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Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair

4991 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2013 at 9:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Hatchback, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 325 of 500

#3239 of 4991 Auto-Climate Control is the Answer to the Weak A/C by ex_tdier

May 07, 2006 (5:00 pm)

Lol. Sure, whatever. As if we (the Mazda owners) will ever get Mazda to admit to anything.
 
Trying to find out why the manual A/C is inadequate is an exercise in futility...now that we know that the everywhere else in the world the Mazda3's had climate control going back to the production years of 2004 and have had no complaints. So, no. I dont think Mazda North America changed anything, they only neglected to add the auto climate control in Mazda3's until recently and only in 06's GT's in the USA.
 
Basic common sense tells us that are car with interior A/C sensor(s) will have more of a constant temperature than one without. Even an inferior system can be made to work well as long as the sensors tell the PCM to keep running the compressor. And this is the problem, if you havent figured it out by now.
 
I can now move on knowing that auto-climate control is the answer and always has been. However, I do wonder why those dumb ass's at Mazda North America didnt want the auto climate in their Mazda3s and people like us are suffering as a result.
 
All I care about it is how can I get auto climate in my Mazda3 installed and working because believe it or not, Mazda has left us to dry on this one.
 
If you want to become knowlegable on how auto climate control works, I suggest visiting that A/C forum link I previously posted.

#3240 of 4991 Re: Auto-Climate Control is the Answer to the Weak A/C [ex_tdier] by vonnyvonce

May 07, 2006 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: ex_tdier (May 07, 2006 5:00 pm)
Doubt the auto climate control has anything to do with any perceived improvement. The inside sensors tell the climate control system when to add or not add a bit of heat to keep the car inside temperature where you want it. You do the same thing with a manual climate control with the temperature knob.
 
This should have nothing to do with how long the ac compressor works. My understanding is the ac system compressor comes on until a certain temp is achieved then the compressor cycles off until a high limit temp is reached and this cycle continues. If you add heat to the air coming into the car has nothing to do with this cycling. These high and low temps are monitored inside the ac system itself not in the interior of the car per se.

#3241 of 4991 The Bottom Line: Mazda3 A/C w/ Climate Control Works... by slate1

May 08, 2006 (6:25 am)

I think the whole point ex_tdier is trying to make is that the Mazda3 equipped with Automatic Climate Control works and works well.
 
I can attest to this - as I've stated here before, we've had several 90°F+ days here in balmy South Carolina and the automatic A/C in my '06 3GT has had no problem quickly cooling off the car. Even after it has sat with its black leather interior baking in the sun for four hours.
 
If you search on other forums, you'll find others too with automatic A/C in their '06 3's that are getting satisfactory results.
 
The bottom line is - it works. We could spend 100 postings speculating as to why this is - but it will still be speculation. As for those with sub-par systems, I feel for you - I'm miserable in the summer heat and it's a pity that Mazda hasn't satisfactorily addressed the problem in your cars.
 
They do have a solution however - the proof is in these '06's with auto-A/C that work exceptionally well.

#3242 of 4991 GT Trip Computer MPG off... by slate1

May 08, 2006 (6:31 am)

I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that the MPG reading on the GT's trip computer is consistently about 1-1.5MPG low.
 
Maybe I'm expecting too much from it - not sure at all how it's calculating it. All I know is that every time I check it against my calculations it's about 1-1.5MPG low.
 
For example - last night the trip computer was showing 21.9MPG. When I filled up - I calculated it at 23.2MPG based on my mileage and the amount of fuel I put in. It's read consistently low like this since purchase 2200 miles ago.
 
Incidentaly - this was all city driving with lots of stop and go... hence the 23.2 MPG - I got around 33MPG on a longer highway trip recently.

#3243 of 4991 Re: The Bottom Line: Mazda3 A/C w/ Climate Control Works... [slate1] by vonnyvonce

May 08, 2006 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: slate1 (May 08, 2006 6:25 am)
I think an accurate reason about why it works or does not work better is important. Only that way can it be decided how the sub par systems may be fixed.
 
Antedoctal evidence about how well any one system (automatic climate control or not) works is just that. Only a side by side comparision yields anything. Just like in medicine.
 
Love to see someone measure some air temps in both versions and give us something we can hang our hat on.

#3244 of 4991 Ambient temp setting celius to fahrenheit by lizzysun

May 08, 2006 (5:45 pm)

I can't remember how to change my ambient temp setting back to fahrenheit. Took in for stereo work and now it is set on celsius. I have done this one time in past--I know it is something about pressing media and power(while power is on) for 5 secs. I did this-turned car off and restarted but still celsius setting. Tried several times. Help!!

#3245 of 4991 The Bottom Line: Mazda3 A/C w/ Climate Control Works... [slate1] by vonnyvo by z71bill

May 09, 2006 (6:22 am)

I agree - there is no basis to conclude that the auto climate control fixed the weak AC -
 
Since not all 2006 Mazda3's have auto climate control - are the cars with manual control still having AC issues?
 
Has anyone with an auto climate control experienced poor AC performance?
 
(Again) - Anyone with auto control experience a big drop in the cooling performance if they switch their AC over to manual control (set AC to max cooling)?

#3246 of 4991 Re: The Bottom Line: Mazda3 A/C w/ Climate Control Works... [vonnyvonce] by nifty56

May 09, 2006 (6:51 am)

Replying to: vonnyvonce (May 08, 2006 5:23 pm)
I think the point here is with Climate control how often does the conpressor stay on to keep the cabin cool if it is really hot. With mine, 05, no mater the temp the compressor cycles 10 to 12 seconds on than about 1 minute off. With climate control does it cycle on more than 12 seconds at any one time. Can the compressor stay on for 30sec, 45 sec., or as long as 1 minute or longer to keep the cabin at the temp you set it at???? Those with 06 with climate control might want to confirm this.

#3247 of 4991 '06 GT Sedan Auto-Climate Control Measurements... by slate1

May 09, 2006 (11:24 am)

Replying to: nifty56 (May 09, 2006 6:51 am)
This could not be more non-scientific if it had to be!
 
However - I took a digital thermometer and measured the air coming from the center vents under the following conditions:
 
Auto-Climate Control: OFF
A/C: ON
Recirculate: OFF
Temperature Setting: Lowest possible, 60°F
Fan Speed: 1
Ambient Air Temperature: 69°F
 
The air coming from the center vents measured 40.9°F and the compressor cycled on for approximately 10-12 seconds and then off for approximately 15-20 seconds consistently during the 5 minutes I took measurements.
 
It's actually been pretty cool and overcast today, so not the best "test" day. We should have some 85°F and sunny days towards the end of the week - I'll post results again on one of those days.
 
Hope this helps answer some questions.

#3248 of 4991 Re: GT Trip Computer MPG off... [slate1] by bellamusica

May 09, 2006 (11:49 am)

Replying to: slate1 (May 08, 2006 6:31 am)
I have an 06 GT hatch, and I too have noticed that the average MPG reading on the trip computer is low. At first I thought that perhaps I was filling the tank inconsistently causing my manual calculations to be incorrect. I no longer feel that way, as the reading is ALWAYS low.
 
BTW, my auto-climate control seems to keep my car plenty cool so far. I have tinted my windows to 30% all around, so that helps too.

Messages Page 325 of 500

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