Anyone have a transmission problem with their Mazda Protege 03?

[Mazdahak]

Hi, I have a 03 hatchback mazda protege (4 speed transmission automatic, 40k milleage) and recently noticed that the gas milleage has dropped; the car burns more gas. I mostly drive the car on highway and noticed that when going 65-70 mph, the tachometer stays in between 3 and 3 1/2. Most cars that I have driven so far, I have seen the tochometer stay around 2 1/2 when driving 65-70 mph. Is this something normal w/ this type of Mazda? I have done tune up/transmission fluid/and changed the Input speed sensor in the transmission! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[rooster]

Seems fine, the protege revs high naturally.

as for gas milage;

check
tire pressure
spark plugs
oil
tranny fluid
dead weight

[kura808]

^^^ what he said.

maybe ur ready for a tune up?

[knoxville]

i have not heard of the protege 323

having tranny problems - the 626 had problems in the late 80's early 90's. 2003 is the last year the car

was produced (now mazda 3). the powertrain should be under warrenty.

i never heard of gas milleage being linked to a tranny.




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blue cross (http://www.californiahealthplans.com/)

[80sGuy]

...when going 65-70 mph, the tachometer stays in between 3 and 3 1/2...This is very normal for Proteges, I have a 2000 Protege LX with the 1.6 engine/automatic and it revs that much at those speeds.

[Protege5 Driver]

i have not heard of the protege 323

having tranny problems - the 626 had problems in the late 80's early 90's. 2003 is the last year the car

was produced (now mazda 3). the powertrain should be under warrenty.

i never heard of gas milleage being linked to a tranny.




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Cargo Liners (www.autopartswarehouse.com/cargo_liner~pop.html)
well it does happen remember power goes through the tranny to the wheels and if th etranny is bad the engine will have to work harder thus wasting more gas

[concept]

The final drive ratio determines what the engine speed will be at speed. The higher the final drive ratio is, the higher the engine speed will be at a given speed. The benefit of having a higher ratio, such as 4.7:1 is that acceleration will be quicker. The downside is that fuel economy will suffer a bit. A newer model manual transmission Corvette will run at 1500 rpm at 70 MPH in 6th gear, That's why it can achieve 28 MPG and have 400 horsepower at the same time.
My 02 Protege ES runs at 3000 rpm at 70 MPH.

Here's a link with lots of related info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_ratio