erikd65

Well, first off let me say I do love this car... it looks good and handles great!

First, the engine rumble/noise on a cold start up. Mine does it and I know what to do about it. Its been discussed a LOT here so I won't get into it.

Second, I have a few minor vibrations from some of the trim inside the car. No big deal, I will have them tighten up whatever needs to be tightened up.

Third, When i am in forth gear, it shimmys a little when I an accelerating... Probably normal, but I don't know. Does this happen with everyone else?

Now I need some advice. What are some recommended items/products to use to wash and clean my car? My concern is keeping the paint in excellent condition. Also what to use inside the car for the vinyl Etc. I want to keep this car in the best shape possible.

Well, thats it for now!

EZ as 123

you know what's weird. when I drove my car off the lot, I didn't hear the engine. I was just loving the new car and then I took a long trip and everything was great.Now the car has 1020 miles, but around 800 miles I started hearing the engine (it's pretty loud and noticable) while I'm driving (I'm still driving the same way as when I did at the beginning).

I would think it should be the other way around. At first notice everything and then you don't because you get used to it.

for washing the exterior of the car, do NOT use dishwashing soap. Just use a good brand name car wash soap and a clean sponge/washmitt/terry cloth. Then you should wax the car with a good brand name product that's safe on clearcoats.

turtle wax, meguiars, mother's, are some good brands I can think off the top of my head.

erikd65

Funny, I didn't notice the noise either until about a week ago or so... When I first starting driving it sounded fine (or seemed that way, I may not have taken notice).

kosmicride

Anything on the store shelf is fine to wash your car. You do not need to buy a special soap *MAZDA Lather up* lol. You can use any *except with abrasives* Dawn is fine and you can now even have a nice scented wash lol
All wax's are safe over clear coats.

fuse

Actually, I believe it is fairly well documented that dishwashing liquid soap will strip the wax off your car. So, unless you plan to wax your car every time you wash, the advice not to use dishwashing soap is (pardon the pun) spot on.

silver_p5_owner

I really like Meguire's #26 wax. Goes on easy, doesn't dry "white" and seems to last a pretty long time. Most dishwashing soaps will remove (or thin) your wax coat. Most of the car wash soaps are no more expensive than dishwashing stuff and are more friendly to your wax. About the trim rattles, you'll be chasing after these forever. It's a well built car but some of the trim and it's fastening devices are a little on the cheap side. Also the front windows have a tendancy to rattle when they are down a small amount. Nothing that turning the stereo up wont cure. Enjoy that new car!

Mazda Lather Up! LOL! Only 15 bucks at your nearest dealer!

silver_p5_owner

LOL ! Yeah there's a lot of that around here. All the new paint formulas suck. Lets go back to the days of real paint, Laquer! 5 to 6 color coats and 10 coats of clear. Hmm... I guess that would probably double the cost of the car tho', wouldn't it?

kosmicride

I have been in the Autobody and Paint Field for about 8yrs and still continue to use dawn mild on all cars that I have painted. Body shops use the same shiat, how about wax & greese remover are you going to tell me that you have to use a actual wax and greese remover made by PPG etc? Try rubbing alcohol

Its all bullshit until you show me where these documented stories are. besides from meguirs site or others similar

UCSBgeek

I have heard that a product called "Vinylex" is good for Vinyl (duh ), and not to use Armor-All.

sage11x

Um... No. I agree with THE MAN. Dish soap is no good. But no matter who you believe, how cheap are you. Non-abrasive foaming car wash is very inexpensive. I think I bought a gal. of Meguirs (spelling?) for about $2. I mean, come on.
(By the way Mequirs 3-step is brilliant- I only have used the polish once though, usually only use the wax.)
Also. All waxes are not safe over clear coats- there are plenty of polishing waxes out there- see above. And they state that right on the labels. Use a polishing wax, or abrasive wax carefully- preferably by hand.

Duh, And don't forget to use carnuba wax to protect your finish. I'm an idiot.

eltonr

I wash my car with baby shampoo it's cheaper then car wash detergent...and it's very mind on the paint......i have always used it and i have to admit my old 86 626 looked better then most people's new car's cause the paint was in such good shape.....of course every year i would use the Meguier's cleaner/wax that almost made a huge difference.....i'm trying some new Meguier's interior spray for my vinyl and plastic and so far i like it.....but i would never use armour all on my car maybe the tires but that's it......

eltonr

yeah if car wash stuff is that cheap i'll probably switch one of these days.......but i know it was really overpriced not too long ago.....i had read in an car article many years ago that they recommended using baby shampoo and since then, that's all I use..........but you have a point at that price i might as well use something that is formulated for my car.

mnkyboy

What a dumbass. *THINK* Dawn is great on dishes because it cuts grease and grime. Wax has some of the same properties of grease, therefore it will cut your wax on your car.
*THINK* *THINK* *THINK*

sage11x

Question for TheMAN. How often do you wax your car, and what other steps do you do when waxing. I'll be honest- I'm only used to waxing twice a year. Guess I use good wax.

silver_p5_owner

My minimum regiment is every late Fall (before the snow flies) and early Spring. I wash the car by hand really well. Use paint cleaning clay to remove the crap washing didn't. That stuff is amazing. A light orbital buff with 3m's "finesse it" (a swirl remover) to blend in any small scratches, then two coats of Meguire's # 26 wax, also applied with the orbital. Takes about 3 to 4 hours twice a year.

This lasts a good long time if washed without detergents. If I'm pressed for time and need to go through a car wash I can see that after about two times the beading up has stopped, a good sign that most of the wax coat is gone. Once this happens I'll wax again the next time I hand wash.

BTW... Armor All protectant sucks but their cleaner is amazing.