New Owner 2013 Mazda CX-5

[bluesippycup]

Hey guys,

Car enthusiast here that just went on a cross country trip over 1000 miles to West Virginia to pick up a Blue 2013 Mazda CX-5 with 65k miles. Picked it up for what I thought was a steal given current market prices which made it worth it to fly out and drive back. Please check out my preliminary photos.

I am wondering what maintenance I should do as part of my 60k mile service? I'm thinking spark plugs, oil change, fuel system cleaner, remote batteries replaced, cabin and air filter so far. What are some problem areas for this make and model that I should pay particular attention to?

Additionally I will be looking at upgrading the lighting as I noticed it to be a problem at night compared to my 2002 BMW M3.

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<BR></BR>
All the bugs after 1000+ miles

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<a href="http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/cx-5/2013/samcoltatx/381865" target="_blank"><img src="http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/381865.png" width="500" height="63" alt="Fuelly" title="Share and compare MPG at Fuelly" border="0"/></a>

 

[Unobtanium]

Hey guys,

Car enthusiast here that just went on a cross country trip over 1000 miles to West Virginia to pick up a Blue 2013 Mazda CX-5 with 65k miles. Picked it up for what I thought was a steal given current market prices which made it worth it to fly out and drive back. Please check out my preliminary photos.

I am wondering what maintenance I should do as part of my 60k mile service? I'm thinking spark plugs, oil change, fuel system cleaner, remote batteries replaced, cabin and air filter so far. What are some problem areas for this make and model that I should pay particular attention to?

Additionally I will be looking at upgrading the lighting as I noticed it to be a problem at night compared to my 2002 BMW M3.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/79183841@N03/20625555275/in/dateposted-public/" title="20150816_020828"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5796/20625555275_e58460143f_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1152" alt="20150816_020828"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<BR></BR>
All the bugs after 1000+ miles

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/79183841@N03/20438865109/in/dateposted-public/" title="20150816_004813"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/749/20438865109_de974abe2e_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="20150816_004813"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/79183841@N03/20599309546/in/dateposted-public/" title="20150816_021101"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/637/20599309546_d834a10cd9_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="20150816_021101"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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Congrats! Stick or slushbox?


As to the lighting, yeah, the E46 had great headlights, but one thing to also consider is that it will be a lot harder to "out drive your headlights" in a 155bhp SUV than in a 330bhp coupe.

I'm curious what you go with/how you bring it up to your illumination standards, though.

I would not use a fuel system cleaner on this vehicle, personally. I don't think it's necessary, and may well cause more harm than good. Oil, of course, plugs come later at 75k miles, I believe. Cabin filter is surely due for a look-see. I doubt the key fobs need new batteries, but it's not like that's expensive. I'd change the engine air filter...just 'cause.

 

[bluesippycup]

Its an Auto, I wanted more of a comfortable everyday driver as the M3 does the job when I get the itch.

I was going to use a fuel system cleaner after reading about all the build up direct injection causes. Any truth to this?

 

[bluesippycup]

For the fog lights Im thinking about going this route, https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

or DRL https://youtu.be/heCBJXBffTk

Only issue is I don't currently have the OEM lights so I'm wondering what all I need?

<a href="http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/cx-5/2013/samcoltatx/381865" target="_blank"><img src="http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/381865.png" width="500" height="63" alt="Fuelly" title="Share and compare MPG at Fuelly" border="0"/></a>

 

[Unobtanium]

Its an Auto, I wanted more of a comfortable everyday driver as the M3 does the job when I get the itch.

I was going to use a fuel system cleaner after reading about all the build up direct injection causes. Any truth to this?

Fuel system cleaners won't fix that, but so far as I understand, the CX-5/SkyActiv engines do not have an issue. Moreover, the chemicals in the cleaners COULD have an adverse effect on the fuel system. I'd not.

Interesting, that you feel the E46 isn't as good a daily as the CX-5. I have not owned an E46, but I have ridden in them, and have owned other cars that were similarly sporty, albeit not as refined perhaps. I found the E46 I rode in VERY comfortable. Moreso than the CX-5, especially at highway speeds. Is yours modded?

 

[mazdadude]

I have made the journey for a car several times before too. It can be a fun way to do a cross country trek. Or a disappointing Rental-car ride home (if the car is NOT as advertised).

If the car was serviced at a Mazda Dealer, you can input your VIN at the mymazda portion of the mazda.com site, and see what type of services have been done.

But at ~65k Your spark plugs should still have some more life left on them.

I would get the thing detailed out, do the basic factory recommended 60k service.

 

[Unobtanium]

I have made the journey for a car several times before too. It can be a fun way to do a cross country trek. Or a disappointing Rental-car ride home (if the car is NOT as advertised).

If the car was serviced at a Mazda Dealer, you can input your VIN at the mymazda portion of the mazda.com site, and see what type of services have been done.

But at ~65k Your spark plugs should still have some more life left on them.

I would get the thing detailed out, do the basic factory recommended 60k service.

I'm registered. No history. How do you show history? My vehicle has no records.

 

[bluesippycup]

Yes, it has a Dinan badge with full bolt-ons and suspensions mods which can make it quite harsh on the ride (along with 10 inch wide 19" rims)

Good call mazda dude, Im gonna check out the service history.

<a href="http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/cx-5/2013/samcoltatx/381865" target="_blank"><img src="http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/381865.png" width="500" height="63" alt="Fuelly" title="Share and compare MPG at Fuelly" border="0"/></a>

 

[Unobtanium]

Yes, it has a Dinan badge with full bolt-ons and suspensions mods which can make it quite harsh on the ride (along with 10 inch wide 19" rims)

Good call mazda dude, Im gonna check out the service history.

I understand, now.

Also, don't be upset when your service history is blank. Mine is, and I've had it in plenty for routine stuff. If you REALLY want to know, go to the dealer. They have to pull it. It's not owner-accessible according to Google.

 

[Buddywh2]

Deposits build on the intake valves in DGI motors. Fuel cleaners can't help with that because the fuel vapors never touch the intake valve stems, which is why the buildup occurs. Mazda has claimed to have solved it with 1)keeping valve temp above 400F at all times 2)an oil separator on the PCV valve and 3)unique valve timing that delays closing of the intake valve until well into the compression stroke (Miller cycle, which is also why premium gives no benefit even with a 13.0:1 compression ratio). I've yet to read of any SA-G owners complain of deposits so I'm keeping my finger crossed!

Is your M3 DGI? My friend has a 325i and he has to have his intake valves walnut blasted every 20K or the engine starts to run rough and hesitate on take-off.

 

[yrwei52]

Deposits build on the intake valves in DGI motors. Fuel cleaners can't help with that because the fuel vapors never touch the intake valve stems, which is why the buildup occurs. Mazda has claimed to have solved it with 1)keeping valve temp above 400F at all times 2)an oil separator on the PCV valve and 3)unique valve timing that delays closing of the intake valve until well into the compression stroke (Miller cycle, which is also why premium gives no benefit even with a 13.0:1 compression ratio). I've yet to read of any SA-G owners complain of deposits so I'm keeping my finger crossed!

I understand premium gas has no benefit to our NA version SA-G 13:1 2.5L. But I was curious why the same SA-G 13:1 2.5L does get more horsepower with premium: 141 KW/192 PS/189 hp @ 5,700 rpm in Europe?

 

[Buddywh2]

I understand premium gas has no benefit to our NA version SA-G 13:1 2.5L. But I was curious why the same SA-G 13:1 2.5L does get more horsepower with premium: 141 KW/192 PS/189 hp @ 5,700 rpm in Europe?

I recall reading the EU 2.5 SA-G has a 14:1 compression ratio spec though. All else equal, that could mean higher octane is needed to avoid pre-ignition.

 

[Unobtanium]

Deposits build on the intake valves in DGI motors. Fuel cleaners can't help with that because the fuel vapors never touch the intake valve stems, which is why the buildup occurs. Mazda has claimed to have solved it with 1)keeping valve temp above 400F at all times 2)an oil separator on the PCV valve and 3)unique valve timing that delays closing of the intake valve until well into the compression stroke (Miller cycle, which is also why premium gives no benefit even with a 13.0:1 compression ratio). I've yet to read of any SA-G owners complain of deposits so I'm keeping my finger crossed!

Is your M3 DGI? My friend has a 325i and he has to have his intake valves walnut blasted every 20K or the engine starts to run rough and hesitate on take-off.

No, the e46 is not dgi.

 

[yrwei52]

I understand premium gas has no benefit to our NA version SA-G 13:1 2.5L. But I was curious why the same SA-G 13:1 2.5L does get more horsepower with premium: 141 KW/192 PS/189 hp @ 5,700 rpm in Europe?

I recall reading the EU 2.5 SA-G has a 14:1 compression ratio spec though. All else equal, that could mean higher octane is needed to avoid pre-ignition.

This was my original impression too. Then a member (sorry I forgot who) pointed out that this is only applicable to EU SA-G 2.0L which has 14:1 compression ratio, more horsepower: 121 KW/165 PS/161 hp @ 6,000 rpm for FWD and 118 KW/160 PS/158 hp @ 6,000 rpm for AWD with premium gas (95 RON/91 AKI) as premium gas is widely used in many European countries. But SA-G 2.5L is an exception. 2.5L still has 13:1 compression ratio, but with added horsepower with premium gas in most EU. See the specification on page 14 in this German CX-5 brochure.

 

[MikeM.]

I understand premium gas has no benefit to our NA version SA-G 13:1 2.5L. But I was curious why the same SA-G 13:1 2.5L does get more horsepower with premium: 141 KW/192 PS/189 hp @ 5,700 rpm in Europe?

Probably because it's tuned for premium. Lower octane fuels don't meet the minimum spec and will trigger the knock sensor so you better be prepared to pay up!

 

[Unobtanium]

Probably because it's tuned for premium. Lower octane fuels don't meet the minimum spec and will trigger the knock sensor so you better be prepared to pay up!

EU also has different emission requirements, and I have noticed that the EU spec cars often have a few bhp more than the US bound cars, even in vehicles without different compression ratios or octane requirements.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Yes, it has a Dinan badge with full bolt-ons and suspensions mods which can make it quite harsh on the ride (along with 10 inch wide 19" rims)

Good call mazda dude, Im gonna check out the service history.

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There are plenty of mods and tuning when you are ready.
One way I clean mine lol.