ping2ping: What does "servicing the auto gear" mean? Changing the ATF every 4-6 months? Is it same for all cars? I know of a friend who drives Honda Accord 97. She last changed the ATF of the auto gear four(4) years ago yet the car is still moving. She is using it as everyday car.

igomen: To enjoy Mazda MPV you need to have good maintenance culture. Regular servicing of the gear (just as you service the engine) say every 4-6 months is the only panacea for unforeseen (future) gear problems. No two ways about it. How do I know this you may ask; simple, I drive one and I have been taught a lesson I don't intend to forget in a hurry.

ping2ping:

Which model of MPV are you using? Could you share your bitter experience so that other interested readers may learn

igomen:
I drive a Mazda MPV LX 2000 model. It's a fun car to drive but when u ignore the warning signs repairs will eat deep into your pocket. Though my mechanic told me I'm lucky its the 2000 I model I own, he said if it were the '02 and above models, I will spend 3x the amount I spent in rebuilding my gear. Warning sign: After I stop in traffic and I try to accelerate, it takes a while before it moves; that is a sign that the gear filter might be clogged. Solution is either to service the filter or replace it. I did neither and weeks later the auto transmission failed completely, I could not move an inch.

After this experience and my account debited by 50k to rebuild the tranny, I now do regular gear service of 4-6 months interval. I no longer have tranny issues, its a smooth ride all the way. Just as you shouldn't ignore your car engine, so also you shouldn't ignore the gear: inspect at regular intervals by taking note of the colour, smell and consistency of the fluid, this will give you an idea of when service is due.

ping2ping:

Sorry about that and thanks for sharing. But what kind of ATF do you use?

Somebody elsewhere in this forum said "You will need to replace the piping underneath the car with aluminum since it is prone to rust which will cause your car to lose coolant and overheat - and this vehicle does not like overheating. Once you have done this, and you use a proper mixture of both coolant and water, you will never worry about overheating with this vehicle. Also ensure both fans work to prevent overheating." Did you experience overheating problems or changed the piping as the guy said?

Thanks for the info

ping2ping:

Sorry about that and thanks for sharing. But what kind of ATF do you use?

Somebody elsewhere in this forum said "You will need to replace the piping underneath the car with aluminum since it is prone to rust which will cause your car to lose coolant and overheat - and this vehicle does not like overheating. Once you have done this, and you use a proper mixture of both coolant and water, you will never worry about overheating with this vehicle. Also ensure both fans work to prevent overheating." Did you experience overheating problems or changed the piping as the guy said?

Thanks for the info

igomen:
I drive a Mazda MPV LX 2000 model. It's a fun car to drive but when u ignore the warning signs repairs will eat deep into your pocket. Though my mechanic told me I'm lucky its the 2000 I model I own, he said if it were the '02 and above models, I will spend 3x the amount I spent in rebuilding my gear. Warning sign: After I stop in traffic and I try to accelerate, it takes a while before it moves; that is a sign that the gear filter might be clogged. Solution is either to service the filter or replace it. I did neither and weeks later the auto transmission failed completely, I could not move an inch.

After this experience and my account debited by 50k to rebuild the tranny, I now do regular gear service of 4-6 months interval. I no longer have tranny issues, its a smooth ride all the way. Just as you shouldn't ignore your car engine, so also you shouldn't ignore the gear: inspect at regular intervals by taking note of the colour, smell and consistency of the fluid, this will give you an idea of when service is due.