GS500
This is my first motorcycle - a 2001 Suzuki GS500k1. I bought it in October of 2003, with about 3000 miles on the odometer. All I have to say is that it's the most fun I've had out of 37hp ;o]
If you're looking for information on GS500s, try the
GSTwin site and their
forum.
Modifications: National Cycle F18 screen; Progressive springs; Srinath case savers.
Mazda3
My first new car, woo! It is a 2005 sand Mazda3i. I bought it after a nice lady
folded my old car in half. So far, aside from a little trouble seeing anything when backing up, I have only good things to say for it :). I'll have a photo up as soon as I'm not lazy (that's not going to be very soon, so don't hold your breath).
Modifications: FIAMM low-tone horn addon to beef up the tiny beep.
If you are curious, you can view my
greasemonkey work log.
|
Model |
Date ↑ |
Mileage |
Job Type |
Job Name |
Comments
|
|
GS500 |
2012.04.15 |
12726 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
Quaker State "Advanced Durability" 10w-40 - 3qts
Hi-Flo HF133 filter
Old oil still looked fairly clean |
|
Mazda3 |
2012.03.29 |
79000 |
Maintenance |
Headlight |
show
|
[hide]
Passenger side low-beam burned out.
Replaced both sides with Osram H7 Rallye (+65W) bulbs (65w, 2100 lumens, 500 hours).
Bought them on ebay from a guy in Hong-Kong |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.12.01 |
76795 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
motocraft 5w-20 ~ 4.5qt
motocraft FL400S filter (slightly larger)
auto-rx 3-4oz (maintenance doze) |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.12.01 |
76784 |
Maintenance |
Tire Rotation |
show
|
[hide]
front to back; same side; all wheels balanced |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.07.01 |
73628 |
Maintenance |
Brakes |
show
|
[hide]
Replaced rear rotors and pads. In comparison to the new ones, had <25% of pads left. Did not really need rotors replaced, as there was minimal wear and they were both smooth.
- Centric C-Tek "standard" rotors (121.45066)
- Centric "premium" pads (shimmed) (300.09730)
- Used "brake tool" from Advanced Auto for rear caliper pistons (worked OK).
- Need 7mm hex key
- Need 21mm socket for lug nuts |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.06.21 |
72756 |
Maintenance |
Alignment |
show
|
[hide]
Alignment @ Kauffman Tire -- $80 with 12K miles / 12 month warranty
Had them check brakes that confirmed that rear pads and rotors need replacement, while fronts are still good (~50% pad left) |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.06.21 |
72753 |
Maintenance |
Tire Change |
show
|
[hide]
Michelin HydroEdge 205/55-R16 @ DiscountTire.
Replaced Goodyear TripleTread, which were good, but lasted only 40 out of promised 80K miles. Got a tread warranty discount because of that.
Purchased Free Replacement certificates as insurance |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.06.20 |
72746 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
done @ dealer
LF05-14-302A filter + gasket
5w20 gastrol GTX
autorx 3-4oz maintenance dose
Note: tech noted that rear brake pads and rotors need replacement -- quoted $400 for the job. Fronts are still good |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.01.04 |
69630 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
Changed at the dealer
- LF05-14-302A filter w/ gasket
- 5w20 Gastrol GTX
auto-rx 3-4oz (maintenance doze) |
|
Mazda3 |
2011.01.04 |
69630 |
Maintenance |
Tire Rotation |
n/a
|
[hide]
n/a |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.11.29 |
68744 |
Maintenance |
Battery Change |
show
|
[hide]
Replaced battery @ Sam's Club
Energizer "group size 35" |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.07.13 |
65990 |
Maintenance |
Tire Rotation |
show
|
[hide]
Front to back, same side
all wheels balanced
32psi |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.06.03 |
64325 |
Maintenance |
Carbon Clean |
show
|
[hide]
Although my rough-idle issue has apparently improved, I decided to do a few more related maintenance things...
Cleaned Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor and throttle body:
- took off engine cover, battery cover, battery air vent
- unhooked negative terminal from battery
- unplugged MAF and other sensor connectors from air intake hose
- took off the air filter box cover, along with hose and resonator
- took out the MAF sensor from the hose and cleaned with CRC MAF sensor cleaner
- disconnected 2 (vacuum?) hoses and connector from throttle body
- removed 4 screws and throttle body came loose
- cleaned it with CRC throttle body & air intake cleaner (throttle body was pretty black with buildup)
- reassembled
Car restarted fine and idles well right now... will see if the rough idle returns.
If idle issue returns/continues, then will clean the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. See:
http://www.mazda3club.com/showthread.php?t=41077
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94788 |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.06.01 |
64300 |
Maintenance |
Radiator Flush |
show
|
[hide]
** This coolant should last 5yrs/60,000 miles!
[Materials]
- Peak Global Lifetime concentrated coolant (1gal) (only at NAPA) ~$13
- Distilled water (3gal)
[Procedure]
- cool engine
- unscrew radiator drain plug (left lower corner)
- if plug removed, fluid will SHOOT!
- stupid drain poorly designed - spills and splatters
- open coolant tank plug (to allow fluid to drain)
- radiator will drain ~1gal
- once drained, put drain plug back in
- refill tank w/ 1 gal distilled water and close
- turn on car and allow to warm up
- turn on heat on floor on high, for 5-10 mins
- this allows coolant to circulate through heater core
- turn off car, allow to cool, repeat
- after the last gal of water circulates and is drained off, fill tank with coolant
- this should result in about 50-50 mix of coolant and water (1gal coolant filled + 1gal water in system)
- leave cap off, run car
- once warm, blip the throttle a few times
- this should get rid of air bubbles
- close cap
- after driving around for a bit, recheck level and fill with distilled water. |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.06.01 |
64300 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
motocraft 5w-20 ~ 4.3qt
mazda filter #LF05-14-302A
auto-rx 3-4oz (maintenance doze)
Found Royal Purple filter 10-2835 @ PepBoys. It was $15, so I passed on it.
OEM filters are still expensive. Consider Purolator PureOne or Motorcraft FL400S next time. (Note: the 400s is slightly larger, will require more oil) |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.04.06 |
61900 |
Maintenance |
Tire Rotation |
show
|
[hide]
front to back; same side; all wheels balanced |
|
Mazda3 |
2010.02.21 |
60571 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
motocraft 5w-20 ~ 4.3qt
mazda filter #LF05-14-302A
auto-rx 3-4oz (maintenance doze)
try Royal Purple filter 10-2835 @ pep boys next time |
|
Mazda3 |
2009.11.20 |
58160 |
Maintenance |
Oil Change |
show
|
[hide]
motocraft 5w-20 ~ 4qt
purolator L10241 (I couldn't find the right Motorcraft filter in Walmart or AutoZone)
part of AutoRx, step2 |
|
Mazda3 |
2009.10.16 |
55550 |
Miscellaneous |
Sway Bar |
show
|
[hide]
Inspected rear sway bar links. Nothing appears loose. Did not notice stripped bolt threads. |
|
Mazda3 |
2009.10.16 |
55550 |
Maintenance |
Carbon Clean |
show
|
[hide]
Auto-Rx Basic Clean Part#1
Added 12oz of Auto-Rx to oil. |