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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 415 of 499

#4141 of 4991 Mazda3 AC by nsbio1

Jan 08, 2008 (4:53 pm)

Another "feature" of Mazda3 A/C is that if you switch the airflow to your face or feet and turn the temperature knob to the coldest setting, the A/C automatically, forcefully comes on AND the air, forcefully, switches to recirculated, without my intending to do so.
 
This is a completely useless, stupid, and unacceptable blunder on the part of the car designers. If I want an A/C on, I am capable of pushing the button. If I want recirculated air, I can do the same just as easily. At least the A/C and recirculated air both can be manually turned off by pushing the buttons, but watch out - the next gen cars might not allow you to do even that.
 
This is my only gripe with my new 2008 Mazda3i so far. Otherwise, the car has been great - I just do not understand why Mazda designers decided to deliberately put a piece of turd on an otherwise exceptionally well thought out dish....
 
On a separate issue, automatically turning the A/C on when the airflow is directed to the windows is a useful feature that might potentially improve safety. If weather conditions are "right", flow of air suddenly directed at the windows can fog them up in seconds, which could result in disaster.. I read some time ago about this feature in a Toyota owners manual. In case of Corolla, the A/C automatically switches on in reduced power mode and the A/C indicator light does not come on. I am not certain, but I suspect that Mazda's implementation is similar.

#4142 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 Gas Mileage I know how to improve it!!! [mariod] by autonomous

Jan 08, 2008 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: mariod (Jan 08, 2008 4:18 pm)
when you select the foot position (floor). This is usually the position that MOST people keep their air flow on
 
Really? I am surprised that you think that would be the most common position.

#4143 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 AC [nsbio1] by networkguy

Jan 08, 2008 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: nsbio1 (Jan 08, 2008 4:53 pm)
Maybe it's different in my Mazdaspeed 3, The climate control does all the things mentioned here, but only when in Auto mode. Whenever I change any setting but temperature, the system kicks out of auto and it's back to full manual control. I can also turn off the auto with a button press. It does indeed turn on the AC whenever I select auto, even if I want heat. That dries the air nicely before heating it. I usually just hit the AC button to disable and go the old school route.

#4144 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 AC [networkguy] by nsbio1

Jan 09, 2008 (6:35 am)

Replying to: networkguy (Jan 08, 2008 9:41 pm)
Yes, it is different in some Mazda3S and Mazdaspeed 3, which have automatic climate control. The Mazda3i, which I was sort of ranting about, has manual A/C.

#4145 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 Gas Mileage I know how to improve it!!! [mariod] by scwmcan

Jan 09, 2008 (6:42 am)

Replying to: mariod (Jan 08, 2008 4:18 pm)
I don't know about your 3 but mine doesn't turn on the a/c in the floor position, when it is in the defrost/floor (mixed) yes, and my grand am did the same thing as have my volvos and every other modern car I have seen, as soon as any air goes to the windshield it engages the a/c (and yes I would suspect it is not at full power)
Scott

#4146 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 AC [nsbio1] by scwmcan

Jan 09, 2008 (6:50 am)

Replying to: nsbio1 (Jan 08, 2008 4:53 pm)
If I am understanding you correctly you are saying the A/c is automatically turning on and going into rec when you turn the temp to full cold even on the foot only and foot and dash vents only (no air to the windshield)? I know mine doesn't do that at all, so either things are different in the states or yours is programmed differently, mine is a 2007 base hatch (gs sport in Canada) manual A/C, I see yours is a different year. It sounds like they may have changed something for the worse (in my opion as well as yous from the sound of it). I don't know why the A/c would operate in the manner you are describing, sounds weird and wasteful to me. I can understand the A/C coming on in defrost automatically but not in any non defrost mode. Is everyone else with a manual a/c 2008 3 experiencing the same thing? if so it sounds like a bad move on Mazda's part.
Scott
 
Scott
(P.S. sorry if I misunderstood what others were complaining about in previous posts)

#4147 of 4991 Mazda3 AC and Gas Mileage by mariod

Jan 09, 2008 (7:33 am)

HERE ARE THE FACTS.... If all of you want to keep on beating this up that's OK too....
 
I have a 2005 Mazda 3 S 2.3 sedan, NO climate control.
 
Any time you turn your MODE dial to feet or windshield your AC compressor will turn on. Hence reducing your gas mileage.............
 
I have confirmed this with a Mazda engineer in California and a my Mazda mechanic. This is the way it was designed, it does make sence to me. My honda's do not do that....

#4148 of 4991 Mazda3 Engine replacement by mazdalemon

Jan 09, 2008 (7:40 am)

I have an '04 Mazda3 - in May '07 engine issue 55k very loud ticking - bad wrist pin was the diagnosis. Engine was replaced. Given 12k/12month warranty. Just over the 12k warranty Jan '08 it's doing it again. Have appointment tomorrow. I'm freaking out! All service has done at dealership in timely fashion. Anyone have same issue or ideas?

#4149 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 AC and Gas Mileage [mariod] by scwmcan

Jan 09, 2008 (8:59 am)

Replying to: mariod (Jan 09, 2008 7:33 am)
Mariod,
I appologized in another message for not understanding what you had written, the fact remains that my 2007 (canadian model) 3 gs sport, manual A/C does not automatically turn the air on in any position that does not have defrost (air to the windshield) on it ie. defrost and mixed (air to the floor and air to the winshield). In pure floor, floor and dash vents (face) and just dash vents (face) the air conditioniing does not come on unless I turn it on, and in no position does it turn on the a/c button and the rec button regardless of temp position as another poster mentioned (I tried it this morning), so I am going to have to toss this one to differences in programming for the different markets (us and canada) though I agree with you if your a/c does act in this way (a/c auto on an floor only) it makes absolutely no sense at all, and is something that should be corrected.
Again sorry for any misunderstanding.
Scott

#4150 of 4991 Re: Mazda3 AC and Gas Mileage [mariod] by networkguy

Jan 09, 2008 (9:38 am)

Replying to: mariod (Jan 09, 2008 7:33 am)
I have a 2005 Mazda 3 S 2.3 sedan, NO climate control
 
When I was a kid we had a VW Bug. The heat ducts that ran from the engine in the back rusted through from winter road salt. Talk about NO climate control.

Messages Page 415 of 499

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