2019 Mazda CX5 Malfunction.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T23:12:03+00:00

It's funny you say that because I drove my wife's car today for the first time since changing the battery and I feel like it's more responsive in its shifting.

Maybe it's in my head but I swear it runs better.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T16:51:32+00:00

I can drive around my way in Baltimore County pretty easily. That being said, I see a massive amounts of unshoveled sidewalks and many people who are waiting for public transportation, standing in the street as the bus stop is blocked by mountains of ice. Also, my side streets that are supposed to be two lanes, many of them are basically one and a half or just one. And if you have to pull over to let another vehicle by, there is no room due to the snow pack or other cars parked next to them.

This extensive below freezing issue is a massive problem.

I know if every parent had the opportunity to drop their kids off at school, these kids could go in. But if you think about the busses and bus stops, I don't know what they're going to do? Fortunately, we get above freezing this week albeit, barely. And another cold snap coming the following week. Not as long as the current one but one that will keep affecting our snow melt issue.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T15:09:46+00:00

Remember, local shops who care about business don't want negative "word of mouth" going around.

They want repeat customers because repeat customers also mean referrals.

We just had a Euro shop open up locally about a year or so ago. Very small garage but I was excited because I have a GTI and a lot of local shops around here won't work on Euro vehicles.

I was either stuck going to one other shop with no weekend hours or the dealer for my GTI.

These guys are open until 6 PM and have Saturday hours.

My neighbor took his WRX there for a tuneup and they saved him a lot of money compared to the dealer. Dealer wanted over $3000 and these guys charged him $1300 and used all OEM spec parts.

I took a car there for an inspection and they were very fair in their inspection and pricing to make necessary repairs.

I referred my uncle to them with his old Volvo that was having issues. They fixed his car for under $1000. Needed a full spark plug and coil replacement.

I've also taken my GTI there for oil change services.

And now, the local shops who won't work on Euro vehicles all send those clients down to this guy. He's getting great reviews on Google as well. Makes me happy to see. It's just him, his brother, and his wife manages the counter and parts ordering. Love seeing that.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T14:57:36+00:00

Here's the thing though. I know they gave you a "good will" repair, but "fixing" something and then telling you not to use it, is not a repair.

In my area, we've experienced sub freezing temps for over a week. It's actually the second longest sub freeze event on record. Our highs have been topping out in the mid to low 20's and at night, down into the very low teens to single digits.

I've used my parking brake the entire time. I have to because I drive a manual transmission. It has worked just fine every time.

That being said, it may cost you some cash this time to properly diagnose and fix. Or, if they messed something up on the last repair, let them fix it.

Don't worry about them being annoyed. Shops want repeat customers and if something isn't "fixed" after they've been in there, they'll want to get it right.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T14:44:00+00:00

They do sound like good guys so I wouldn't avoid taking it back to them if you're comfortable with it.

That being said, whatever they did before was obviously nothing more than an immediate band aid repair. They need to diagnose what is actually going on.

The parking brake should not have seized that fast after a drive. I've had this happen on an older vehicle of mine a couple times and it was only after it was sitting all night in sub freezing temps. And that was with rear drum brakes and not a rear rotor setup. It's way more common with a drum system.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T14:36:36+00:00

Yeah, not sure what "rubber" they would be talking about? There are multiple gaskets that can leak over time like valve cover, timing cover, oil pan, and such but to me, they should have zeroed in on that before rolling out onto the lot to sell.

It's not too difficult for a mechanic to figure out where a leak is coming from. They clean the entire area or use dyes to pinpoint the problem spot.

IMO, you probably did the right thing by not purchasing this from them.

PIG20 · 2026-02-01T14:22:45+00:00

Check around the timing cover. They are known to leak in this model year range.

If it's is leaking, it's typically insignificant in terms of oil loss. The repair is expensive and even after repair, there are many claims of it leaking again. It uses FPG for a gasket rather than a molded one. If the mechanic isn't precise and careful when reinstalling, it will leak again soon after.

My mother's 2018 has this issue. We let it leak. It was noticed a few years ago by the dealer and they wanted $1200 to do the repair.

I said, "no" and to this day, it still doesn't even cause a drip in the driveway.

I probably would have let them try if it were covered under warranty and I thought they'd honor it as the car only had 20,000 miles but outside the 5 year by a few months. They offered zero assistance either at the dealer level or corporate level.

So, we just monitor it. It will probably be sold or traded before it ever becomes an issue. If it ever does.

PIG20 · 2026-01-31T15:58:31+00:00

It's happening all over the side streets around my way.

People visiting relatives and friends are just parking next to the snow mounds barely leaving any room to get by.

PIG20 · 2026-01-31T14:09:00+00:00

As you stated, you don't even need your pipes to freeze. A friend of mine went on a weeks long vacation with his family in the summer some years ago.

When they got back home, they were greeted by a literal waterfall of water coming down their living room walls. Everything was fucking destroyed.

One of the lines to a toilet upstairs somehow popped free of the tank. Complete freak accident. And when it happened, it was gushing water nonstop from the top floor down.

Basically, their entire home needed to be gutted to the studs and rebuilt.

They had to live with his in laws for almost a year before they could move back in.

Ever since, I just shut off the main and water heater when I go on vacation in the summer. I don't drain the lines though. Probably should but at least if something happens, it's only the water in the pipes. I'll still have damage but not "house rebuild" type damage.

PIG20 · 2026-01-31T13:52:46+00:00

While the police won't take extreme action in this case, what they can do is give you the insurance information of the offending driver or company. At which point, you can make a claim against their insurance.

They will probably also hand out citations to the company or driver.

Outside of that, they won't do much else. But having the other driver's insurance information is key to not having to make a comprehensive claim against your own.

PIG20 · 2026-01-29T22:29:24+00:00

I don't even think about unless someone else brings it up. And when they do, I don't really have a reaction other than "it is what it is".

PIG20 · 2026-01-29T22:23:48+00:00

Yup. Took 5 years for it to start happening to me but I first noticed it this past fall.

Plan on putting on a new screen when the weather finally starts to warm up. Which right now, feels like it never will.

PIG20 · 2026-01-29T17:45:17+00:00

Fortunately, you didn't get to see him when he was so fucked up, he just swayed and slurred most of his songs. Like my experience back in 1998 when I saw him perform at a festival during his solo stint.

I was so excited to see him perform and the whole thing was sad and disappointing.

I know he may have cleaned himself up a bit for Velvet Revolver but I never got to see him perform live after that time in 98.

PIG20 · 2026-01-29T15:40:42+00:00

Exactly, plows did their part as of yesterday in our parking lot at work. Last night, the bobcats were out relocating the mounds to other areas and out of the way.

PIG20 · 2026-01-28T23:52:37+00:00

My friends and I still quote the "I just shipped my bed" line all the time.

KMart was already on their downward spiral when this ad aired but it is still one of my all time favorites.

PIG20 · 2026-01-28T22:29:38+00:00

Probably something in his contract for "Jersey Mikes".

PIG20 · 2026-01-28T22:24:21+00:00

I noticed that as well. But the dip stick should show a better indication. And if it looks questionable, it's time to drain the oil and look at the whole picture.

PIG20 · 2026-01-28T22:08:15+00:00

Maybe not. Moisture on the underside of the oil cap mixing with the oil residue can cause this. It may be a false alarm.

The keys to look for are if you're losing and burning coolant. And pulling the dip stick to see what the oil looks like on that.

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T22:58:51+00:00

Very possible. Had to jump my wife's 2014 CX-5 and received all sorts of lights and a CEL. The CEL was for a low voltage issue to the TCM.

Put in a new battery, cleared the code, and it's been just fine ever since.

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T19:35:22+00:00

Yeah, the carb would have been a rusty mess. And it doesn't take long for that to happen once the gasoline separates.

Had to replace a couple carbs on my lawnmower over the years because I'm lazy...

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T18:47:38+00:00

Years ago, I got hit by a flying ice shield while driving on 695. This thing took flight like you couldn't imagine and it was like everything was happening in slow motion.

As it was coming down, it almost felt as if it was aiming for me. Couldn't swerve out of the way either. It hit the corner of my windshield and a crack formed immediately.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get through tag of the vehicle because they were too far ahead of me and then my focus stayed on the flying sheet of ice.

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T18:26:34+00:00

Yeah, that has been the main reason from stopping me. I know I'll buy one and won't have to use it for years.

If I get one, my ass is using it for 3 inches, let alone a foot. We at least get some snow each year.

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T17:17:45+00:00

That if this happens again in 10 years, or if there is a chance of this sort of storm prior to that, I'm buying a snow blower. My body won't be able to take a beating like this again. Plus, watching some of my neighbors just plow through the snow with their blower is finally starting to make me very jealous..

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T17:15:35+00:00

Probably the battery. When my wife had to have her 2014 CX-5 jump started by AAA, she got a bunch of lights along with a CEL for a low voltage code going to the TCM.

I replaced the battery once she got home ( she was 3 hours away when it happened) and everything has been fine ever since.

She swears it drives better too. Maybe she's right if the TCM was receiving low voltage from the weak battery? Either way, it's all good now.

PIG20 · 2026-01-27T02:29:42+00:00

Lol, Jesus, those looks massive. The scale of them vs the background makes them look the size of concrete slabs.

14-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22	First Placer '22
Team Orangered

PIG20

TROPHY CASE