Questions about used 2000 Protege
 

First of all, one thing I haven't yet figured out is why the side of our car says "LX" but when we check the VIN it says it's an ES? Anyone know why that is?

Second, we have noticed in the last few weeks that the transmission (automatic) has been feelling a little jerky. I drive about 45 k each way to work, about half on city streets, the other half on the highway. I notice that when it is about to change gears, around 2000 rpm, it gets "slow" and rough. That usually happens a lot between 0 and 60 km/h (I'm in Canada). Then, it's fine until about 100 km/h when it gets a little rough again, and runs at about 3000 rpm.

COuld it be the cold weather we have been starting to get? We got it used in September with only 78K on it. It was pleasure driven only, we had it checked by a mechanic who said it was fine. It needs new tires, would that make it feel jerky? We got complete service records and the car has been well kept.

Also, we took it in last week for it's 80K check (at about 82K) at the dealership and they said there was a coolant leak. I kinda doubt them a little as they changed that fluid, maybe they spilled it? There have been no leaks on my parking spot at home or work indicating a leak, the level of fluid isn't going down either.

Any ideas? This is my first car, and the cars I grew up with were all 15 years or older, so I really don't know much about new cars (I can fix anything on an 85 chev, but I'm clueless here).

Also, the random button the the CD player stopped working. Any easy fix for that?

Welcome to the forum.
I really don't think the tires would have anything to do with your problem.
Did your mechanic check the tranny fluid? I'd start there...but you'll probably get other, better suggestions from the more mechanically inclined members.
As for the model designation, I think the Canadian ES is the US LX and the Canadian ES-GT is the US ES.

thanks.

The transmission fluid was changed last weekend, and the jerkyness started before that. I was hoping the fluid change would help, and it did for a few days where it seemed a little better, then now it's just getting worse again.

coolant leak
 

Radiators are problematic on the 00-01 proteges for sure and covered under a TSB and since your just over waranty, complain and get them to replace your radiator for FREE. Been there done that. Mine is a 01 pro and co-workers is 00 pro. Both have been replaced under waranty. Yours should too. Just say that if its leaking, then it was probably leaking way before this and has been identified as a problematic part. Could save you some coin and my new radiator has not leaked in last 80000km and still going strong. :)

I dont know about the protege AT. But I do know that when a AT in a MX-3 starts jerking and shifting hard its on its way out. Mostly due to overheating of the trans fluid. The MX-3 AT has got to be the worst automatic mazda has ever produced.