30k service?

[EmmasMom]

Hi! I'm new here... not much of a car person, but looking for some opinions/answers please.

I have a 2008 Mazda 5 with 37000 miles. I get the oil changed regularly and I've replaced the tires once. Last time I had the oil changed the dealer recommended the following:

AIR FILTER IS STILL ORIGINAL 42.95 OR INCLUDED IN 30,000 SERVICE AS LISTED MENU GIVEN TO CUSTOMER 189.95. WIPER BLADES 18.00 INDUCTION THROTTLE BODY SERVICE WITH KAM STAY ALIVE MEMORY RESET, PCM UPDATE 179.95

Is all that necessary? I've seen many people say the 30k service is a waste of money. Should I just get an air filter and change the wiper blades?

I appreciate any and all help. Thanks!

 

[Davicho]

Buy an air filter
Get an oil and filter change
Replace your wiper blades
Replace your A/C filter (if you haven't done so)

And call it a day.
I don't know which PCM update they are recommending. The only one I am aware of is the engine stumble/hesitation one. If you have not done it get it done. (they should have done this for you a long time ago under warranty). You don't need a TB service at 37k miles.
Just my opinion.

 

[markuszoom5]

Stealership

Buy an air filter
Get an oil and filter change
Replace your wiper blades
Replace your A/C filter (if you haven't done so)

And call it a day.
I don't know which PCM update they are recommending. The only one I am aware of is the engine stumble/hesitation one. If you have not done it get it done. (they should have done this for you a long time ago under warranty). You don't need a TB service at 37k miles.
Just my opinion.

Replace your cabin air filter and your air filter yourself. Buy some Bosch wiper blades for front from advance auto parts. Buy the rear blade from dealer. Find someone with scanner to reset your ECM or buy a scanner for 60 from advance auto parts you will need it. The air filter- take off battery cover and the air duct cover, one screw. Undo the clamps. For cabin air filter, napa probably has it, it's about 5 screws after you remove the panel by the passenger seat. It's not hard! You can find info here. Don't let them steal from you!

 

[Silentnoise713]

Agree with Davicho.

At 37K, aren’t you past the 30K service anyway Since you keep up with routine oil changes, 60K is the new 30K. I’m not sure how you drive but I’m coming up to 40K (had the car for 16K) and I’m overdue for brakes in the rear. But if you dealer did not catch this then perhaps you commute highway or are easy on your brakes but they do wear quickly.

Regarding the PCM reflash, I though this was only applicable to 06-07 models. Am I mistaken? I have an ’08 and would be interested to know if my PCM was updated, or not. I don’t feel mine drives all that smooth so perhaps I need it.?.

 

[DKaz]

I heard that PCM updates are covered to 120,000 km (75,000 miles?) at least in Canada, and after that PCM updates are no more than $69.99. I had a local dealer do a PCM update for me when I went to get a check engine light checked, only charged $55 or so for half an hour of diagnostics. $180 is bogus.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Replace your cabin air filter and your air filter yourself. Buy some Bosch wiper blades for front from advance auto parts. Buy the rear blade from dealer. Find someone with scanner to reset your ECM or buy a scanner for 60 from advance auto parts you will need it. The air filter- take off battery cover and the air duct cover, one screw. Undo the clamps. For cabin air filter, napa probably has it, it's about 5 screws after you remove the panel by the passenger seat. It's not hard! You can find info here. Don't let them steal from you!

Completely disagree with you. The OP stated she(?) is not a car person and this is way too much ask someone new to DIY. Since the car goes to the dealership for oil changes, the owner probably wants an easy/hands off solution and don’t mind paying for the piece of mind (state of mind).

Changing the cabin filter is literally a pain in the back and neck, and requires some contortion skills. You need to have a stubby Phillips head screw driver. I went cheap (ebay) on the cabin filter and regret it. When taking out the OE filter, it has a foam seal around it so when the two filters are stacked, it creates a better/closed seal. The cheap replacements do not have this seal! Also, I find the filter media to be cheaper. I though I could go cheap but I’m wrong. I may regret it more once pollen season kicks-in.

The PCM flash is a firmware upgrade, not the same as simply resetting it from a CEL. This is not some equipment you can buy for cheap or rent, only Mazda dealers or the black market has it. I would love get access to one and reset/remove the damn belt minder ding…

 

[thaxman]

Here's my opinion:

The engine/drivetrain section of the forum is officially DEAD. that means that the car is trustworthy. Sure, you can pay money for piece of mind, but I get my piece of mind every time I see old threads drop off that section with no new ones appearing. Keep up on the fluids as we suggest here, filters are important (in due time) but other than that, not much needs attention.

 

[thaxman]

Actually I do have something to add.

The power steering pump is IMO the weakest part under the hood. Keep an eye on it. Even if it appears that the PS fluid level isn't moving, you can get leakage somewhere at the pump like I have that causes the entire underside to become saturated. Not enough to really effect the way it works, but in a real crisis, the slight hesitation in steering could mean the difference between completely missing an obstacle and grazing it. One can see if there is a problem by looking through the lower grille to the left to the canister-looking thing behind and below the passenger headlight. Mine got replaced around 40K (2006 model though) but the new version doesn't appear to be any better.

 

[markuszoom5]

Not really that hard!

I replaced the air filter yesterday for $9 bucks. And then got a cabin filter for $23 from napa it did come with the foam seal. It's only 2 covers and 4 screws. You don't need to disconnect anything. It took me 30 minutes in my driveway. Yes you do need a stubby driver and a flashlight. Please no power drivers. You migh strip the screws. Type in Mazda 5 cabin filter in YouTube it's easy. Find a guy then he will do it for you.