u/munta15

I recently bought a 2018 CX-5 with 97,000 km and I'm a first-time driver, so I'm still getting familiar with basic car maintenance.

The oil change was done recently. The brake pads are currently around 6 mm / 7 mm, and one of the calipers was replaced recently as well.

I'm trying to make sure I take good care of the car going forward. I know some of the basics like checking/filling windshield washer fluid, but I'm still learning about things like transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, filters, battery, etc.

For those who own/owned a 2017–2020 CX-5:

- What maintenance should I be doing regularly at ~100k km?

- What fluids should I actually be checking/changing, and at what intervals?

- Is transmission fluid something I should proactively change, or leave alone?

Anything specific to the 2018 CX-5 that I should keep an eye on?

Are there any common issues that tend to come up around 100k–150k km?

What should I learn to check myself vs. have a mechanic/dealer handle?

Thanks!

Is the Express Entry option detailed in the new workforce priority stream different than what it was previously for PNP? If so, how?

I assume it still starts with the employer submitting a job offer, then I create an OINP profile and have an active EE application to link? Is this better than the International Student Stream?

Been dealing with excessive underarm sweating for a while and looking for something that works. Drysol isn't covered by my insurance, and Certain Dri seems to be discontinued in Canada.

Any recommendations for good alternatives?

I've been pretty inconsistent with topical minoxidil for the past year, but I've been taking 1.25 mg finasteride every other day. I checked my crown recently and it's significantly worse.

Topical min gives me mild itching, it's annoying to apply and wash out, and I end up getting lazy.

Has anyone switched from topical to oral minoxidil for similar reasons? Did you go through another shedding phase after switching?

Also, where are people in Canada getting oral minoxidil? Essential Clinic would cost me about $45/month, which seems expensive.

Hi everyone, I got a 2018 Mazda CX-5 f4om a non-Mazda dealer yesterday and I’m having an issue with the electronic parking brake (EPB).

When I pull up the parking brake switch:

- I can hear/feel the rear parking brake motors engaging

- The vehicle seems to be held by the parking brake

- The parking brake button light and brake warning lights start flashing

- Orange P on dashboard

I tried:

- Holding the EPB switch up for a few seconds

- Releasing and reapplying with the brake pedal pressed

- EPB maintenance mode/reset procedure

No luck.

The brake seems mechanically engaged, but the car does not recognize it as fully engaged.

Has anyone experienced this on a 2018 CX-5? Could this be a low battery issue, EPB calibration issue, brake switch sensor, or does it require scanning the ABS/EPB module for codes?

Thanks!

I'm looking for a reliable used car and my original choices were a 2016–2018 Mazda3 or Honda Civic because I care about reliability, fuel economy, and low maintenance costs.

I was recently offered a 2018 Kia Sportage LX AWD and I'm wondering if it's actually a good deal or if I should stay with my original plan.

Details:

\- 2018 Kia Sportage AWD (LX)

\- 67,000 km

\- $14,500 CAD

\- One owner

\- Clean history (assuming CARFAX checks out)

My driving:

\- Regular commuting

\- Occasional longer trips (ex: Ottawa–Toronto)

\- Around 20,000 km/year

The Sportage seems appealing because:

\- AWD for Canadian winters

\- More space and easier passenger/cargo use

\- SUV seating position

\- Low mileage for the year

My concerns:

\- Worse fuel economy than a Civic/Mazda3

\- Kia reliability compared to Honda/Mazda

\- Higher maintenance/repair costs long term

\- Resale value

For comparison, I was originally looking at:

\- 2016–2018 Honda Civic

\- 2016–2018 Mazda3

Would you take the Sportage at this price, or stick with a Civic/Mazda3 and save on fuel/ownership costs?

Anything specific I should check on a 2018 Sportage before buying?

I'm looking for a reliable used car and my original choices were a 2016–2018 Mazda3 or Honda Civic because I care about reliability, fuel economy, and low maintenance costs.

I was recently offered a 2018 Kia Sportage LX AWD and I'm wondering if it's actually a good deal or if I should stay with my original plan.

Details:

- 2018 Kia Sportage AWD (LX)

- 67,000 km

- $14,500 CAD

- One owner

- Clean history (assuming CARFAX checks out)

My driving:

- Regular commuting

- Occasional longer trips (ex: Ottawa–Toronto)

- Around 20,000 km/year

The Sportage seems appealing because:

- AWD for Canadian winters

- More space and easier passenger/cargo use

- SUV seating position

- Low mileage for the year

My concerns:

- Worse fuel economy than a Civic/Mazda3

- Kia reliability compared to Honda/Mazda

- Higher maintenance/repair costs long term

- Resale value

For comparison, I was originally looking at:

- 2016–2018 Honda Civic

- 2016–2018 Mazda3

Would you take the Sportage at this price, or stick with a Civic/Mazda3 and save on fuel/ownership costs?

Anything specific I should check on a 2018 Sportage before buying?

Hey everyone, I’m a new driver looking to buy my first car and I’m trying to stay around $15–17k.

I originally narrowed it down to a Mazda3 or Honda Civic because I’ve heard they’re reliable, low maintenance, good on gas, and should last a long time. I’m not really picky about features — I mostly just want something dependable that won’t constantly need repairs.

The problem is Marketplace has been pretty rough lately (lots of sketchy listings), and most of the Mazda3s I’m finding are from dealerships. After reading through a bunch of posts on this sub about bad dealership experiences, especially with Dilawri, I’m a bit hesitant. It seems like a lot of the Mazda dealers around Ottawa are connected to them.

For those who have bought recently:

- Are there any used car dealers in Ottawa/Gatineau you actually trust?

- Any places I should avoid?

- Is it worth expanding beyond Mazda3/Civic (Corolla, Elantra, Forte, etc.)?

- Any advice for a first-time buyer who doesn’t know much about cars?

I’m planning to get a pre-purchase inspection regardless, but I’d appreciate recommendations on where to look and what models I should consider.