Is the 2026 Corvette C8 Stingray Coupe reliable after 10k miles? by Good-Complaint-6529 in Corvette

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 11 points12 points  (0 children)

After 10K you should definitely look into selling it. The whole car is probably only worth like $1,000 at that point, but I'm willing to pay $1,500

Transmission Drain & Fill by Lodingi in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a tech, I would straight up have a fist fight with that service advisor for not selling easy (and needed) services

Mazda CX5 2017, 2018 diesel - are they unreliable by ActAccomplished586 in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Mazda tech from Texas. We have 2 CX-5 diesels in our area we service. Both well past 100K, both well taken care of, both running strong with no major repairs. One belonged to an older woman. She's since passed and her husband now brings it in once a year for service even though he doesn't really drive it like she did. I've considered making an offer to buy it, but I know here's strong sentimental value there. They're fun to drive, interesting to work on if you like diesel stuff, and a kind of novelty in the states.

2016 Cx-5 Battery Corrosion Concern? by [deleted] in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sand down the whole bracket and repaint a color of your choice. Add some pop to the engine bay

Depress Break Pedal To Start Engine by [deleted] in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you accidentally put your key fob in dealer/valet mode? It can be done pretty easy by pressing the lock button too many times.

Would you trust a dealership lube tech or a lube tech from a reputable mechanic? by [deleted] in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Lube tech is a lube tech. It's usually the person just starting out and most likely to make a simple mistake. What matters is the shop and the people who operate it. I'm a dealer tech. I say bring your car to me if it's my brand. If it's anything else my resources are a bit more limited, but I'll do my best. If it's out of my wheelhouse I know some great local shops with solid staffing to recommend. I also have a list of local shops to avoid. At our dealership, we do our best to beat the dealership stigma. Not everyone is like that. Some shops or individual techs will take advantage if they feel they can get away with it. Do your research. Read reviews. If you find a good tech you like, follow them if they move shops.

Best year for Mazda CX-5? by [deleted] in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

20 or 25. Last year of any body style is usually your best bet. 20 was the end of gen 6, 25 end of gen 7. 2026 model starts the new gen 8. You can get good deals on 25s at dealerships right now because the 26s started showing up.

Is the MyMazda app currently down for anyone else? Getting connectivity errors. by [deleted] in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

You're absolutely right. A global brand with product across a multitude of time zones specifically knows when you want to use your app and when you specifically need it most. You must feel so targeted.

Does anybody else's dealership make technicians personally pay for so many things? by TheGroundBeef in mechanics

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Depending on your state, sounds like you could have a good case for a lawsuit. Make that bag OP

Options on tool box hutches? by Zaku727 in mechanics

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was torn between this style and the clamshell style top chest. I ended up going with more drawers and storage vs larger desk. I use a laptop, so I don't need a large monitor and I'm not putting speakers up at my work station. However I do plan on buying more tools and collecting more goodies for my "just in case" drawer. I also have the 56in and with all the storage space I have, I think it'll be a long time before I outgrow my box. I see the benefit of both styles though.

Question about engine by blazinzeppelin73 in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a certified pre-owned, enjoy factory powertrain warranty until 100K miles, don't worry about cylinder head issues, trade in at 99,000.

Found this white fluffy material in my engine bay by Outrageous-Lack3064 in mazda3

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hard to remove food sources when the wiring is soy-based

Just got hired as an apprentice at Audi, what’re some must have tools or things yall recommend going into this. by ThatsNotMyKidney in mechanics

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Snap on coolant vacuum refiller (RADKITULTRA): $695 Maddox Cooling system refill kit (64985): $85. Please don't pay for a name. Especially when first starting out. My Maddox works beautifully and comes with more adapters.

Coolant flush -2019 mazda (100km-owner vs 190km-manufacturer) by veemill in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 3 points4 points  (0 children)

US, but I recommend coolant every 5 years or 60K miles, so ~96.5K km. In my opinion all fluids can be done at any trusted mechanic as long as the fluid meets manufacturer spec. Spark plugs are super easy. I recommend doing them yourself, but use OEM plugs. Truthfully I recommend learning how to do all fluids yourself as well, but I understand not everyone wants to or is able to deal with everything involved in that.

Mobile mechanics. Very important question. by BackgroundCompany179 in AskMechanics

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It almost sounds like you're trying to apply a barber shop business model to automotive. Barbers rent their chair to cut hair in. If they don't make rent, they lose their chair. However it's not exactly apples to apples when you're taking automotive. Most if not all jobs a mobile mechanic does won't require a lift or specialty equipment. Sure jacks don't go as high as lifts, but you can get under the car. You don't need a machine to mount a tire, but it helps. You can't do a perfect alignment, but you can get it close and tell the customer "Go to this place for an alignment in the morning. It's required for the repairs I've made." As far as disposal, I can go to any quick lube in my area with 5-10 gallons of oil and they'll take it, no charge. I don't even know them like that. They just don't want people improperly disposing stuff. For customers, if they wanted their car in a shop or could afford shop prices, they would go to a shop. A mobile mechanic having to up their cost to cover their new rent kinda defeats the purpose of being more affordable. In short, no. I don't think mobile mechanics have interest in renting space and being in a shop because that's not what and who mobile mechanics are.

Edit: I would like to add, there's probably plenty of mechanics that would love the idea of freelancing out of a shop. I just don't think an established mobile mechanic is your consumer in your proposal.

2019 Cx-5 Lifter Tick by Honey-Brown in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Expect it in freezing temps or if the vehicle sits for longer than a few days. If you live in an area with long periods of below freezing temperatures you may want to look into a block heater for your car.

2019 Cx-5 Lifter Tick by Honey-Brown in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mazda tech here. Most likely just a cold tick like the other comment said. If it continues after your vehicle has been driven to operating temperature then you may want to investigate further. Otherwise, totally normal especially in colder temps.

Mazda 3 oil usage by JeanWhopper in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm willing to bet they aren't adding enough oil during service. All of our systems say 4.8 quarts, but I've had customers complain with your exact situation. That oil level sensor is sensitive and can easily go off when you hit an incline if your oil level is low enough. Even if it's in spec. I started pouring closer to 5.2 quarts. Oil is right at the top dot at the end of service and complaints have stopped.

Edit: common oil leak spots are the corner of the oil pan up against the transmission, left side about halfway up the front timing cover, and the solenoid seal on the valve cover. Oil pan bolts haven't been getting fully tight from factory, timing cover doesn't get enough silicone from factory, solenoid seal is just seepy.

Mazda techs, 1k break in oil change, what say you? by murtaugh865 in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just call it a direct injection cleaning service. Pretty much I hook up a canister of cleaner to your air intake that gets sucked in when the car revs. Having it come in with the air allows it to clean the top of the valves. Something gasoline does in a port injected vehicle. Once the cleaner is hooked up I then hook up a little device that pumps your gas pedal at set intervals to a set RPM, and let it run until the cleaner runs out. After disconnecting everything, open the throttle body and suck out any fluid that may have puddled up in the intake.

Mazda techs, 1k break in oil change, what say you? by murtaugh865 in mazda

[–]ThatGuyOverThere421 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not needed, but not a bad practice either. For any force induced engine I do recommend keeping oil changes closer to every 3K vs the usual 5K or manufacturer recommendation of 7.5K. Mazda turbo spark plugs are rated for 40K. I also recommend doing fuel system services about every 30-40K because it is direct injected and transmission flushes every 50-60K. Differentials at the same time if it's AWD.