How dirty is your car's air filter? It may be affecting more than you think...

When was the last time you changed the air filter in your Mazda? Driving through rush hour traffic on the interstate or a dusty back road, the environment you drive in will affect the cleanliness of your air filter. The more dirt and debris that accumulates on your air filter will reduce air flow in your air conditioner which is a critical performance failure during the summer heat.

This is the average filter after 9,500 on the road. Day and night difference, huh?

Replacing your old air filter with the Mazda Cabin Air Filter will allow cool air flow that will trap allergens like dust, mold and pollens. You are guaranteed fresher, cleaner and healthier air. Mazda recommends that you have your air filter checked by a Certified Mazda Specialist every 12,000 miles or year, whichever comes first. For more about Mazda Cabin Air Filters and more, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com.

How Your Tires Can Diagnose A Mechanical Problem

Don’t be a victim of a tire blowout on the highway. Knowing the condition of your tires is a key piece of info that lets you know if you are in for a safe drive. Mazda recommends drivers to inspect their tires at least once a month to help monitor wear and tear. A quick glance next time you stop to pump gas is all it really takes to inspect your tires. There are varying factors that can attribute to the wear and tear of your tires and knowing the patterns can help diagnose an issue with your tires or a mechanical problem with your vehicle.

What is your tire telling you? The wear and tear patterns on your tires can help you determine if you  have a mechanical problem or if you just simply need to put more air in them.

For more about tires on your Mazda and more, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. Mazda Experts are available in person to help you at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL.

Drive Smart, Stop Safe: Brakes Designed With You In Mind

Wet icy roads or a last minute merge in front of you causes you to slam your foot on the brakes. Are your brakes going to stop you in time? Knowing the quality of your brake pads and shoes should be near the top of your list when it comes to the safety factor of your vehicle. Using aftermarket brakes may not be the best option for your vehicle as is the case with Mazda.

Genuine Mazda brake pads and shoes are designed with Mazda vehicles in mind ensuring that they are the highest quality brakes available for your Mazda. Aftermarket brakes carry a few varying risks, one of them being stopping distance.

Mazda Genuine brake pads are the benchmark at 100%. Aftermarket "B" takes 55%
longer distance to stop than Mazda Genuine pads at 60 MPH. Information based on an independent study performed for Mazda Motor Corporation in February 2004.

If you would like to learn more about Genuine Mazda Parts or Value Products by Mazda, please visit SportMazdaOrlando.com or you can always stop by and meet the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL.

When Do I Need To Replace My Mazda's Brake Pads?

Depending where you live, traffic sometimes has you tapping on the breaks from point A to point B. Knowing when your brake pads are worn and need to be replaced will save Mazda owners serious money on costly repairs to poorly maintained components.  There are several signs that begin to show when your brake pads need to be replaced/repaired that we have provided below:

• Hearing a squealing or grinding noise while braking
• Poor effectiveness when pressing the brake pedal
• Longer stopping distances
• Pulling to one side when braking

If your Mazda is currently experiencing any of the factors above, your brakes need to be checked.  Take your Mazda to your local Mazda dealership to have a Mazda Certified Service Technician perform a diagnostic. During a normal routine full service visit, your Mazda Certified Service Technician will provide a copy of a Full Circle Service Report Card which will give a detail rundown of your vehicles current status with various components. One of these components is a brake report and will look like the example below.

The Full Circle Service Report Card includes the status of your brakes, tires, battery and more.

To schedule a service appointment with a Master Mazda Certified Service Technician, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com. The Mazda Experts at Don Mealey’s Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL will be able to help your Mazda needs and concerns.

One of The Many Ways A Mazda Expert Can Help You

The information shared on this blog is provided by the Mazda Experts at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL just 1 mile north of the Florida Mall. Mazda owners in the Central Florida area can speak to our Mazda Experts in person where they will do everything they can to make sure you have a great experience. Here is what one of our customers recently said about us on DealerRater:

"This was my second trip to Sport Mazda for service on my car and I wasn't disappointed. Even though they were obviously swamped with customers Brian made sure to take his time talking to me. He also worked with me to make sure the quote I received last time I was at Mazda was the price on the invoice. Not many people would do that. It shows how much Sport Mazda actually cares for their customers, not just their bottom line." - danieldansby on 9/2/2012

Located at 6239 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, FL, the Mazda Experts at Sport Mazda are set on making your visit a satisfying experience by taking care of any questions and concerns. Visit SportMazdaOrlando.com to see how a Mazda Expert can help you today or to schedule a service appointment with a Mazda Certified Service Expert.

Sirius XM Trial Expired In Your Mazda? Here's How To Continue Enjoying Your Satellite Radio

Many Mazdas come equipped with satellite radio functionality with SiriusXM. When you purchase a new Mazda, you get a free trial of SiriusXM satellite radio for you to enjoy at your convenience. When the trial expires and you decide to upgrade to a paid subscription, it only takes a few simple steps to activate a new subscription plan. The following steps will help you activate your new subscription on your satellite radio:

1. Have your radio ID ready. To find it, tune your satellite radio to channel 0 where it will then display your radio ID.
2. Set your satellite radio to channel 1 and request a signal by either calling 1-866-635-8634 and following the instructions or visit the SiriusXM website.

If your trial has run out, you will need to set up a new subscription. You can visit the SiriusXM website where all you will need is your radio ID, as described in step 1, or your Mazda's VIN and your zip code. It's just that simple to get set up with a continuing subscription plan after your trial ends. To learn more about Mazdas, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com or meet our Mazda Experts in person at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando, FL.

What exactly does "Skyactiv" mean?

Synergy is a word that is a combination of synchronized and energy which means working together towards a goal that is not independently obtainable. Mazda owners may think of a different word when it comes to synergy, Skyactiv. Mazda's Skyactiv technology is a blanket term for the next-generation of vehicular innovations being developed today by Mazda. When it comes to the engine, transmission, chassis, and body, these components have been designed to work together in a synchronous state offering drivers an ideal ride. Keeping the environment, energy consumption, economics, and performance in mind, Mazda created the name Skyactiv to reflect Mazda's desire to achieve progress in those factors. To learn more about Mazda Skyactiv techonology and how to test drive a Skyactiv Mazda 3 or CX-5, visit SportMazdaOrlando.com or meet our Mazda Experts in person at Don Mealey's Sport Mazda in Orlando,FL.