Seeking advice for keeping aging CX-5

[7eregrine]

Regarding manufacturer suggestion not to service your transmission. What do people do when their transmissions act up? Bring it to the dealer. What does the dealer say? thousands of dollars for a new transmission.

They pull yours out, refurbish it, swap another refurbished transmission in from another unsuspecting customer, make thousands of dollars off their "recommendation."
*shortened for brevity*

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

 

[Lazy2.5]

I obviously disagree with most, not all but most, of your post and stand by what I said.
As more and more car companies make the switch to "Lifetime", surely more and more transmissions are failing? Tranny failures should be WAY up...
I don't know a single person, personally, that has replaced a transmission in 20 years. I haven't seen anecdotally on any car forum I am on where lots of people were getting new transmissions...except here. When the 16s got a bad batch from the factory.

I also refuse to believe it's some conspiracy to get us to replace our cars earlier as some think. No way. No car company wants to be known as THAT car company that has implodng trannys at 100K...

Feel free to disagree, obviously or not.

Literally the only time I have ever seen a transmission not experience serious wear or outright failure after 200,000KM on the original fluid is the Skyactiv's.

 

[madar]

Definition of "lifetime"

and:

 

[racecar68dad]

Hello I'm new here. Have a 2015 CX5 176K on the clock. I just put some money into it (new control arms, radiator, starter, plugs, tires, and fixed an exhaust leak. I am hoping I can drive this to 250K. The engine and transmission are still smooth and strong and it honestly still feels like the day I bought it (CPO with 26K)

Do I have too much faith, I know some drive for quite a whiles. reports of over 300K on some.

I live in New England so rusting is problematic when I do my own repairs - but I manage. I don't beat on it, I use Mobile 1 synthetic high mileage oil and filters changing every 7K or so.

My concern is I haven't really followed the service manual or used the dealership. So I have possibly missed some key things. I have a K & M air filter installed. I also just recently changed the MAF sensor as I accidentally gunked it up with the air filter oil by applying too much. I picked one from a salvage yard and that fixed my CEL, it was very clean and no issues running it so I believe its fine. I also cleaned the throttle body at the same time.

I am wondering what else I should consider as a preventative? I am thinking the differential fluids at a minimum should be done soon as they have never been changed. If you were me, what would you recommend if planning to keep this vehicle alive?

Side note, shopping for a car for my wife. We tested a 2023 CX-50 today, the nicest trim. I liked it but it you could definitely feel the wheels and the interior felt tight as in you are close to the dashboard, cup holder in an odd spot. The turbo felt nice though! We have a hold on a 21' Tiguan which drove very nice but VW gives me pause in general, I got comfortable with it but the wife got cold feet as I was researching different issues. She seems to have her heart on a newer Forester, but in my mind Subaru has also gone downhill. I'm regretting not trying a newer model CX-5 while were at the dealer. She really loved the CX-70 for all the wrong reasons (paint color, LOL) but that just looked huge to me in the showroom which isn't my speed. Not to mention that's not really in our budget, the CX 70.

I am glad to have found this forum, it will be a helpful resource for me moving forward to hopefully keep my CX-5 going for another 2-3 years.

TY

My 2015 CX5 has 176K I have dropped the pan at 50,00 mile intervals. New filter at 100k. OEM fluid, even at 14 bucks a quart!. It takes 4+ QTS. I have noticed no difference in performance. At 100k I serviced everything, QEM coolant, brake fluid flush, Plugs, All gear boxes with Amsoil fluids. I expect to go to 300k.

 

[hxdai]

Just did transmission drain/fill at 96k at dealer(gasp), maybe when I get to 150k I'll find a specialty shop for a full drop. bought OEM gear oils and going to do rear diff/transfer case myself.

Good point on the shock mount: same new england car, my rear-right mount has a chunk broken off and the yellow bumper dropped out of the mount. I'm changing that before winter.

 

[Moonlighter]

Our Mazda dealers here, my local in particular, have been pretty darn good and generally reliable. So I am happy to continue to use them for the regular servicing my CX5.

That said, were I to want a transmission service I would likely get a detailed quote from the dealer and then get another one from a local auto transmission specialist, we have a couple in our area that have good reputations. One of them fixed my sons Honda Jazz CVT (called a Fit in other markets I think) when it had the well known “Jazz judder” that Honda couldnt fix after 3 attempts.

And to be honest, I would never have one of those oil soaked air filters on any car of mine. As you found out they will easily mess up MAP sensors, they clog up too easily if the car gets driven on dusty roads, and overall, the car is much better off with the factory fitting and a good quality paper filter. They do good marketing though…. LOL!

I have always believed that oil is the lifeblood of engines. So for decades now I have always changed the oil and filter in my family’s cars at half the recommended interval. Small cost when you do it youself, and gives me a chance to get under the car for a general looksee.

I use the same good quality oil every change, and supply the dealer with a jug of it when the car goes in for a dealer service. And ask for the leftover to be returned to me so I know they used it.

If the brake fluid has never been changed, thats well and truly overdue too.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Our Mazda dealers here, my local in particular, have been pretty darn good and generally reliable. So I am happy to continue to use them for the regular servicing my CX5.

That said, were I to want a transmission service I would likely get a detailed quote from the dealer and then get another one from a local auto transmission specialist, we have a couple in our area that have good reputations. One of them fixed my sons Honda Jazz CVT (called a Fit in other markets I think) when it had the well known “Jazz judder” that Honda couldnt fix after 3 attempts.

And to be honest, I would never have one of those oil soaked air filters on any car of mine. As you found out they will easily mess up MAP sensors, they clog up too easily if the car gets driven on dusty roads, and overall, the car is much better off with the factory fitting and a good quality paper filter. They do good marketing though…. LOL!

I have always believed that oil is the lifeblood of engines. So for decades now I have always changed the oil and filter in my family’s cars at half the recommended interval. Small cost when you do it youself, and gives me a chance to get under the car for a general looksee.

I use the same good quality oil every change, and supply the dealer with a jug of it when the car goes in for a dealer service. And ask for the leftover to be returned to me so I know they used it.

If the brake fluid has never been changed, thats well and truly overdue too.

I go for 5000-7000km between oil changes. I regularly monitor the oil's colour and smell to determine. Lately, I find I can go closer to 7000km without issue, likely due to reduced short trips and warmer weather. (Temperature drops generously and stays low for months here in Canada, really takes a toll on the drivetrains here.)

 

[theblooms]

No, neither has been changed.

Get on that. They're easy. And for the ATF, you'll need to drop the pan, clean the magnet, and change the filter.

 

[SparkYellow]

I have always believed that oil is the lifeblood of engines. So for decades now I have always changed the oil and filter in my family’s cars at half the recommended interval. Small cost when you do it youself, and gives me a chance to get under the car for a general looksee.

I use the same good quality oil every change, and supply the dealer with a jug of it when the car goes in for a dealer service. And ask for the leftover to be returned to me so I know they used it.

If the brake fluid has never been changed, thats well and truly overdue too.

May I ask why you are not changing the oil/filter yourself when you did so on the family cars?

 

[Moonlighter]

May I ask why you are not changing the oil/filter yourself when you did so on the family cars?

Not sure I understand your question or that you understood what I said. To be clear :

The Maxda dealer does the CX5’s oil change using oil that I supply and a Mazda filter as part of the scheduled services. I do an interim oil and filter change halfway to the next scheduled service. Eg at about 7,500km.

I get the Mazda dealer to do the scheduled logbook services as they involve more than just changing the oil, and that means I have a full dealer service record which ensures that warranty is not compromised.

 

[madar]

Not sure I understand your question or that you understood what I said. To be clear :

The Maxda dealer does the CX5’s oil change using oil that I supply and a Mazda filter as part of the scheduled services. I do an interim oil and filter change halfway to the next scheduled service. Eg at about 7,500km.

I get the Mazda dealer to do the scheduled logbook services as they involve more than just changing the oil, and that means I have a full dealer service record which ensures that warranty is not compromised.

I understand your comment, but for the record, changing your own oil won't compromise the warranty, you just need to keep your receipts.

 

[RedBaron]

I understand your comment, but for the record, changing your own oil won't compromise the warranty, you just need to keep your receipts.

Yes, probably true. But if you DO have a big issue, the dealer is more likely to go to bat for you if you are a regular customer.

 

[7eregrine]

Yes, probably true.

No probably about it.

But if you DO have a big issue, the dealer is more likely to go to bat for you if you are a regular customer.

Also true, though.

 

[madar]

So, your essentially paying more money to be in the dealers good graces? Not my thing...

 

[Lazy2.5]

So, your essentially paying more money to be in the dealers good graces? Not my thing...

I agree. I was skeptical of dealers based on anecdotal accounts of experiences i've read on different forums, but after experiencing it myself first hand, good god...

I agree with you, and I think it's the right approach, as many dealers are insincere and have incompetent techs, not to mention the insane rates even for simple repairs. But, if he found a dealer he likes... Oh well.

 

[madar]

I agree. I was skeptical of dealers based on anecdotal accounts of experiences i've read on different forums, but after experiencing it myself first hand, good god...

I agree with you, and I think it's the right approach, as many dealers are insincere and have incompetent techs, not to mention the insane rates even for simple repairs. But, if he found a dealer he likes... Oh well.

Agree, if they treat him extraordinarily good then good for him. It's not been my experience

 

[Lazy2.5]

Agree, if they treat him extraordinarily good then good for him. It's not been my experience

Same here. I was not treated well at all. I have a post about it on here, in case you have not read it yet.

I felt as though I was being completely disregarded and ignored when attempting to voice my concerns.

Only when I noticed that my brake pedal was soft, and that the lines were wet with fluid, were my concerns acknowledged, upon emailing the service manager. Sure, at that point, he went above and beyond in covering beyond the basics of some obligatory dealership recall work, but..

I dread the thought of ever going back to a dealer again, even for recall or warranty work.

I was quoted $600 CAD before tax for a wheel bearing. Insane.

 

[SparkYellow]

Not sure I understand your question or that you understood what I said. To be clear :

The Maxda dealer does the CX5’s oil change using oil that I supply and a Mazda filter as part of the scheduled services. I do an interim oil and filter change halfway to the next scheduled service. Eg at about 7,500km.

I get the Mazda dealer to do the scheduled logbook services as they involve more than just changing the oil, and that means I have a full dealer service record which ensures that warranty is not compromised.

Got it! Thank you for making it clear.

 

[RedBaron]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority (unfortunately). I like my dealer and the service dept. Plus, their basic service charges are reasonable. For ~$70 (synthetic) or $55 (dino) oil changes, they also do a full tire/brake/suspension/filter check, including a video of same. So not much more (if any) than the local oil monkey places AND the inspection and car wash & interior vacuum thrown in.