]

Hi! This is my 4th Mazda! It's a 2008 GT with Nav, Towing Package, and AWD.

It has 65K miles. It has a complete service history at the dealer. But... I'm wondering what else to check for? What else should I replace? I want this thing to last me about 7 years. It seems to have been given brand new tires, brakes, and oil before reaching me.

Should I replace the plugs with iridiums? Which brand?
Should I drain + fill or flush the trans? Or neither?
Should I change the power steering fluid?
What about the rear diff? Should I do something to that?

So far it's great. I'm stunned it doesn't come with a mpg gauge, even though it seems to have every other feature possible. (boom01)

 

[ceric]

>> Should I replace the plugs with iridiums? Which brand?
No need unless it is not accelerating well.

Should I drain + fill or flush the trans? Or neither?
>> If it was not done before (since you have all the records), you should. It is about $150.

Should I change the power steering fluid?
>> No need unless it is dirty (i.e. black)

What about the rear diff? Should I do something to that?
>> recommended at 28K if heavy use. Check the records. Even for lighter usage,
it should be done before 40K (personal opinion). Note that "heavy use" includes
lots of short trips (since you got it used, you have no way of knowing)

AND, welcome to the forum.
Check the list of TSBs applicable to 2008 to see if any issues apply to yours (or any
of them have been done before.)

 

[troutymouth]

OK Great info. Thanks. What about the fuel filter?

 

[table5511]

Welcome!
Wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filter, if its easy. If its in the tank, then forget about it.

I just learned that 08's manufactured for a few months in 08' accidentally are missing a bracket that secures the top of the intake manifold to the engine, mazda somehow deleted it off the build list. here is the post: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...ice-Important-tsb-2008-models-missing-bracket.

If you have a sunroof, you may want to check your sunroof drains to make sure they are draining ok, as cx-9's have had some issues with sunroof drains getting clogged. Multiple posts on here about that topic. (I've never had any issues)

Your exhaust chrome tips (real chrome) may or may not be beyond polishing. Many CX-9 owners just never clean them, so they get all black on the bottom. I polish mine (paper towels + glass cleaner) every time I wash her.

Some CX-9's had issues with the blower fan going to max when turning the ignition to "off." This was faulty blower relays, about 15 bucks each, there are 2 - 1 front and 1 rear relay, both in the engine compartment. If you ever have that problem, now you know. Likely if you have 65k, they likely have been replaced.

A lot of CX-9's have crappy brakes, and that's just how it is. It seems the front rotors are just too small, so the 9 tends to eat them up pretty quick.
A lot of us have put aftermarket rotors on to try and improve the brake situation.

A word on smart cards: If you only have one, only the dealer can program a second. If you have 2, you can buy another and program it yourself. ECU holds up to 8 cards. Batteries in the card are said to last only about a year. You can also program an individual smart card to a memory seat position. You can buy smartcards on ebay, used or new. You can buy aux keys on ebay or from the dealer. the aux key is the key that slides out of the smart card.

If you have power gate and/or an electric latch in the liftgate, be sure never to slam it closed. The garnish with the chrome moulding can start to dig into the paint on the gate near the corners of the garnish, and then the gate starts to rust. Mazda started putting a seal behind it later, but I don't think in 08. Mine has no seal, just plastic garnish on metal gate. Fortunately I have always hand closed it gently and hear it "latch." No paint problems with my gate to date.

You can make the windows go all the way down with a full press of the down switch, or you can make them go like 1 inch down. Its programmable.

Auto wipers have a reset procedure as well, for when they start acting up (wiping too slow in heavier rain).

Again welcome!

 

[ceric]

OK Great info. Thanks. What about the fuel filter?

Fuel filter is inside the fuel tank.
Again, these are things that are "don't fix it if it ain't broken" in my book.
However, your money, your call.

 

[Evan78]

If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me how much you paid for it? I'm in the market for a GT of similar age.

 

[table5511]

Evan78...fyi the leather was made much softer in 09 and some of the kinks were worked out better in 09, just a tip.

 

[Evan78]

Thanks, but even 07 and 08's are more than I want to spend when looking at GT examples.

 

[table5511]

ok, well good luck hunting!

 

[troutymouth]

Thanks, but even 07 and 08's are more than I want to spend when looking at GT examples.

The one I bought was listed on the lot at 23K. I think they took it down to 22. It had a special history and full records.

 

[troutymouth]

OK So I have an appointment with the dealer to do the following:

- Trans service (for sure)
- Power steering service (for sure)
- Coolant (if required)
- Brake fluid (if needed)
- Diff service (for sure)

Thanks for your help. I would use an independent, but I have a warranty and right now I can't afford for anything to go wrong. I would do it myself, but I don't have a place to work.

One last question: Should I bring my own fluids or just use the dealer's?

 

[Evan78]

The one I bought was listed on the lot at 23K. I think they took it down to 22. It had a special history and full records.

Sounds fair, thanks for the info.

 

[table5511]

just let the dealer use their fluids.

Also, one other thing I forgot to mention. When you accellerate in any gear and hear an annoying buzzing noise around 1800rpm or 1900rmp, this is a metal plate/bracket in the engine bay that is up high against the firewall which has 2 nuts. Factory forgot to put one of the nuts on, so the one side of the metal plate vibrates against the metal firewall, thus making the buzzing noise.

Its a 30 second fix, take the plastic retainer of the one side (pull it straight off with pliers), install the nut, and push the plastic retainer back on.
see my post in the tsb thread about this. It was a mechanics tip that I posted.

You can't buy the flange nut at lowes or ace hardware. Although its just a shouldered nut, no retail store has the correct thread pattern. I somehow had one in my vast hardware collection in the garage. Order from dealer. like 50 cents. cheap, easy fix that gets rid of the annoying buzzing sound.

 

[troutymouth]

just let the dealer use their fluids.


You can't buy the flange nut at lowes or ace hardware. Although its just a shouldered nut, no retail store has the correct thread pattern. I somehow had one in my vast hardware collection in the garage. Order from dealer. like 50 cents. cheap, easy fix that gets rid of the annoying buzzing sound.

I will take a look. Good info.

However I do seem to be in the range of VINs for that loss of power on hills TSB. Is it appropriate to ask the dealer to do a software update on the TCM and PCM (to the latest)? I haven't experienced this symptom yet, but I'm planning on driving up a mountain soon!