Our Fleet Test Drive Review: Mazda CX-7 - 9th Report
Date:
01 December 2010
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Author: Tristan Young
Towed away
I managed to lose fourth gear on the CX-7 the other evening, causing me to worry that it might be the start of a bigger problem.
A call the next morning to my helpful local Mazda dealer TW White & Sons confirmed that it was best not to drive the car, and they recommended I call Mazda Assistance, run by RAC, and get the car recovered to them.
RAC, however, said the car was driveable and that they wouldn't recover it. They'd only come out if I broke down on the way to the dealer.
After putting the phone down, I realised that if I was then involved in an accident, it would be my fault. So I called RAC back and pointed out the health and safety implications. Firmly. Eventually they agreed to send out an engineer to assess the car before a tow could be authorised.
Late the following morning TW White's staff called to say the CX-7 was fixed and the problem was due to the gearbox oil level being too high. In turn, the higher hydraulic pressure had caused a spring and coupling to seize and stop fourth gear working.
Given the gearbox oil hadn't been touched since it left the factory, this was a little surprising. But I'm now mobile again and appreciating fourth gear all the more.
Mazda CX-7 2.2 diesel 5dr manual | Mileage | 8521 | Claimed combined consumption | 37.7mpg | Our average consumption | 34.7mpg | P11D price | £26,515 | Model price range | £26,515 | CO2 (tax) | 199g/km (31%) | BIK 20/40% per month | £136/£273 | Service interval | 12,500mls | Insurance | group 32 | Warranty | 3yrs/unltd mls | Boot space (min/max) | 455/1348 litres | Engine size/power | 2184cc/173hp | Top speed/0-62mph | 124mph/11.3secs | Why we’re running it | Revised CX-7 now (only) has a diesel variant | Positive | Refinement, interior space, dealer service | Negative | A-pillar size, gearbox problem |
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