Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service

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Thu 15 Mar 2012 10:56
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - mcros

Opinion/advice please on whether my MX-5 - 4 years old in May and with 16700 miles from new - REALLY needs a 48000 mile service - incuding replacement of brake fluid and rear diff oil change this year ? It has had Mazda main dealer service in accordance with manufacturer schedule thus far - including 37500 service a year ago when it had 11000 on the clock.

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Thu 15 Mar 2012 12:31
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - bathtub tom

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If you've ever experienced brake fluid boiling as a result of this, you'll not skip it being changed. There is a simple test that seems to work, the relevant part starts around 1.40: tinyurl.com/768jv47

Do all MX5s have LSDs? That's probably why they recommend an oil change.

I change my engine oil and filter annually on my cars, even the one I bought for fifty quid!

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Thu 15 Mar 2012 18:39
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - mcros

Thanks ...... Interesting ...now where did I put my handy DVOM ......?

Do you also change your brake fluid every 2 years ?

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Thu 15 Mar 2012 22:43
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - bathtub tom

I bleed my brakes every year, just enough to check the colour of the fluid that's expelled. It's usually quite dark if it comes out of rear drum cylinders.

I have used a digital multimeter (DVOM?) to check my brake and clutch fluid. It seems to be a good indicator.

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Fri 16 Mar 2012 22:57
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - 1litregolfeater

I wouldn't have thought so, probably doesn't need anything whatsoever.

Just for info, my Mazda dates from 1994 and has never had the brake fluid changed. Brakes are a little soft now, but it keeps passing MOTs. I'm too scared to bleed the brakes now as it could be opening a can of worms, or a Pandoras box, with broken nipples, air locks, knackered seals that only come to light with pressure on the wrong side.

So better to do it sooner rather than later, maybe in 5 years or so.

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Sat 17 Mar 2012 13:56
Mazda MX-5 - 48000 mile / 4 Year service - gordonbennet

1litregolfeater i'd be really concerned at leaving the braking system so long without a fluid change, far better to discover you have damaged seals in the master cylinder on your driveway that when trying to stop when going down a long hill when the filthy water in the fluid boils.

I have had total brake failure many years ago due to poor fluid in a Wartburg, not my car, luckily the handbrake was very good and brought the car to a decent halt, a trouser browning moment indeed.

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