Yesterday, I went in to my local Mazda Service Center to get my 15,000 mile scheduled maintanance done and to have a CEL looked at. I was included in the free scheduled maintance program that was the result of changing the hp from 247 to 238. I handed the service guy my card and he told me that I couldn't use it yet. He told me that Mazda would not reimburse the dealership unless I followed the schedule 1 maintance program where an oil change comes every 7500 miles. However, I have been following schedule two, which allows oil changes at every 5000 miles. The first two services they accepted it, why not now? He told me that the dealership had to foot the bill last time and that they cannot get Mazda to reimburse them.
So, I sopose I need to call Mazda directly about this. How should I go about it? What information will I need? I found and printed off the notice about the free scheduled maintanance program at finishlineperformance where it says that the owner may choose to follow either schedule 1 or 2. Will this be enough proof?
Also, has anyone else had difficuties concering this?

Please chime in and give advice or an opinion...

Thanks
-JiM

 

BS - I've been getting mine done every 5000 miles since I got the car and haven't had to pay. I've got 22,000 on the car currently.

Last time when I took it in, they called me at work and said the same thing they told you. I just forcefully said, "No, the agreement from Mazda said we could choose either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. I've been doing Schedule 2 all along." They guy backed off and said OK. He actually said to me that I knew more about the car than he did. [scary] I asked if he wanted me to bring the printout of the agreement in and he said no.

You've got the agreement. If they won't accept it, call Mazda.



I am curious why two dealers have now tried to balk at this....

 

So far the service department at this place has been pretty cool with me. The service manager even printed out copies of my vehicle info for me from thier system. It is a Warranty Vehicle Inquiry Result and has on it all my info, my accessories, dealer info, build date, warranty info, recalls and special services (TSBs) that apply, and vehicle history.

I think it is just Mazda trying to be asses about their agreement. Thats why I'm not mad at the service department really, but I am at Mazda. That is why I am asking for some advice when I call in to try and get them to accept schedule 2.

-JiM

 

It's not Mazda, it IS your dealer. The letter you received when you opted for free service specifically says you can choose either schedule. You cant change it halfway, but other than that, your dealership is trying to pull a fast one.

 

No advice or opinion needed - it's right in Mazda's warranty bulletin that announced the free factory-scheduled maintenance program. Here's a link to Warranty Bulletin AD-47 . You can print it out and slam it down on the counter and confront them, or just tell them to quit trying to rip you off, read AD-47, and give you your FREE service, dammit!

If ANY of your operating conditions meet the Schedule 2 requirements, then you can use Schedule 2 maintenance schedule under the free program.

Regards,
Gordon

 

I really hope this isn't a trend- I'll be taking mine in for it's 25k service soon, and so far they've been pretty good about it. I am going to throw a hissy at them if they try to pull this..

 

What absolute BS and your dealer is either uninformed or just plain trying to rip you off.. print out that bulletin listed above. It clearly states what circumstances schedule 2 should be followed. Just tell the guy you consistently drive the car short distances. Problem fixed. If the dealer still balks simply call MNAO and tell then what the dealer is doing, they will take care of it for you.

 

Ok... thanks for the clarification everyone. Don't worry... I'm not just gonna take this bull. I have a new appointment this wednesday after my CEL came back. It turns out they never fixed it... just cleared it. I will still call Mazda directly just to see what they say. If they can give me the go ahead then it is just another weapon in the arsenal for when I go back on wednesday.

I should highlight this part of the warranty statement when I go in:
NOTE: The dealer should comply with the owner's request for maintenance services under Schedule 1 or 2. Refer to the 2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual, page 8-3 through 8-5, for recommended maintenance and schedules.

Thanks again,
-JiM

 

What is "schedule 1" and "schedule 2," and when are they applicable? My car is recently built and not part of the horsepower controversy, but just wondering.

 

Read your owner's manual section 8-3

As for the thread, that is BS. I have been on schedule 2, and just had my 15K done with no questions asked.

 

Thanks, Nemesis. I had my nose in the manual this afternoon and must have missed that section.

 

No problem.

In hind sight, I wonder if Mazda is starting to have reservations about their program... I think that they should have just replaced the CATs with longer lasting different ones, and then left the fuel maps alone. We would all have our 247HP, and allot of embaressment could have been avoided by Mazda over this whole fiasco.

 

Right...here is the deal!! The dealer service tech's will have a fee of xxx dollar amount per hour for work. Mazda will be paying them for warranty at a discounted rate. Because of this, the dealers will be turning folks away due to higher paying non-warranty customers in-line. I guarantee it!!! It's simple business.....the higher paying customers have the higher return on investment.

They are hoping you are uninformed enough to not know!!

As stated before...print off the TSB and bring it with you. This should kill any issues you may have. Talk to the service Mgr if necessary.

At the end of the day...you are owed, what you are owed. Simple.

- Irish

 

Just reading this thread makes me realize even more how pathetic MAzda is when it comes to AFTER the sale......

Never again.


JEff

 

Been getting mine serviced every 5,000 miles by the dealer under the free maintenance program -- no issues here. Next one is the 25,000 mile service.

Thanks Mazda.

 

Just curious does this free service only apply to the initial buyers who thought they were getting the 247HP or do even new buyers qualify?

 

The free maintenance only goes to the pre-buy RX-8 buyers that deciced to keep the car.

As far as the Service dept trying to make you pay.....why in the heck **** off a customer over 20.00 worth of parts and labor? Why do you think Mitzu just started free scheduled maintanance? To get customers back in the door to get the first shot at other repairs not under warranty like brakes and tires.

It's a shame they took a tool that was designed to keep you happy and used it to make you mad.

 

Nope. Only original buyers who were part of the buyback program.

Edit: I thought I should also mention that it wasn't worth it JUST for the free service. I kept mine, because I loved the car, and $500 "cash" was icing. I used the free service once for an oil and air filter change. That was a mistake, as the dealership trashed my car. I never let them touch my car except for recalls and TSBs. My free service card is rotting away in my wallet.

 

Yeah for sure I want one free maintenance or not

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

My car is a few days old and they told me last Thursday to change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Are they for real?

 

No, their not for real!! Try earlier. Read the manual, Mazda suggests an oil top off every other gas fill up. 3k miles......I wish!!

Trust me though, all joking aside...check your oil via the dipstick on a regular basis.

- Irish

 

I bought my car used(had 3k on it) from a non mazda dealership that knew little about the car or warrenty other than what the book said. After reading about all the problems and the "free" things given, such as maintenince, I assume these things transfer to the second owner but where do I go to find out if im eligable? Or are yall getting the free main from the dealship direct? My car was made 11/03. thanks

 

Don't know how many different ways to say this but.....THIS IS A DEALER PROBLEM, NOT A PROBLEM WITH MAZDA!

If your dealer is trying to "jack you around" with the free service agreement, call Mazda and tell them. Be persistent with your dealer's service manager, or go to the GM of the dealership if you have to.

We agreed to the terms of the agreement and so did Mazda. If the dealer won't abide by the terms, then Mazda corporate needs to know. These dealers are rated on customer satisfaction. Make your dissatisfaction known.

No, the free maintenance offer is not transferable from the original owner.

 

1) The free maintenance program does not transfer to a new owner. The $500 cash back certainly doesn't either! :p

2) The free maintenance program was only offered to owners of record as of August 24, 2003 (IIRC, or right near the end of August). It was because before that date, the car was advertised as having 247 HP, and they had to revise the rating down to 238. Any car purchased after the cutoff date was not offered the free maintenance program. Obviously, with your car only being manufactured in November 2003, it was never eligible, so you don't get anything. :p

Regards,
Gordon

 

I put a down payment on the car I wanted on 8/26/04, and made a check out for the balance on 8/29 when I picked it up. Brought my car in for it's 5,000 mile service around 10/20 and was told by the service manager that I qualified for the free maintenance schedule, when I knew I missed the cutoff date. Who was I to argue? So I took the free oil change. Brought my car in for it's 10k service and fully expected to pay (didn't mention the free service), and once again, they comp'd it. New owner takes over the dealership and went in for my 15k at the beginning of the summer and they billed me. Spoke with the new service manager and was told, the previous dealer goofed, and that I didn't qualify for the free service schedule. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.