Re: 2008 Miata - slipping out of 4th gear?

Well I got it back from the dealer after they had it for 3 days and
they could NOT replicate the problem. They took it out every day and
drove it around doing all kinds of things (accelerate, deaccerlerate,
lugging, cruising, etc.) and nothing. They said that other than
opening up the transmission (which they couldn't justify having not
experienced the problem first hand and therefore unable to justify the
"charge" to Mazda for the warranty work) they checked everything else
related to the transmission.

They called Mazda to see if any other Miata's reported a similar
problem and there was no other reference to this issue. He said if it
happens again, document what was happening and call him.

Of course, it happened to me twice this morning driving in to work.
It happened about 7 minutes after starting out so the engine was warm
(about halfway between C and H), going about 40 mph on a flat at
around 3200 rpm. I have been very deliberate about making sure the
gears are in solid. It happened again in a couple of minutes. I have
a stretch of road about 5 miles that I go about 40 mph on the way to
work and this is where it has often happened (of course because I
drive it so often at this speed in this gear). It has also happened
to me on acceleration (at around 4000) but mostly while just cruising.

I'm not much of an engine head so I don't understand a lot of the
lingo, but they said the transmission is all internal and without
being able to duplicate the problem themselves, they can't open the
transmission to check inside because it would take too much labor and
Mazda wouldn't reimburse them for it without justification for doing
the work. I'm not sure how all that works internally, but I would
think if a customer says there's a problem, they should make some
effort to do a serious check into why it's happening. To me, this is
a serious driving hazard.

I searched the web and I could only find one other similar occurrence
in a 2000 Protege - nothing on Miata's. My next step is to setup a
camera in the car while I'm driving to give them visual proof that
it's happening showing the dash and shifting.

Any other ideas? Are they right about the transmission being
"internal" and that they can't open and check it/replace it without
experiencing the problem first hand?

P.S. I took the advice here and opened my baby up a lot more and you
all are right! I'm having so much more fun with it - love the
power!!!! :-)



On Aug 4, 2:26 pm, "Chris D'Agnolo" <cdagn...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
When you get it back don't forget what Chuck said. You're not getting 1/10th
of the fun / performance out of your car shifting at 3000. Put your foot
into it and run it up to 5000 as a regular thing and keep it planted up to /
near redline for the real fun! You won't be able to get the smile off your
face.

Chris
99BBB

"J." <janin...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:a7376fba-5b40-44a4-aa0f-175c324f2f44@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you both.  I have an appointment with the dealer to look at it
next week.  I hope they can verify the problem and fix it.  Good thing
it was caught early and still under warranty.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: The days of the automobile are over
    ... perfectly good vehicle vs the cost of fuel. ... 6 U-joints and a transmission in it in the 15 years I had it. ... The Mazda promises to be a sturdier steed. ...
    (misc.rural)
  • Transmission fluid: To Change or Not to Change
    ... I have a 2000 Mazda Protoge ES, automatic transmission, with only 45K ... I'm not having any transmission problems. ... The first doesn't even own a flush machine and charges ... Mazda doesn't even recommend a transmission fluid change in its ...
    (rec.autos.tech)
  • Re: 21 Low Transom CC almost sinks in 3 ft. waves
    ... voyage, say from where you are along the canal to, say, Stuart? ... Maybe along the way, you'll blow another transmission. ... If your reference was to my Parker fishing boat, Whine, she's just where I parked here, well-protected under the shrinkwrap. ... When I unwrap her in late March or early April, she'll be in perfect shape, clean, lean, and ready for fun. ...
    (rec.boats)
  • Re: A Fugue - 4 Expositions
    ... (VERY ARCANE REFERENCE) ... Langston Hughes ... (The arrival of a new transmission for my Mazda, ...
    (rec.music.classical.guitar)
  • Re: Bug in X86 serial port driver in CE.NET 4.2 ?
    ... Unfortunately the OS finally hung now with our own serial driver, ... happen after enabling interrupts for transmission too.... ... be fun to find... ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsce.platbuilder)