Mazda Problems

Drive the car gently for 10 minutes to get the oil warm. Park the car on level ground, lift the bonnet and loosen the oil filler cap on the engine, and slide a tray or pan with at least 5-litres of capacity under the car. There is a flap held on by a couple of plastic screws protecting the drain plug and oil filter. You may not be able to reach the drain plug on the sump underneath the car without lifting the vehicle. If this is the case remember to use multiple chassis stands to securely hold the car in the air, and to ensure the car is as level as possible (so you might need to jack up the rear of the car to keep it flat). After 10 minutes the oil should have stopped dripping from the sump plug so put it back it and snug it tight - don't over-tighten it as you could strip the thread in the sump which would require removing the engine to fix! Remove the oil filter, allowing it to drain, and ensuring the rubber seal isn't stuck on the metal mating surface. Once drained wipe a smear of fresh oil on the new oil filter's rubber O-ring, fitting it a quarter-turn past snug. Check on your owner's manual for how much oil is required for your particular engine, and what grade of oil you should use.

Mazda’s second-generation KF CX-5 crossover is built around the world in Mazda facilities in Japan (Hiroshima and Hofu), Malaysia (Kulim), and China (Nanjing). As the latest CX-5 model only launched last year it is likely the next update won’t be coming out for at least five years.

There was a recall in November 2017 to fix a problem with a gearshift cable retaining clip that could cause the cable to come in contact and be damaged by the prop shaft. The result was that you couldn’t change gears and could lose drive.

The third-generation BM-series Mazda 3 comes in two lengths, depending on the body shape. Sedans are 4580mm while the hatchback model comes in at 4460mm from nose to tail.

The problem with the gauges needs to be investigated by an auto electrician. With the fuel it appears there is a problem with the pick-up in the tank under cornering when the fuel is being pushed to one side. It could be the pump or the filter inside the tank.

A new Mazda3 was hinted at in late October 2017 when Mazda showed off the new Kai concept. It is due to be released to market in early 2019 and will represent a huge leap forward in design and technology.

Replacing the CR2025 key in Mazda's is fairly simple. There is a small slide on the back of the key fob, which you hold open and then pull out the silver loop top section of the key. With a thin flat-head screwdriver inserted into the slots under where the key was, use a twisting motion separate the case. Once the case has started to split apart, run the screwdriver down the outside of the case to quickly pull the key apart. Pull the protective plastic cover off, then take the rubber gasket out. Switch the CR2025 battery, placing the positive side up, then reassemble the key.

Unfortunately you’ve kept the Corolla too long, and have had to spend money to keep it going. Keep that in mind for the next one you buy.

You’re constrained by your $20,000 budget, but I would suggest you look at a Kia Rio, Mazda2, Mitsubishi Lancer, or Suzuki Swift. All should fall within your budget and all will give you a good run. If you were prepared to buy a used car that is one or two years old, you could consider a Toyota Corolla, or a Mazda3.

The Volvo XC90 is a terrific luxury SUV, one that offers plenty of high-end technology and luxury appointments, plus with enough room for seven adults if need be. It's an inescapable fact that the Volvo is on the expensive side - if you consider a petrol engine version with sporty styling - the T6 R-Design would be the go-to option - and at about $105,000 before on-road costs and options, you're likely to see a lot of value in a like-for-like comparison against the Mazda CX-9 Azami AWD (which is about $65,000 before on-road costs, and there are hardly any options to choose). 

The Volvo doesn't excite the senses as much as a Mazda CX-9, and if that's important to you, then we'd suggest the Japanese seven-seat SUV is the better option. But it is hard to argue against the Volvo's driveway cred, and if you can afford it without stretching the budget, then it's definitely worth a test drive. 

While there are ways to make your Mazda 3 quite fast it is not cheap or easy, and will require extensive involvement from experts. You would be far better served to look for a second-hand factory turbocharged high-performance Mazda MPS model, or buying a Subaru WRX, or Volkswagen Golf GTI, to get your high-performance kicks.