For parts in the service booklet that state to replace every XXXX km (timing belt, spark plugs), should they be converted to months of service instead when mileage is really low?

Just got my Iriz serviced, the service center ask me to prepare for timing belt change on my next service in Jan 2022 as it will be 5 years since I bought my car (Jan '17).

My mileage right now is only 28k. According to service booklet it's every 120k for timing belt change. Even if assuming that mileage should be converted to months of service, 120k should be equivalent to 6 years instead of 5 years right?

Should I change my timing belt during my next service? Anything else I should be aware of during timing belt change? Timing belt change will also include FEAD/auxiliary belt change right?

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll get it replaced but during my Jan '23 (6 years) service instead of Jan '22 as 5 years I think is still too soon considering my low mileage.




I wanted to double check because as you can see in the photos, the spark plugs only state every 30,000km unlike the engine oil where it specifically states km or months, whichever comes first.

Same goes for the timing/FEAD belts where it only states every XXX km. It's not using the months/mileage chart format like what the engine coolant is using which makes it clear it should be replaced based on whichever comes first.

That's why I'm unsure as to whether these items should also follow time duration interval as the way they're stated is different from the others.


Oh yes, definitely will get them replaced as I know how catastrophic a broken timing belt can be, just wanted to make sure that I'm not being ask to replace the timing belt ahead of schedule. Cos we all know how the service centres like to push us into making unnecessary services. Like this round of service, he was trying to get me to do servicing for air-con which I refused.

First time went to Senaxis just now, chose it due to good review. My manual gearbox transmission oil was due for replacement. They charge me 3 units of "Manual Gear Oil FLX" at RM69.62/unit = RM 208.86.

However, later I checked on Proton's website and found it's supposed to be RM139.26 only (meaning 2 units). Did they just charge me unnecessary extra 1 unit?

Could it be the extra 1 unit is to cover the labour charge for transmission oil? Though it'd be weird as it should be under labour charges. Only changed transmission oil and normal engine oil. The labour charge was RM80 for this and labelled as "major service". I'm asking cos I'm not sure what the labour charge should actually be for this. Thanks.

My Iriz (1.3 CVT 2015 model) encountering this issue where the ESC light suddenly comes on while driving and totally lose acceleration power. Tekan minyak but engine no response. Need to restart engine then everything back to normal.

Went to Senaxis service center for checking, they didn't manage to fully check today (too many customers) so they ask me to go back again. But currently they suspect is issue with gearbox. Roughly what they said is when I go back they will:

1. Check gearbox condition by looking for metal shavings/dust in the gearbox and see condition of gearbox oil
2. If gearbox issue, they will need to do oil levelling and clutch adaptation.
3. If the clutch adaptation does not work, then GG cos the process will cause my car to totally not moveable and will need to change gearbox. Around RM10k for new ori gearbox, RM5k for recon.

Point 3 is the thing that concerns me. I googled and saw that clutch adaptation is apparently a basic process that is supposed to be done everytime there's a change of gearbox oil. But according to them it sounds like some major risky process that can totally destroy my gearbox.

I'm planning of going to another service center for a second opinion to make sure I'm not being played.

Anyone has any advise or encounter similar issue before? Thanks in advance.

Yeah, that's what I understood as well after googling. That's why I felt weird from the way they said it, that if clutch adaptation does not work, then your car cannot move d and need to total replace the gearbox.

My mileage is not that high though, 57k only. But it might have something to do with my car hitting a speed bump kinda hard as problem started after that incident.

But thanks for confirming that this is a common issue, was afraid it was the workshop trying to pull a fast one on me. I guess I'll go back to the same service center again for them to further check and see what's the problem. Or do you think it's better to straight send to the place you did rm4k belt replacement (Summer Auto Transmission) for them to check there?

Hi, sorry I didn't see your post. But I saw in another thread that you've settled it by overhauling the gearbox.

Just to update my situation so that it helps anyone else who might also be encountering the same issue.

Yes, it's gearbox issue that's apparently very common for Iriz and Persona CVT. Seems like inevitably every CVT Iriz will encounter this issue? Because basically it's wear and tear of the belting and parts inside the CVT transmission gearbox. My friend's Iriz also encountered this issue.

I also got mine overhauled; for RM4.5k including labour and transmission fluid with 1 year warranty from Summer Auto Transmission. Took a total of 11 days.

This post has been edited by rabbit.dynamite: Aug 26 2025, 07:05 AM

My big question now is; are all cars with CVTs fated to have their gearbox replaced/overhauled? I'm not a car enthusiast so I may be missing something.

Seems like many cars are using CVTs but from what I understand, CVT will be prone to wear and tear and eventually need to overhaul gearbox.

It doesn't make sense to me that the majority of cars nowadays are sold with the expectation that the consumer will have to spend thousands to overhaul their gearbox after a few years.

Yeah, mine also follow recommended gearbox oil change, never skip. Mileage wasn't that high, only 57k km. Used 8 years, then kena this issue.

It just leaves me feeling like this is all one big scam by the automobile industry. Sell you a car where after a number of years, you need to replace your gearbox. Bought the car for around RM45k. If replace original gearbox RM10k, that's 20% of your car value right there. Even if overhaul around RM4k, that's still 10%.

My mum's car is Honda City 2018 model. Also CVT. This leaves me wondering now how long before her gearbox also need to go for repair.

I was going through the options when this happened to me. Had just finished paying off the loan, plan to drive the car until it kiamat and enjoy life without car loan.

If sell off and can get RM15k for it, then minus overhaul cost means only get around RM10k. New Myvi cost RM50k. Instead of car loan free, end up stuck with new RM40k car loan. How la to escape from loan life if like that?

So end up no choice fork out RM4k for the repairs. Fortunately no issue 1 and half year later (touch wood).

inb4 buy 2nd hand car la. Not very knowledgeable with cars, so buying 2nd hand car for me is another whole new set of challenges. Scared kena chop upfront, end up buy never ending problematic car, etc.


My City is not hybrid version, so it should be CVT.

No symptoms before it happened. But at the moment it happens, one of the lights (don't remember which one) will appear on the dashboard and will stay there until restart engine.

If the rest of the car is still OK, go find a reputable gearbox specialist for overhaul when your gearbox breaks down. If all goes well, then it should last you for a good while more.

Or you can sell off for around rm10k and get saddled with a new car loan xD