Paul74
08-03-2008, 05:34 PM
I'm planning to buy an '02 or '03 Protege with an automatic transmission. In the interest of getting a car that has been reasonably well maintained, I spoke with a mechanic at a local Mazda dealer. He gave me the following list of Mazda recommended maintenance:
Throttle Body Flush (15K mi. intervals)
Brake Fluid Flush (24K mi. intervals)
Power Steering Fluid Flush (24K mi. intervals)
Transmission & Differential Flush (30K mi. intervals)
Coolant Flush (30K mi. intervals)
Replace timing belt (60K mi. intervals)
I'm accustomed to changing brake fluid and coolant at intervals like the above on other cars I've owned, but I've never seen a manufacturer recommend changing power steering fluid. And what is a throttle body flush about?
Does anyone really follow these recommendations?
He also told me the timing belt change is a $600+ item. True?
Thanks in advance for your help. Hope to join you as a Mazda owner soon.
Throttle Body Flush (15K mi. intervals)
Brake Fluid Flush (24K mi. intervals)
Power Steering Fluid Flush (24K mi. intervals)
Transmission & Differential Flush (30K mi. intervals)
Coolant Flush (30K mi. intervals)
Replace timing belt (60K mi. intervals)
I'm accustomed to changing brake fluid and coolant at intervals like the above on other cars I've owned, but I've never seen a manufacturer recommend changing power steering fluid. And what is a throttle body flush about?
Does anyone really follow these recommendations?
He also told me the timing belt change is a $600+ item. True?
Thanks in advance for your help. Hope to join you as a Mazda owner soon.