30k Maintenance - feels good

[solomr2]

Yesterday I did an oil change, I switched from dino oil to Mobil-1 fully synth and I threw in a Pure-1 filter. As recommended in the owner guide I also replaced the spark plugs - I found some Autolite AP3924 platinum tipped plugs at Wally world for under $2. I gapped them at 0.040.

When I drove to work today (about 45 miles) I noticed a substantial improvement in throttle response and the engine seems to rev a little smoother. I also noted that it downshifts more freely and quicker now when I step into it. I should also know by end of week if fuel mileage has improved any - I was getting 280-300 miles per tank-full before.

Anyone else have a similar experience after 30k?

Since I'm at 32K miles now, what else should I consider doing from a maintenance standpoint? I was considering a K&N drop in filter, or is my money better spent on a CAI? My current filter was changed at 25k - regular paper filter (fram or something like that).

[pingdum]

Tranny fluid, engine coolant

[Mazda P5 driver]

Yesterday I did an oil change, I switched from dino oil to Mobil-1 fully synth and I threw in a Pure-1 filter. As recommended in the owner guide I also replaced the spark plugs - I found some Autolite AP3924 platinum tipped plugs at Wally world for under $2. I gapped them at 0.040.

When I drove to work today (about 45 miles) I noticed a substantial improvement in throttle response and the engine seems to rev a little smoother. I also noted that it downshifts more freely and quicker now when I step into it. I should also know by end of week if fuel mileage has improved any - I was getting 280-300 miles per tank-full before.

Anyone else have a similar experience after 30k?

Since I'm at 32K miles now, what else should I consider doing from a maintenance standpoint? I was considering a K&N drop in filter, or is my money better spent on a CAI? My current filter was changed at 25k - regular paper filter (fram or something like that).

Let me get this straight...did you EVER change the air filter, or was it only at the 25k mark? I got smoother idle changing from Mobile 1 to Amsoil. The gas mileage is easy to get if you don't rail the gas all the time. I think I can pull 120 on the first 1/4 alone and have over 200 at half if I wanted to. I also use the Chevron fuel system cleaner about every 6k miles.

What i'm saying is that something doesn't seem right.

[memo79]

ditto. I got over 400 miles on a single tank-full this weekend.

[LA dreamer]

I just hit 25K and am wondering if I am supposed to change my spark plug wires along with the plugs or is just changing the plugs good enough?

[ZeroAccess]

400 miles
DAMN, I get WAY less than that but I normally drive prolly a lil harder than you
Doubt the filter,etc has been changed but getting a CAI so I won't bother, and as far as tune-up thats gonna happen in a few thousand miles.

[mogi]

I'd inspect the spark wires and replace them if they are getting crappy, otherwise the stock wires are fine
I just did the plugs at 30k

[Mustard97]

i get like 200 miles a tank sometimes lol, i consider myself lucky if i get anywhere near 300 miles a tank

[solomr2]

I only got the car at 25K so I don't know what the previous owner did or didn't do. When I got it the air filter was brand new, and oil filter was replaced.

As for mileage, I drive a little hard, and I tend to use the sport shifter a fair bit. I think I would probably get better mileage if I had a manual tranny. I also drive in heavy stop/go traffic every day, so that doesn't help either. On a recent trip driving all freeway, averaging about 80mph I got about 320. That was as good as it gets.

I measure my mileage with every fill by resetting the trip meter to zero, and I have driven until the warning light comes one at least 5 or 6 times over the past 7K miles, and it is very consistent. When I fill it up it always takes about 12.5 gallons (but I think the tank holds 15 so there is always about 2.5 gals reserve).

If you get 400 "measured" miles between fills then you are either driving a lot different from the rest of us, or you've got a special engine. Just for giggles, on your next fill reset your trip meter and then drive until the warning light comes on. You may be surprised. I'm often at 200 at the half tank mark, but the last half just vaporizes.

I know two other people with the same car locally, one is 2002 the other is 2003, and they both get about 280-300 also.