r0tor

iTrader: (1)

If your getting 16mpg highway either your not useing 6th gear or lying through your ****. Milky oil on the dipstick is common... maybe the user should learn more about his car before calling it a POS.

You didn't buy an average car, you bought a car that requires special attention to the quirks of its special engine. If your too lazy/ignorant to put up with these things, you don't deserve to drive the car. Period.

8_wannabe

I get 16.5 all the time around SD, though a trip I took 500 miles north I got around 19. I had been hoping for the low 20s but didn't get it. I don't think rieskame is too far out of line, but a little on the low end if that is truly hiway cruising mileage (no stop and go.)

Can you expound a little on the milky oil thing? What is that or what causes it? Are we not to be concerned if we see that? I haven't, but I'd probably freak if I did...

Racer X-8

Anyone else seeing what I'm seeing on this poll?


AT - 1 out of every 3 flooded at least once

MT - 1 out of every 8 flooded at least once


That's a pretty obvious difference. Is it the cars, or the drivers?

MEGAREDS

The AT/MT distinction was not lost on me and I think there is something to that theory. I'm also beginning to think that this is not a flooding problem at all, but a "fouling" problem. I'm going to talk to Mazda specifically about that possibility. It's also a bit of a pain if the AT/MT distinction does matter because the AT can't be roll-started (no clutch, sorry to say), as some RX-7 owners have suggested could have been done in my case.

In any event, there is the issue of the emergency start procedure doing absolutely nothing as I ground the battery into near silence. And the infuriating issue of a Mazda dealership putting what is essentially a threat on an invoice, as if I had done something wrong: "Procedures for starting and running vehicle are detailed in the owner's manual." Huh? Where?!?! "Customer will be responsible for any future flooding conditions." Yes, and customer will raise Holy Hell if made to feel stupid again as he looks at his car for 6 days and loses a day of work as his new car sits in the driveway while the rotary mechanics take a holiday. SIX DAYS! This was not a "One Time Goodwill" fix, because it generated no goodwill whatsoever. Hold on, need to calm down... ok, ok, ok.

Guys, gausian curves aside, let us agree to be positive about this "issue" that's affected 15% of us and be positive in getting it resolved. Everyone needs to understand not to shut down cold, wives (even husbands - in your case Cruzdreamer) and valets included. We should know exactly what to do if we make a mistake. Mazda should work like dogs to find a fix and be honest with people thinking of buying this "specialty car" (my dealer's words) about its special needs. Finally, and here I am proposing someting new... we should know exactly what it will cost to have our cars towed and deflooded if it happens - *and* people who are flooded far from home need to get moved to the front of the line and, sometimes by God, a mechanic in an emergency (and I did not have an emergency) may need to actually stay late or come in from home. Right? Is anyone going to disagree with me on any of these points? Anyone? I dare ya...

Arthur

This is my first time here and the reason I logged in was to see if anyone else was having problems with the engine flooding. I've had the car since November and haven't done anything differently, but this week the engine has flooded twice. The first time I couldn't get it started and had to have it towed to the dealer. A monumental waste of my day. I listened to the lecture on warming up the car (which I already had been doing faithfully). Well, it happened again today after I drove it a few miles to the grocery store. I was in the store approximately 15 minutes, and when I came out it wouldn't start. It was 19 degrees, but my blood was boiling. I did manage to get it started, but I immediately called my dealer and let them have it. I am really ticked off at this point. This isn't just a quirk, it's a major design flaw and a safety issue. What if I had been in a remote area and couldn't get it started?

I agree with a previous comment that this is something that should be reported to the NHTSA. I did that a few minutes ago and noticed that there several complaints already logged. Maybe if we all do it, MAZDA will be forced to do something about this. The complaint can be filed on line and it's easy.

My car is scheduled to go in again Monday for the flooding issue. I'm curious to see what they have to say.

8_wannabe

Arthur, welcome to the forum and sorry it was for such an unfortunate reason. I hope you find comfort in numbers here. If it'll make you feel any better (and I'm sure it won't) you are the first I've seen who said you flooded twice. And under mysterious conditions, considering it sounds like you did nothing wrong in either case.