Problems 1 week later
 

Hey guys I just bought a 2003 Protege 5,
I have noticed a couple of things. I have chips on my rear whhels, possibly from rocks, and sand, has anyone got a solution, + I have alot of chips in my windshield, any idea (besides don't drive behind trucks) what I can do to stop this from happening.

Thanks

Ro

Try a bug deflector.. that might stop some windsheild chips.....

it also looks good on the proteges i have seen them on (have one myself)

Hey by the way, Im in Edmonton too.... so i know how shitty the streets are with the rocks and stuff because of the sand they use on the streets... so even though you dont want to hear it, the best solutin IS to stay away from behind cars... especially Whitemud and Yellowhead where most trucks like to go 6000km/hr. Jarman Mazda has nice hood deflectors for the P5 and others... give them a try.

Have fun w/ your Pro!

For the wheels try a decent polymer type polish to "build up" a clear protection for the paint on the wheels. I never really considered that the wheels were actually painted silver until I noticed a lot of chips on them. Try Liquid Glass from Pep Boys or any detail store. Put a couple of coats on and you won't get any chips. You will notice the dings in the clear coating but they won't penetrate enough to damage the paint if you put enough coats on...

By the way, thats EXACTLY one reason why I bought winter tires + steelies... i sont care how my car looks with the steelies (but some say it looks like a baby tank), at least i know i am keeping my wheels in good condition and away from chips... i unfortuantely have a couple chips even from the summer.... not too please with the wheel paint if you ask me.... going to give them a good waxing before i pu them back on this summer.

Oh yah, i also noticed that those 'all season' dunlops are garbage in the snow and ice. Those two reasons sold me winter tires. Best few hundred i spen on the car.

Dunlops
 

Actually I find that the tires are not bad, I used to drive a Maxima, Now that car sucked on snow and ice! The Protege seems to be alot like my wifes 02 Civic SI Except a little more nimble, because of the lower suspension

Dunlops
 

DUNLOPS ARE TRASH IN THE RAIN


just thought i would add that

Dunlops are trash?
 

What should I use instead, keep in mind, where I live we get very liitle Rain.