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.

The Mazda 3 is a great little car but, with a towing limit of 1300kg, it is not a burly towing brute. Engineers focused on making the car ride nicely and handle well, rather than being able to support large loads off a tow bar, so it would be seriously ill-advised to tow much more than a very small dinghy.

So long as it is serviced regularly and kept clean there is no reason a Mazda 3 won't be a reliable car. Watch for consumables like tyres, brakes and shock absorbers being replaced with high quality parts as it is a sign the car is likely to have been looked after.

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.

Of those you list I would go for the Mitsubishi ASX. You could also try the Kia Sorento or Mazda CX-5.

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.

An SUV would seem to be the best choice given your concerns about getting in and out of the car. Most carmakers now offer FWD versions as well as all-wheel drive models, and without knowing what your budget limitation is I would think an SUV like a Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester or Kia Sorento would fit your needs well.

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.

Thanks to modern security systems gaining access to a Mazda 3 without using the factory keys is pretty tricky. The door and boot (trunk) locks are very good at protecting the car from thieves using screwdrivers to punch the lock out, as they did in the past. Modern immobilisers, computers and wiring systems are also adept at preventing a thief from doing the old Hollywood hotwire like you see in movies. The best bet is to call a locksmith and have them open the car for you.