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Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair

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

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#3798 of 4531 Re: Checking Codes [3254] by ex_tdier Jan 05, 2007 (5:42 pm)
Replying to: 3254 (Jan 04, 2007 3:59 pm) For those that have the $$$ they can buy and carry a error code reader in their car for their vehicle. So, when the engine light goes on, you just connect the reader to the interface so it reads the code.   I am sure you can get a reader for our Mazda3 from Pepboys or other auto parts stores.
#3799 of 4531 Newbie: Learning as I go...Comments welcome by rogerb1956 Jan 06, 2007 (1:28 pm)
OK, so I bought this 2004 Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.3L, 30,000 miles on the odo, still under warranty. Very nice, fun to drive. Now, reality sets in:   * Gets bad gas mileage (estimate 14~15mpg, city driving, not leadfoot) No gas leaks, runs fine. * Has a steering noise, kind of a clicking when turning. Almost sounds like something is rubbing against a rubber boot. At first I thought this was inside dash noise, now not so sure.   Anyone had similar problems, and possible solutions?   From reading this forum, it seems like getting the oil changed at Jiffy Lube is a bad idea. A special tool is required to properly secure the oil filter.   Also, it seems like folks generally have bad luck with warranty repairs from the dealers. However, everyone seems to agree this is fun car to drive.   Thanks for any advice/comments. Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Jan 06, 2007 1:43 pm) rogerb1956 (Jan 07, 2007 5:24 am)
#3800 of 4531 Re: Newbie: Learning as I go...Comments welcome [rogerb1956] by ex_tdier Jan 06, 2007 (1:43 pm)
Replying to: rogerb1956 (Jan 06, 2007 1:28 pm) Newbie, it seems that some folk, myself being one of them bought a Mazda that just sucks gas. Nobody knows why.   Apparently, there is a PCM (computer update) for some models (2005 for sure) to help with the lousy gas mileage but it is of no help. It's like the A/C issue in 2004-early 2006 models without auto climate control but the gas mileage is much more random than the A/C issue.   The clickin noise should be looked at by the dealer...it could be your CV joint or ??? Replies to this message: rogerb1956 (Jan 07, 2007 5:24 am)
#3801 of 4531 rogerb1956 by z71bill Jan 06, 2007 (6:25 pm)
What month was your Mazda built?   You can look at the drivers side door frame it will give a month and year -just hope its not 10 2003.   My local dealer raised the price on an oil change - they now want almost $30 - but I would never use Jiffy Lube. Not worth it. Replies to this message: rogerb1956 (Jan 07, 2007 5:13 am)
#3802 of 4531 Re: Mazda 3 Break In Problem [jhindson] by zoomgirl Jan 07, 2007 (12:35 am)
Replying to: jhindson (Oct 24, 2006 6:30 pm) how do u notice the dent? did the thieves actually drive off with your car or did they just dent it to get in? i know most cars have a sort of engine immobilizer (like the new truck), but something should be done about the system if thieves know their way in that easily. if they dont, i could just imagine how insurance prices are gonna sky rocket for M3s...not to mention they will knock off honda from the "most stollen car" title. im really starting to get discouraged with mazda!
#3803 of 4531 Re: rogerb1956 [z71bill] by rogerb1956 Jan 07, 2007 (5:13 am)
Replying to: z71bill (Jan 06, 2007 6:25 pm) Mine was built 06/04. What is so bad about one built 10/03?
#3804 of 4531 Re: Newbie: Learning as I go...Comments welcome [ex_tdier] by rogerb1956 Jan 07, 2007 (5:24 am)
Replying to: ex_tdier (Jan 06, 2007 1:43 pm) No, not a CV joint. The noise occurs without the drive wheels moving, just when the steering wheel turns. There seems to be a TSB on this. I plan to go to the dealer with a list of TSBs that may be related to my complaints.   http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/   Thanks.
#3805 of 4531 rogerb1956 -10 2003 + maybe a little off subject. by z71bill Jan 07, 2007 (12:23 pm)
I own a 2004 Mazda3 with a 10 2003 build month. I have had many many problems - weak AC, hard shifty auto tranny, grinding rear brakes, thumping front suspension, check engine light that was always coming on, stalling / hard to start engine (defective fuel pump) - defective power window - from my Unscientific poll - many other owners with this build month also have had numerous problems.   The real issue was not even all the defects - it was that Mazda would not fix them - I got so sick of the - its operating as designed - its normal - but then a year later a TSB would come out that was my EXACT problem. So I would take it in and get it fixed. I am glad I stuck with it now - all the defects (except the weak AC) have been resolved. I did some work on the AC system myself and it works somewhat better as long as the temp is below 90.   We bought the car on my daughter's 15th B-day - she learned to drive in it - my wife and I drove it around town for the first couple years & when my daughter turned 17 she took it over as "her" car. She still lets me drive it once in a while - like to the gas station!   Even though I had more than my share of problems with the Mazda3 - I still do not regret buying it - it is a good car for a young driver - GREAT brakes, side & side curtain air bags, very easy to drive & park, limited blind spots - and finally it is a car she really likes and its fun to drive.   She turns 18 at the end of the month - the Mazda3 will have 1 year of warranty left - I am already thinking about getting rid of it before the warranty expires - but when I ask her what car she would like to have when she goes off to college - she says - I like my Mazda. So I am faced with keeping it past warranty (it only was 25.5K miles on it) or trading it in on another Mazda3 - something I have said many times I would never do (buy another Mazda). Only time will tell - if the next year is problem free I may just stick a new battery in it and let her take it to college. Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Jan 09, 2007 6:03 pm) shaypara (Aug 29, 2007 2:25 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Aug 30, 2007 7:01 am)
#3806 of 4531 Re: A Wheezing when I turn the wheel - Power steering? [coosamtn] by coosamtn Jan 09, 2007 (6:25 am)
Replying to: coosamtn (Jan 02, 2007 3:40 pm) I got my 3 back from the dealership yesterday. They replaced the left front strut and tweaked the alignment for me. Man, I had forgotten how much fun this thing is to drive. They also showed me the only fix for our power steering pump whine problem. There's this little knob in the center of the dash, just punch it in, twist it to the right and ...'voi la'... the pump whine is gone. Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Jan 09, 2007 6:05 pm)
#3807 of 4531 Re: rogerb1956 -10 2003 + maybe a little off subject. [z71bill] by ex_tdier Jan 09, 2007 (6:03 pm)
Replying to: z71bill (Jan 07, 2007 12:23 pm) Bill, you must remember that the 04 was the first new model. Like anything, it's always good to wait a few years before we buying an introductory new model. I [hoped] all the bugs and most of the kinks would be ironed out before I got my 05 but clearly that was not the case....Mazda is quite slow in that department.As you say, your outstanding and common issues have now been resolved, or at least most of them.   If you recall, it took Mazda 2.5 years to more or less resolve the A/C issue by redesigning the HVAC ducts in our non auto climate controlled models.

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