Recent content by ljmattox

Got alerted on another board that Photobucket now wants $399 per year to allow photos to be shared on a website (they are calling it "3rd party hosting"). So now: All / nearly all photos I've shared here are now toast / held hostage. Sorry if this is a duplicate message, I searched for...

Sorry to read about catastrophic damage, wow. Your post was helpful, though, to encourage me to check the oil level on my 5. It's new to me, bought with 72k miles on the clock. I've used 7500 miles intervals on both my former 2010 Sport, and now this one. Checking my oil level, at 6500...

That's what I have, the same one as @hank3, Harbor Freight Low Profile. Not the rapid pump version (unfortunately), but it's worked great for 7+ years.

Glad that you're enjoying your Mazda5! I've owned a 2010 Sport MT, now a 2012 GT...incredibly useful vehicles!

It's a pretty good first project, then. Take your time, just unbolt and re-bolt, access to anything needed is pretty good. Good luck! I needed a 1/2 breaker bar, 14mm socket and ratchet, 14mm spanner, and that metric allen wrench, 5mm if memory serves. WD-40 or Aerokroil on the bolts and let...

Starting getting a few things done again on my Mazda5, I'd ordered this Mazdaspeed 3 rear sway bar to replace the stock one; fairly common mod, but still I thought to take a few photos in case someone is thinking about this. I ordered the sway bar, rubber bushings, and retaining clamps. I...

I'll say yes. For my 12, I just looked at the OEM parts listing, and picked the entries (swaybar, bushings, and bushing holders just to be safe) that specified "for 18-inch wheels" since they came on MZSpeed 3's. I got what I wanted, I did not check the parts listing for a '07

Sorry, Koni FSDs are aftermarket shocks/struts that replace the stock units. Koni is probably best known for their adjustable performance shocks. Several years ago, they started offering these FSD shocks, trying to combine improved body control and ride comfort along with performance...

And...2010 was Sport/MT (that I upgraded to Katzskin leather + heated seats), compared to my 2012 GT (automatic). Like the modern instrumentation on the 2012, looks like any other modern Mazda now. I think I notice the torque increase from one to the other; I don't have the opportunity to...

I recently bought a second Mazda5, a 2012 GT, after owning a 2010 Sport/MT for four years. Lotsa good info here! I've already done tint / rims / Koni FSDs / LED bulbs / V1 Mount. Next: trailer hitch / MazdaSpeed 3 rear sway bar / LED DRL's / loud horns. Enjoy!

LED'd most of the easy bulbs. 9005 Opti-7 Fluxbeam high-beams, map lights, dome light, cargo light, backup lights. I needed shorty 194s for the map lights...didn't have on hand. Put on my rear bumper cover. Added a Valentine One mount and direct power wire (wrote a how-to elsewhere).

I hate hanging cords from radar detectors, so I spent some time this afternoon installing a direct-wire connection and mirror mount for my Valentine One in my Mazda5. I planned on tapping power from the overhead console, and with a sunroof, it was sure to have a powered-only-with-the-key-on...

Installed Koni FSD struts all around, and F&R alignment...still tracking straight and true, and body control over freeway heaves and transitions is much improved. As smooth-riding as whatever was on it (bought used; have no idea if they were replaced before), maybe even a bit more compliant...

Finally got the camera out, after tint and rims.