Do I need "30k" service?

[Deeko]

This is probably a stupid question, but I searched and didn't find anything relevant, and I've answered enough stupid questions on AT over the years that I'm entitled to ask one of my own 🙂

I have an '07 Mazda 6 with 34k miles on it. I recently had the front tires replaced, alignment done, brakes checked/replaced, and did the whole Jiffy Lube oil change thing which also checks your other fluids and filters and whatnot (yes, I know how to change my oil, and yes, I'm just too lazy to do it).

Speaking of lazy, I'm also too lazy to RTFM and find out if anything else needs to be done for 30k service, and I'm sure a shop will say yes because they like my money. So...does the collective wisdom of Anandtech think I need anything else done, or am I good?

 

[Hellotalkie]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=07+mazda+6+30k+mile+maintenance

 

[Deeko]

I know lmgtfy is meant to be mocking, but I do believe I pointed out several times in my post how lazy I am - not to mention, lmgtfy does a terrible job with that link, actually making things even more difficult.

 

[Deeko]

Anywho, that seems to link to mazda forums where people are asking the same question. From the responses, it looks like the only factory-recommended service I'm missing is a coolant and transmission fluid change.

In my 10 or so years of driving, while I've had various fluids topped off, I don't think I've ever had to actually change them. Is that really necessary at this point?

 

[sygyzy]

I did my 30 and I will do my 60k service in a few months just because there has been some hesitation when I start the car. I also want to be sure that everything is in good shape. I think you should do your 30.

On a side note, you spent half your post on really silly things like excuses and explanations about why you are lazy. Nobody really cares and you don't get a prize for pre-emptively answering any concerns someone may have. Why don't you just ask your question and get an answer. I don't understand the time wasted with the other bullshit.

 

[Deeko]

I did my 30 and I will do my 60k service in a few months just because there has been some hesitation when I start the car. I also want to be sure that everything is in good shape. I think you should do your 30.

On a side note, you spent half your post on really silly things like excuses and explanations about why you are lazy. Nobody really cares and you don't get a prize for pre-emptively answering any concerns someone may have. Why don't you just ask your question and get an answer. I don't understand the time wasted with the other bullshit.

Because I've been here long enough to know that without the disclaimers, 90% of the responses would be "lolz deeko rtfm" or "ha what a n00b u should change ur own oil!!!11one!!" or "gawd y cant you just search???" and other useless nonsense that does little to actually answer the question at hand.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Seriously, a five minute google session would have been quicker and more authoritative than anything in this thread.

 

[Deeko]

Seriously, a five minute google session would have been quicker and more authoritative than anything in this thread.

While true - what's the harm in asking people's opinion? Perhaps from people with more experience or know-how in the field? Isn't that the purpose of a discussion forum?

As an analogy - lets say I were interested in the Blackberry Storm. I could search Google and find out what Engadget, BGR, and Gizmodo think. And that's good information. I could also ask people on ATG&G to get people's personal experiences. These are distinctly different data points, both useful in their own right.

AT'ers should spend more time answering questions and less time bickering over whether or not the question should have been asked.

 

[bruceb]

If you never did the coolant or tranny fluid in 10 years, you probably should. Especially the coolant, along with new hoses and T-Stat / Radiator Cap, with a cooling system flush. There are mixed views on tranny fluid changes, if it has never been changed. If it has, it should be done every 50K miles or so

 

[Deeko]

If you never did the coolant or tranny fluid in 10 years, you probably should. Especially the coolant, along with new hoses and T-Stat / Radiator Cap, with a cooling system flush. There are mixed views on tranny fluid changes, if it has never been changed. If it has, it should be done every 50K miles or so

To be clear, over those 10 years, I've had about a half dozen different cars. I am not so privileged as to have had a 2007 car since 2000!

Thanks for the info, though. Doing a coolant change appears to be pretty straightforward, maybe I'll just do it, if that's all that needs to be done.

 

[ponyo]

For most cars, 30k service is just oil change and inspect various things. I don't know specifics on Mazda 6 so you should check your owner's manual and do the required service. And for most cars it's just oil change.

 

[EightySix Four]

While true - what's the harm in asking people's opinion? Perhaps from people with more experience or know-how in the field? Isn't that the purpose of a discussion forum?

As an analogy - lets say I were interested in the Blackberry Storm. I could search Google and find out what Engadget, BGR, and Gizmodo think. And that's good information. I could also ask people on ATG&G to get people's personal experiences. These are distinctly different data points, both useful in their own right.

AT'ers should spend more time answering questions and less time bickering over whether or not the question should have been asked.

Personally I'm a fan of getting the 30k work done, in fact I just did it on my Sky at (at 29k miles). Oil and oil filter, fuel filter, coolant, clutch and brake fluids (brakes got a little mushy on me at the track last time), transmission and diff fluid, and a general tightening of the suspension.

This is more than the is factory recommended for my car, but I beat up on it quite a bit more than average and I feel it's a good investment (especially if you can do it yourself) for the longevity of the vehicle.

Just my $.02

 

[DivideBYZero]

While true - what's the harm in asking people's opinion? Perhaps from people with more experience or know-how in the field? Isn't that the purpose of a discussion forum?

As an analogy - lets say I were interested in the Blackberry Storm. I could search Google and find out what Engadget, BGR, and Gizmodo think. And that's good information. I could also ask people on ATG&G to get people's personal experiences. These are distinctly different data points, both useful in their own right.

AT'ers should spend more time answering questions and less time bickering over whether or not the question should have been asked.

I agree in most cases, but with car services the exact schedules and check lists are posted online for every make and model. Just sayin'.

 

[Gibson486]

30k should just be an oil change and check stuff. It might be time to change your cabin filter (3 has one, not sure about 6) . If you go to the dealer, they are gonna claim you need a bunch of things you don't. I have gone this route. Don;t waste money like I did.

 

[Gibson486]

Personally I'm a fan of getting the 30k work done, in fact I just did it on my Sky at (at 29k miles). Oil and oil filter, fuel filter, coolant, clutch and brake fluids (brakes got a little mushy on me at the track last time), transmission and diff fluid, and a general tightening of the suspension.

This is more than the is factory recommended for my car, but I beat up on it quite a bit more than average and I feel it's a good investment (especially if you can do it yourself) for the longevity of the vehicle.

Just my $.02

yeah, beginning at 40k, start checking your tranny fluid if you have an auto...the 3/6 are rough on the fluid.

 

[LTC8K6]

https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/pdf/maint_schedules/07_Mazda6_MS.pdf

 

[vshah]

i did oil, air/cabin filters and got them to put in updated MTF as per a TSB at around 30k.

i just follow what the maintenance minder tells me.

 

[basslover1]

Anywho, that seems to link to mazda forums where people are asking the same question. From the responses, it looks like the only factory-recommended service I'm missing is a coolant and transmission fluid change.

In my 10 or so years of driving, while I've had various fluids topped off, I don't think I've ever had to actually change them. Is that really necessary at this point?

I've never purposely changed my coolant out, though I had a pretty steady leak for like 6 months which required me to add fluid every two weeks. I'd say it's been completely changed out. Check when the timing belt is due on that car, I would recommend doing the waterpump and t-stat at the same time. If you do that, then I would go ahead and put in new coolant (you should anyway if you're going to drain it completely).

A lot of people say that the most wear on a transmission is in the first 30k miles, and you should change the fluid around that time. I changed mine once at 100k miles, and other than the old stuff stinking like horse shit, I didn't notice any difference in shifting smoothness with the new stuff.

 

[vi edit]

I did my 30 and I will do my 60k service in a few months just because there has been some hesitation when I start the car

Is it a GM by chance? GM has shit starters. My '06 Malibu w/ 40k miles has done it since it has 2k miles on the odo. My wife's '06 Equinox does it. My Dad's '03 Silverado does it. Pretty much any GM made in the last 10 years is going to have a stumbling starter.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Anywho, that seems to link to mazda forums where people are asking the same question. From the responses, it looks like the only factory-recommended service I'm missing is a coolant and transmission fluid change.

In my 10 or so years of driving, while I've had various fluids topped off, I don't think I've ever had to actually change them. Is that really necessary at this point?

The question I have to ask is, why wouldn't you? It costs what? A couple hundred dollars to have the dealer perform this service? Pretty small amount compared to what you pay for a car these days. It's called preventative maintenance because doing this will help prevent larger, more expensive problems down the road.

 

[Deeko]

https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/pdf/maint_schedules/07_Mazda6_MS.pdf

Perfect, thanks! Looks like I'm good to go.

The question I have to ask is, why wouldn't you? It costs what? A couple hundred dollars to have the dealer perform this service? Pretty small amount compared to what you pay for a car these days. It's called preventative maintenance because doing this will help prevent larger, more expensive problems down the road.

The most common (and my laziness aside, correct) response has been "do what the owners manual says". The owners manual - which I did check on my own yesterday, and LTC8K6's electronic copy confirms - that I do not need to do a coolant or transmission flush at this point. If I'd taken it to a dealer, I can almost guarantee they'd have charged me a couple hundred dollars to basically do nothing, which is what I wanted to avoid.

Thanks for all the input, guys.

 

[HarryLui]

What does your owner manual say?

 

[Vette73]

Service is about milage AND age.

At 30k and less than 6year I would replace/look at...

air filter
cabin filter
fuel filter
PCV Valve
change oil
check all other fluids
lube hinges
check belts and hoses
check/lube(most today are sealed) suspension

If its above 6 years check/replace coolant and trans filter/fluid based on condition and driving habits. Probable ok but check with a closer eye, esp if the car is known to have issues.


Most dealers will do very little and charge a lot. So either do it yourself or find an independent shop.

 

[alphatarget1]

Just change the ATF yourself every 15k miles if you love your car 😛

 

[JulesMaximus]

Perfect, thanks! Looks like I'm good to go.



The most common (and my laziness aside, correct) response has been "do what the owners manual says". The owners manual - which I did check on my own yesterday, and LTC8K6's electronic copy confirms - that I do not need to do a coolant or transmission flush at this point. If I'd taken it to a dealer, I can almost guarantee they'd have charged me a couple hundred dollars to basically do nothing, which is what I wanted to avoid.

Thanks for all the input, guys.

My car has a major service every 30/60/90k miles. I just prefer to take it to the dealer and let them do the work. A couple hundred bucks isn't going to break me every 2 years and as far as I'm concerned it is money well spent as I have all that service history come time to sell it.