Want to know why your Mazda 3 or Mazda CX-5 feels sluggish even though you just filled up with premium gas? It’s not your imagination, and it’s probably not a failing fuel pump either.
The real culprit is something most Mazda owners never even look at. A $15 maintenance step that takes 10 minutes but brings your Skyactiv engine back to life like you just drove it off the lot.
In this video, I’m showing you 8 simple maintenance procedures that reverse years of neglect and make your Mazda engine run like new. No dealer visit required, no special tools, just straightforward steps anyone can do in their driveway.
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01. Clean Your Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor (00:46)
02. Clean Your Throttle Body (02:13)
03. Address Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (03:25)
04. Service Your PCV Valve (05:19)
05. Replace Spark Plugs at 60,000 Miles (96,560 km) (06:45)
06. Change Your Oil Every 5,000 Miles (8,046 km) (08:22)
07. Replace Your Engine Air Filter (09:44)
08. Service Your Cooling System (11:03)
Every 25000 miles have your valves cleaned($150) at a shop. Just make sure it isn't just put in the fuel, since direct injection often misses some of the valves. If done every 25k, then you won't need a tear down to really clean the valves at 75k. 200 miles before an oil change put in fuel injector cleaner in the gas. Also use 5w-30 oil instead of 0w-20. Your car will be very slightly less fuel efficient, but your engine will last a lot longer.
I just want to be sincerely honest with since I discovered u videos my life got better I have super modified cx5 outside and inside mods I can’t name them all but anyways thanks for u hard work and dedication I bought it when I was 17 and worked hard to pay it off 2018 touring runs like a spartan
oh a 'dirty' filter definitely does clean better. If its not restricting flow, its not going to be adding issues. There are videos on this by companies that sell filters; they wouldn't tell you to buy their product less and make less money if it wasn't about protecting your engine from more contaminants. This is also why oil filters used to get changed every other oil change.
I would do much more research about those recommendations.
Shell V-Power premium has the highest detergents out of any other fuel (Exxon Mobil highest 87 detergents), Restore and Protect oil, Techron, clean PCV, MAF, good plugs … all smart to do.
But don't lie about air filters; its a literal fact. Don't do CAI or K&N as well. Just the factory filter. If you live on a dusty farm and are constantly taking in dust, then sure; but average drivers, not so much.
At least you weren't pushing catch cans.
Watch The Motor Oil Geek; Lake Speed Jr for more oil related understanding; and he also covers fuel and filters; because automotive is his passion.
Very good video, except for the cleaning of the MAF (like others noted). You said to spray the MAF cleaner on a towel and I believe you would do that and wipe the throttle body and valve with the towel right? Control the application of the cleaner?
Interesting you mention replacing spark plugs at 60K…my 2018 with a 2.5 turbo recomnends 40K!
You could say the same about most other engines
If you really Love your car…you will get a SETRAB HYPERFLOW reusable bullet filter and change every three.
You will do the MAF/TB/ and CRC GDI cleaning every 15K
Good tips !
Last thing I'll do is follow "advice" from some random youtube channel that's purely AI generated content.
Per Motor oil Geek and air filter engineers, air filters work best after they collect some particles. So dont replace a filterthat is not plugged up, the fine particles do not restrict flow but do help trap finer material. According to their tests, filters do better filtering without decreased airflow after they collect particles.
NEVER EVER use 0w20 oil!!!!!! Use 5w30 in any weather conditions! that way your engine will last forever as long as you change it every 5k miles
Surprised you didn’t mention the trans
My Mazda only 65,000 original kilometers seems to have a slight vibration only noticed at stop lights mostly, I did a engine check with the scanner but nothing showed up, possibly it could be Map Sensor but it seems like this shouldn't be so dirty however I am thinking that it could be a lack of hiway driving. I put a little bit of mystery marvel oil in the tank but it didn't remove the little vibration. Not really sure what's the issue is. Bringing in it going to get scammed for sure. Only noticed at the light but runs very well on hiway..
Just had my 2025 cx-50 turbo serviced, dealer said to change oil every 3000 miles due to heat for turbo. I had 4000 on mine so don't know if it needs to be changed that often.
F the EPA and don’t use 0w20. Use 5w30 oil. It’s in the manual and will save you tons of engine wear over time. 0w20 only saves you .5 miles per gallon to meet emissions at the cost of higher engine wear.
Use your own voice my guy not AI
Why buy the mazda if you have to do all this
Why does DIY replacement of PCV cost $150-$200 if PCV costs $25 and intake manifold gaskets cost $10 ea. from
Mazda? Where do you get your high DIY cost? What haven’t you mentioned here?
Mazda 3, $24,000 new, sky active, great marks by consumer reports, quit running at 60,000 miles. Dealership said it had so many codes they wanted to call headquarters. I took it home, removed the intake, carefully cleaned the carbon from the intake valves. It ran fine after that. Should have been a class action law suit against sky active crap. Who wants something so unreliable. Very very disappointed with consumer reports. Why does it not have a catch can.
I'm learning all this kind of stuff because I just got a great quality '95 protege with just 140k miles and I want this car to last me a long time
Here’s what I do and I’ve never had to spend a single cent on repairs.
1. I buy a brand new Mazda with a 5yr warranty.
2. Every 15,000km, I drive it to the dealership, drop it off and they give me a loan car for the day.
3. At the end of the day, I take their loan car back and pick up mine
4. I tell them if I notice anything of concern and they fix it
5. After 5yrs, I give them my old Mazda and start again from step 1
I have Mazda 6 2.2 Diesel and will replace it with some other car but no Mazda. To many problems with Engine
What kind of engine are you talking here, aspirated or turboengine?