More Great Miata Tips from Suzie! (2024)

Suzie Miller

Join Date: May 2003

Location: Washington Township, Ohio

Posts: 446

In March of the coming year, my 1999 Silver Sports Package will be 7 years old! My how time flies! I don't drive much, so my little beauty has a bit more than 52,000 miles. I expect to own the car for at least 10 years. I had my last vehicle for over 14 years, but it was a Toyota.

I carefully maintain my car using Mobil 1 10W30 in the engine, Mobil 75W90 GL 5 gear oil in the differential, and MT-90 in the transmission. Recently I had to replace the oil in all three, so I have some hot tips for you!

I'm using the new style Miata oil filter, and the little bugger has some special problems. First it's smaller than the one it replaces. The original used a G-sized cap filter wrench while I haven't been able to find one that fits the new filter! There is a smaller size than the G (I'm not sure of the letter), but it doesn't fit properly. It does fit well enough that tapping it down over the filter with a small hammer or wrench secures it well enough to remove it.

You'll notice that the instructions say tighten the filter one and 1/16 turns, but one can't do it without a filter wrench. I used a glove that has a friction grip and tightened it down as tight as I could get it by hand.

Changing the oil in the transmission and differential is a pretty easy job except for one item - the pump used to transfer the oil from the jug to transmission or rear member. I have used the Valvoline pump, but it isn't very well designed. First it doesn't move much oil with each stroke of the plunger. Next the extension hose that allows the pump to reach deeper in the bottle fits inside the pump body. Over time, the tubing will shrink and fall out. Finally you have to use your hand to keep the fill nozzle in the hole of your target.

I have found the perfect pump that can be used over and over again. It's made by CRC (Sta-Lube) part number SL4344 sold at Advanced Auto Parts for $5.98. It moves one oz of fluid with each pump, the extension tube fits over the pump body ensuring it will stay on tightly, and it has a clip on the nozzle that will hold it in the fill hole freeing your hand. However it won't fit on a quart jug of gear oil. It does fit on a standard one gallon jug which I find more useful. MT-90 comes in a quart bottle with a small neck. With the Valvoline pump, I have to transfer it to a gear oil jug, and I have to do it twice. Now I can just dump two quarts in a gallon jug and be done with it.

One problem with this pump is the extension hose doesn't reach to the bottom of the jug. You can get a longer one at Lowes, Home Depot, or Menards. Another solution is to dump a quart into the jug and mark its level on the container. Dump another two quarts in and pump to the quart mark. Incidentally I measured the amount of drain from both the differential and transmission. Respectively they were a bit less than one and two quarts. Happy pumping!

I have been guilty of not changing the washers on the drain (or fill oil plug of the differential) plugs. This time I did them all! Incidentally the transmission and rear member use the same size washers, and Mazda sell them for a buck a piece. For the thrifty (or cheap) among you, its ID (inside diameter) is 11/16". The engine's is 9/16".

I have some information about the proper brake lubricant for the caliper sliders and to prevent squeal (used between the pads and anti-squeal shims). With the OEM front brake pads, Mazda supplies a little packet of lubricant that will take care of both of these items. Otherwise, Advanced Auto sells a little packet of brake lubricant that will take care of the caliper slides and all other contact point for a buck. You'll find it hanging on a rack at the check out counter.

Are you tired of your radar detector cycling on and off due to the power cord socket coming loose in the cigarette liter? One cure is to hardwire it into the dome lite, but my alarm use that circuit for the door pin triggers. If I did wire it in, it would throw a code on my alarm. What I did was use one of the cigarette liter plug off of my $50 Campbell Hausfeld air compressor power cord. You'll find it coiled up and stored in one of the hatches on the unit. It works great, because the plugs have greater spring tension than what come with most radar detectors.

The '99 Sports Package has a rock hard suspension due to the Bilstein shocks. Even after 50K miles, they haven't softened up a bit. With the 15" wheels and a hard ride, you should check your tire pressure once a month. I find I lose one to two pounds.

In closing, a couple of months back I offered an Indy Mazda store 10K and my car for a new Mazdaspeed. For me, it was a joke, but the dealer came back with 15K and my car. With a little more negotiating they came down to 12K. I wouldn't offer more, and they wouldn't take less ending the bargaining. The point is that a well cared for '99 still commands a premium dollar in the used car market.

Ciao,

Suzie