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stevenma188
10-10-2009, 04:06 PM
I was reading through the owners manual today, and noticed that for the North American schedule, replacing the fuel filter is not listed, but for non-North American schedule, it is listed.

I was wondering, should I replace the fuel filter on my car? Where and how do I do so?

My car has 169xxxKM on it. I just got it recently. What other maintenance should I do?
dentinger
10-10-2009, 04:09 PM
i beleive fuel filter is every 80,000.

power steering fluid should be checked, check to coolant, make sure its good to -30 or so, check the belts for cracking, etc etc.

im sure others will chime in.
Flagrum_3
10-10-2009, 05:39 PM
Does not need changing, as it's in the fuel tank along with a strainer.

So don't worry about it. :)


_3
Zoom Zoom Boy
10-10-2009, 09:55 PM
Does not need changing, as it's in the fuel tank along with a strainer.

So don't worry about it. :)


_3

+1
stevenma188
10-12-2009, 09:49 PM
So far all I've done was an oil change, as well as tires. Anything else I should do in terms of maintenance?
mido
10-12-2009, 10:07 PM
Mazdas are known to be rough on tranny fluid. I had mine flushed and refilled with mobil 1 synthetic and it made a significant difference. I have 59000 KM or 36000 Miles and my fluid was Black! Its suppost to be red.
TheMAN
10-13-2009, 06:39 AM
you can't change the fuel filter.. its part of the fuel pump assembly

fuel filters are only externally located on non-USDM/non-JDM 3s
TheMAN
10-13-2009, 06:40 AM
Mazdas are known to be rough on tranny fluid. I had mine flushed and refilled with mobil 1 synthetic and it made a significant difference. I have 59000 KM or 36000 Miles and my fluid was Black! Its suppost to be red.
you're surprised its black? the fluid isn't supposed to last more than 30000 miles
CanSpeed 3
10-13-2009, 09:43 PM
If you want to test your fuel filter.. use cruise control on the highway, set it at 100km/h or so and listen and watch your speed/rmp tach. If you notice any decrease as your car hits the hill then its likely about time to get it changed.

Best way to test it imo.
TheMAN
10-13-2009, 09:51 PM
that's not a real test

and as stated in this thread already, you can't replace the fuel filter!
stevenma188
10-13-2009, 10:03 PM
...and i won't be able to test it like that because I don't have cruise on my car...
TheMAN
10-13-2009, 10:06 PM
doesn't matter anyway... it's the most absurd kind of "test" I have ever heard... it's snake oil!
stevenma188
10-13-2009, 10:09 PM
Actually now that I think about it, im pretty sure my parents 09 Camry 4Cyl would downshift on big hills. Hopefully this doesn't mean it needs a new filter, as its pretty much brand new.
CanSpeed 3
10-14-2009, 12:48 AM
that's not a real test

and as stated in this thread already, you can't replace the fuel filter!

No its not a 'real' test, but it give you a good idea, or indication.
If you can come up with a cheaper way to test a fuel filter thats inside the tank, let me know. But if the filter is also attached to the pump and not replaceable then its pointless to even worry. Drop some fuel system cleaner in your tank and keep driving.:bowdown
TheMAN
10-14-2009, 02:49 AM
Actually now that I think about it, im pretty sure my parents 09 Camry 4Cyl would downshift on big hills. Hopefully this doesn't mean it needs a new filter, as its pretty much brand new.
any car will downshift on a big hill... it's called ENGINE LOAD
in otherwords, it is no indicative way to determine fuel filter effectiveness... not only that, there's many other variables involved, such as wind and tire resistance, ambient temperatures, weight of car, etc

fuel pressure MAYBE reduced when a fuel filter gets clogged... but at that point, the fuel pump will be so weak, it may just quit anyway... also, fuel pressure is internally regulated by the pump so it will ALWAYS try to maintain pressure... so even a fuel pressure gauge isn't a sure bet but it sure is hell of a lot better than the "hill test"

so low fuel pressure or dying fuel pump will just cause the CEL to come on as the engine is running lean... worse case scenario is the car won't run at all or will hesitate at higher rpms



you know the best thing to do? just make sure you put good gas in at a name brand station that has lots of traffic... and just keep on driving will the pump dies! probably by then, your car will be rusted through (and you have long sold it) anyway... so who cares


happy motoring!