Mazda Protege Oil Choice

[JFace]

Here's my information according to the first sticky:

1. 1999 Mazda Protege 1.8L
2. Not sure what the manufacturer recommends
3. Live in southern Ohio with frequent visits to Canada
4. I am soft with the acceleration, but am not afraid to push speed limits. I go 75 on the highways.
5. My daily drive is to and from work, about a 10 mile round trip. Rarely do I use my car for any other drives, other than traveling to Canada.
6. Starting to catch up with regular maintenance that was neglected while I was in college. I had a mechanic replace the timing belt, water pump, hoses, coolant, and oxygen sensors. The catalytic converter still needs replaced (is this important?).

I am looking to push the maximum life out of this car, possibly into 300k+ miles. I get the oil changed at valvoline, standard conventional, about every 4000 miles. Any advice on how to keep this car running well into old age?

 

[sangyup81]

Looks pretty good. Some would argue for a fuel additive but either way, you should be able to hit 300k+ easily with that car

 

[JFace]

I forgot to mention that it has 180k miles. I'm not very experienced with car maintenance; I have it all done by mechanics.

 

[brandini]

Keep doing what you're doing!

Is it an automatic?

 

[JFace]

Yes, it's automatic.

I figured I was doing the right thing thus far...changing the fluids at the proper time. I was just wondering if a particular oil would be more effective for my circumstances.

Any advice on the catalytic converter? Any other maintenance advice?

 

[brandini]

The cat does not affect performance unless it is clogged. If it is, replacing it will restore power and driveability (and usually mpg as well since efficiency will improve).

How often do you change your transmission fluid?

 

[JFace]

Most of my knowledge is based off of what the valvoline guys tell me -- hence my need to be educated.

I purchased it at 90,000 miles and did not change the transmission fluid until about 120,000. I would assume that that was the first time it was ever changed. I recently changed it at 170,000.

 

[brandini]

Then you're doing close to perfect, if you switch to a synthetic transmission fluid like Amsoil or Schaeffer (if they are compatible with your required fluid) you can just flush it every 60k miles and be fine. (Amsoil says 100k in normal service which your driving habits fall under) Conventional auto transmission fluid should probably be replaced every 30k miles.

The only thing I'd see if if your transmission has a replaceable filter (not just a screen), and if it does, have that replaced the next time you change the fluid.

Keep the same oil change schedule and don't let the oil-change places do any other work on your car and you'll be fine. As for the cat, have a recommended mechanic from one of your friends take a look at it. Also look-up reviews for repair shops on www.yelp.com

 

[JFace]

I just remembered something...

Earlier in the spring of this year, I changed the spark plugs. The old plugs were probably original, and were covered in what appeared to be motor oil. Is this a simple oil leak, or something potentially traumatic?

Also wondering about oil suggestions, or if standard conventional is A-ok.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: JFace
I just remembered something...

Earlier in the spring of this year, I changed the spark plugs. The old plugs were probably original, and were covered in what appeared to be motor oil. Is this a simple oil leak, or something potentially traumatic?

Also wondering about oil suggestions, or if standard conventional is A-ok.


Very common on 4-cylinder motors is for the valve cover gasket to leak some oil into the spark plug tubes. On my Acura for example, they're separate donut shaped gaskets that you can replace. On some other cars, they're all one piece designed to keep oil out of the tubes, like on the 2.0 Ford DOHC motor found in the Escort ZX-2's. More than likely that's what the problem is.

 

[JFace]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: JFace
I just remembered something...

Earlier in the spring of this year, I changed the spark plugs. The old plugs were probably original, and were covered in what appeared to be motor oil. Is this a simple oil leak, or something potentially traumatic?

Also wondering about oil suggestions, or if standard conventional is A-ok.


Very common on 4-cylinder motors is for the valve cover gasket to leak some oil into the spark plug tubes. On my Acura for example, they're separate donut shaped gaskets that you can replace. On some other cars, they're all one piece designed to keep oil out of the tubes, like on the 2.0 Ford DOHC motor found in the Escort ZX-2's. More than likely that's what the problem is.


Is this a problem, or just a case of oily spark plugs?

 

[ottotheclown]

I have a 99 with 1.6 motor. Have been running Castrol blend, with tons of short trips change at 3,000. It has 140,000 plus miles. Exhaust problems head pipe, radio, some sensors, EGR that works and then does not work, but other than that plan on over 200,000 easy. EGR is going to be replaced. Right on top of engine. Piece of cake.

 

[sangyup81]

Change your valve cover gaskets. It's an easy job on a 4 cylinder if you are going to do it yourself.