I saw a thread on here a couple of weeks ago about air filters so I thought I would have a look at mine. My 2.0L Sport Tech was serviced at a Mazda main dealer about 500 miles ago, so I expected it to be fairly clean, though I have no experience of how much grime was likely.
It was full of dirt and so I replaced it. I have just been for a 50 mile drive and wow - what a difference. There was no change in performance before and after the service, so I’m pretty sure the filter was ignored. As they also overfilled the engine oil, I won’t be going back there again, but will do the servicing myself.
While I don’t drive like I stole it, I was a little surprised at the lack of power previously and hadn’t expected to struggle quite so much going up Porlock hill a few weeks ago. Now - bring it on!
PS I just replaced the standard Mazda filter like for like. Is there any sense in putting my eco hat on and trying to vacuum the gunge out and reuse the old filter or will that just tear it to shreds and / or leave enough behind that it isn’t worth the effort? I assume that as it is paper it can’t be washed.
Sometimes service centres don’t see the need in changing the air filters at every service. Can’t remember the service schedule for this re Mazda, its in the manual anyway, I think.
My daily didn’t have it’s air filter changed each service and TBH it looked ok as I checked it.
If your car was noticeably better after a filter change then how long has it been left without a change me thinks?
These filters are cheap enough, you can’t vacuum all the muck from them, replace.
The large visible bits of dirt, insects etc aren’t what block the air filter. Its the invisible microscopic particles that block the filter. These cannot be removed by vacuum cleaners and the only answer is a new filter. Well worth the small expense to keep your treasured MX5 in tip-top condition.
You need to check whether they charged you for a new one. It should be itemised under “materials/parts” on your bill. If you know they didn’t replace it and they charged you for it then it’s fraud!
There wasn’t a separate charge for one, but as this is my first personal car after 40 years of company cars, I didn’t know whether it would be itemised or part of the cost of the service.
