The free-service card, issued in compensation for the overstated horsepower, is NOT transferable to a new owner.

 

Uhh, that's a big swift kick in the ***. How much cheaper is it if you only get them to do the services you cant do?? For example, I will change my own oil, I have already put in synthetic tranny and diff. fluids, I will probably buy a new K&N drop in air filter. Don't need to worry about the spark plugs at 3.75 K because I am going to get the Engine Crank No Start procedure done under warranty. Basically all I need is those inspections, how much you reckon that will run me??

 

Way too much.

Most of the stuff listed you can inspect yourself. I mean if you're mechanically inclined enough to change fluids, you can inspect things, I would think. And if you just really have to get your car inspected, be sure you make it explicitly clear that you want no work done, just inspections. ie, inspect the radiator but don't flush it. The weasels at the dealership may have a different idea of what constitutes a 30k mile service than Mazda does, so get it in writing--do not do business or approve work over the phone. If you do, there's no paper evidence if they do more work than you asked for, and you won't be able to prove they're lying.

 

Well, there was a DIY on the fluids. I can probably figure out how to inspect some of the stuff, but stuff like brake lines, driveshaft dust boots, exhaust system heat shields. No clue. Plus I need my locks and hinges lubed. I'll call and get a quote on JUST the inspections and see what they say.

 

The dealer should certainly give you a quote. Just make sure you understand exactly what they are going to do. Most dealers do not use the actual Schedule in the manual but, instead, use a "generic" service list.

 

Just talked to two different dealers. First I am going to Wray Mazda in Columbia SC to get my "Engine Crank No Start" update package. (I told him to go ahead and change the trailing plugs since he will be putting in hotter leading plugs anyway)

Anywho, I called John Finger Mazda in Greenville, SC to ask about the "inspection only" part of the 30K mile service. They told me that they would do a 16 point inspection for FREE since I have or will take care of the other parts of the service. So all in all, hopefully I'll have all this work done for not much money. Is this 16 point inspection sufficient for the inspections required in the 30K mile service??

 

Yeah, my dealer also does a "free" 16 point inspection. It does NOT necessarily match the manual as they use the same "inspection" for ALL Mazdas, Chryslers and Jeeps sold at the dealership. Either go to the dealer or have them fax you a copy of their "16 point inspection" and then go item-by-item through the Schedule in the manual. You will probably need to explicitly ask for several additional checks not included in their "inspection".

What bugs me is that the dealership guys always look at you like you are crazy when you ask for the checks listed in the manual that they don't normally do.

 

Sorry to bump a post, but wtf!

Tustin mazda quoted me 750 normal, or a "special" 500 with my recall work.... for fluids? They can go to hell, ill do it myself...

 

that's some jacked up isht. the dealership I went to quoted me $550 with unnecessary stuff AND left out the required brake fluid change. When I removed the unnecessary stuff (e.g. throttle body carbon cleaning), and added the brake fluid change and trailing spark plugs, I walked out $500 poorer. Signifncant part of that cost was a general "inspection" of all those items that are supposed to be done for 30K. I can only hope that they actually did inspect those, since it wasn't free. In the end, they did exactly what was in the manual + trailing spark plugs (plugs are due at 35K, but I had leading replaced at 25K as part of recall).

For 30K, manual states to replace:

* Oil change
* Clean the air filter
* Replace the brake fluid
* Replace the transmission fluid
* Replace the rear diff fluid

Also, manual states to inspect:

* Drive belt
* Fuel lines, hoses and connections
* Cooling system
* Brake line, hoses and connections
* Disk brakes
* Steering operation and linkages
* Front and rear suspension and ball joints
* Driveshaft dust boots

 

you'd be surprised how dirty the throttle body gets . Really easy to clean though- did mine yesterday.

 

DIY?

 

Remove intake

Remove accordian tube

clean throttle body ( hold it open manually & wipe with a clean lint free cloth )

Reinstall tube & intake .


The only hard part is removing the intake - there is a vid here somewhere of a guy doing it in about 20 seconds .

 

DIY -"O man please do so." Im attempting my first tune-up and have covered most of the DIY's in here. Truly a blessing guys.

 

Does the check engine light come on as a reminder when you cross 30k? Mine turned on a 30,200 so I'm wondering if that is all it is. My next oil change is scheduled at 31k so I was going to wait but made an appointment for tomorrow just in case there is an issue.

I did a few quick searches but did not come up with anything. Thanks.

 

NO, there are no service reminder lights on the RX-8.

Your CEL came on for a different reason... you should look into what's wrong.

 

Thanks. It is going in tomorrow morning so we will see...

 

Paid $160 for the 30K service. Did not need intake filter (due having a Revi) and did not need the interior filter. The CEL was caused by the gas cap which is known issue so no issue there.