Category: Mazda3

New Paint for the Family Car

That'll buff right out.

A parking lot crash led to a full respray of Blue Car, my 2008 Mazda3 hatch. Two weeks of work condensed into one blog post.

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Mazda 3 Cabin Filter Change

One OEM cabin filter, ready to be hidden somewhere under a dashboard.

Mazda designed the cabin filter in a first gen Mazda 3 so well that it requires 1300 words and 19 photos to show how to replace. Come on in and see the insanity for yourself.

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Mazda3 Manual Transmission Fluid Change

4 fresh quarts of MT-90.

Time for another installment of Mazda3 maintenance! This time it’s the manual transmission fluid and the differential fluid. They are one in the same. Mazda calls this a “lifetime fluid” and never calls for it to be changed out. In my humble opinion, that’s not good. Nor is it right. So here’s how you change it.

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Mazda3 2.3l Oil Change

Jack up car - install jack stand

Oil change time! Yup. Very exciting. But I’m always surprised when I encounter a “car guy” who doesn’t change his own oil. It’s such an enjoyable little ritual. Hit the jump for a full Mazda3 oil change guide. Cartridge filter and everything!

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Beep – Star Panorama

Just a single shot of Beep (my Mazda3) out on a dirt road under the stars. Well, it’s SIX shots of Beep all stitched together. Check it out.

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Drive-In Magic

Drive-in movies still exist. I have proof! Photos!!! If you can call digital pix “proof” of anything that is…. anyway, check out my small report on taking a Mazda3 to a drive-in.

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Mazda3 oil change torque specs

When I change Beep’s oil again, I’m sure I’m gonna want these. Drain plug torque: 22-30 ft/lbs filter housing torque: 22 ft/lbs 6mm filter drain: 7.6 ft/lbs Each one of these seems to be on a separate page, hidden on the intarwebs. NO LONGER! Now they’re all in one place. For me.

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