Seeking Solutions for 2015 Mazda CX5 Diesel Overloaded DPF, Black Exhaust Smoke, and Power Loss Issues

Hey! I had a very similar issue with my 2013 Mazda CX3 Diesel, just a tad bit older than yours. I'd say I've got some experience with cars, nothing too professional though, more like a dedicated weekend car-warrior. When the same thing happened to my car, it turned out the Diesel particles were defective due to high mileage. I took my ride to a trusted local workshop, and the guys there were able to diagnose the issue swiftly. They ended up replacing the Diesel particulate filter, which sorted out the problem. The damage for my wallet was a solid 1550€. Not cheap, but well worth it to have the car running smoothly again without belching black smoke! You mentioned your car's a 2015 Mazda CX5 Diesel, but could you share some more details like mileage and service history? Might be able to give you more specific advice then. Cheers!

Hi there, Thanks for the quick response, really appreciate the insight! My Mazda's been chugging along for about 259035 KM. Last had a full service at 250,000 KM, which included an oil change and general check-up. Everything seemed to be in order back then, but the issue has started up in the last couple of months. The price tag you mentioned sounds a bit steep, but if it's a necessary fix then I guess I've gotta bite the bullet. Just hoping it won't be something more serious. I'll definitely take my girl to a workshop for a thorough evaluation. Thanks again!

Hey! Cheers for the extra info! With that mileage, I reckon your hunch about the Diesel Particulate Filter might be spot on. These blokes can usually go for around 150,000 KM but it really depends on the type of driving you do. If you've been doing lots of short trips or city driving, the DPF doesn't get hot enough to burn off the soot particles. Thus, it gets blocked up quicker. That's probably why your DPF isn't regenerating properly, leading to the lacklustre performance and black smoke. The repair cost, though steep, is fairly typical for a DPF replacement. You can hunt around for better quotes, but make sure to go to a reputable workshop - the last thing you want is a dodgy job that'll cost more to fix later. Before you commit though, I'd recommend asking the workshop to run a diagnostic test. Just to confirm it's the DPF and not something else like the turbocharger or fuel injectors. In the meantime, take her easy on the road. Avoid hard acceleration if you can and get her checked out as soon as possible. Good luck and let me know how it pans out! Cheers!

G'day, You've been incredibly helpful cheers! Your advice about getting a diagnostic test feels like the right approach. I'll ask the workshop to do that before deciding on the DPF replacement. And, of course, I'll be sure to pick a reputable place for the job. The last thing I need is more headaches. I'll also heed your advice and take it easy with her on the road until the checkup. I'll let you know how it goes after the visit. Fingers crossed it's just the DPF and nothing more serious! Thanks again for all your guidance. It's been an absolute lifesaver! Cheers!