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#1978 of 4469 by javadoc May 28, 2002 (1:27 pm)
That would be the "Ploody" option on the MPV. Comes with a surfboard rack.   /j
#1979 of 4469 Loose Valence by excalibur1993 May 28, 2002 (5:47 pm)
Just bought a new 2002 MPV ES. Van is great all around. Only one annoying thing though...   There is a plastic "valence" under the steering wheel thats about 12" X 12" that is removeable. It has "come loose" about 10 times in one week. I keep snapping it back in place. Come back later and it is loose again. I don't want to super glue this thing in place but its such a minor problem I hate to drag it to the dealer.   Any similar experiences / solutions?
#1980 of 4469 excalibur1993 RE:Loose Valence by mazda_guy May 29, 2002 (7:09 am)
Excalibur, I am not sure what piece are you talking about. I don't see anything 12"x12" under the steering wheel. Nevertheless, if it is coming loose you should tell a dealer while you changing oil. It should be no big deal to fix it.   MB
#1981 of 4469 Excalibur & Java by bob57 May 29, 2002 (9:21 pm)
I see the item Excalibur is talking about - it's the cover directly under the steering column held on by clips - I think it's clips by feel only - didn't want to crawl under and spill my martini... Yes - take it to the dealer.   JAVA: ah...you makin' fun of us Texas boys again? Gonna send you a bayou catfish so you know what a real fish looks like...maybe one of them gators in the backyard - as soon as I find my hound dog....
#1982 of 4469 MPV Problem: Flashing O/D and jerky transmission by excalibur1993 May 30, 2002 (2:05 pm)
Excalibur Again:   Got an excuse to get my loose valence fixed now. Got call from hell from 9 month pregnant wife at noon today. Pulled out of grocery store and O/D light is flashing and transmission is jerking her around. She pulled over and had van towed to dealer.   I remember reading about this somewhere on some board. Has anyone had any similar experiences and what was wrong, etc.   Van is 2002 MPV ES still on first tank of gas - about 250 miles   thanks,   Excalibur
#1983 of 4469 Yikes! by maltb May 30, 2002 (2:07 pm)
Keep us posted Ex.
#1984 of 4469 I feel for you Excal, by javadoc May 30, 2002 (2:28 pm)
Hopefully it's just a rare glitch Exe. Smart woman, not driving it when it's jerking about like that. And, really not what she's wanting to deal with when she's so far along, eh?   Someone did post here or 'the other' message board w/in the past couple of weeks, but I thought they solved their problem by making sure they were being precise w/their gear selector position. I could be wrong... but somewhere to start nonetheless. Hopefully, the computer keeps the codes from the transmission's messages, that would be additionally helpful.   BWT, if your d.w's still steaming when your lawn's mowed, mine could use a trim.   /j
#1985 of 4469 Wheel size vs. handling by d2bah May 31, 2002 (2:29 am)
From time to time I have read comments that say something to the effect, "I drove an MPV with 16" wheels and it rides much better than the 15" wheels."   QUESTIONS: (1) I am also told that the total diameter of the mounted tire with 15", 16" and 17" wheels is the same--the difference to accomplish this being in the height of the tire wall from the wheel rim out to the tread. If this is true. . .              (2) Why would it ride better on what is essentially less air?, and. . .              (3) Would the 16" or 17" wheels have any effect on "handling"? The steering (handling) of my 2002 LX is VERY sensitive, and unless you pay close attention it sometimes (especially in gusty winds) seems to "wander" a bit. Tho I love it dearly, for some reason it does not seem to track with the flawless stability of my 94 Olds Ciera wagon. Would 16" or 17" wheels have any appreciable effect on this, or is the car's handling just the sensitive nature of the Mazda steering mechanism? Solid factual advice on this, anyone????
#1986 of 4469 Tracking by tboner1965 May 31, 2002 (2:59 am)
It's probably more a function of the tires, your tire pressure, and your alignment.   Some tires seem to find every crack and crevice in the road and try to follow it.   You do mention wind, your van has a lot more surface area than the Olds wagon, so it is more sensitive to the wind.   First, check your tire pressure with a really good gauge, not the $2 ones at Walmart. You can get a fairly decent one for around $10, if you don't already have one. Use it every Saturday when you check out your vehicle for lights working and such. 8^) Of course, check them cold. That's why Saturday morning is a good time. Unless you work the night shift, the adjust accordingly.   Check your air pressure and make sure they are the same as specified on the door/manual for the vehicle.   If that's all good, then drive the van. If you notice it darting a particular way, check the road surface. Does the road have a crown in it that slopes one way. If there are other lanes, do they have a crown that goes the other direction? If so, drive over there (when safe) and see if the behavior is the same or changes.   What direction is the wind? Is it a cross wind, partially a crosswind, you should get the idea.   The drive back on the same road in the other direction. If it is a wind issue, any pull should be in the other direction.   I've not noticed our MPV to wander, but it is very sensitive to the wind.   Oh, trucks and overpasses may create little "Low Pressure Zones" where you seem to get sucked in before you are blown back.   If none of this explains it, then see your dealer and tell him what you've already tried.   HTH   TB
#1987 of 4469 Oh and on the 15 vs 17 Q by tboner1965 May 31, 2002 (3:07 am)
Of course, better ride is subjective. My Grandmother who loves her Mercury Grand Marquis would just love the 15" tires with the pillow like ride (relative to the 17" tire.)   A 17" wheel means a shorter sidewall. This means better steering response, most likely more road feel and such. The downside is the ride will be more harsh. (Some people don't like road feel. I don't understand those people 8^) )   And of course, you've hit upon one of the most important characteristics of your tires, the air they hold. It is the air pressure in your tires that support the weight of your van. In an ideal world with 50/50 weight and a loaded van weighing 4000#, each corner supports rougly 1000#. If you have 40 PSI in your tires (for nice round numbers) you then have about a 25 square inch contact patch at each tire. Or about 100 square inches total.   But it is the pressure, not the volume of air that supports the vehicle.   What typically happens is the shape of that contact patch changes. People with the 17" wheel may have a wider tire, so the patch is wider, but is shorter from front to back. This also improves cornering and braking, but drops fuel economy and may hydroplane easier. It also reduces traction on snow.   HTH   TB

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