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Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair

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

You are in the Mazda3 Forum.

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

    
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Messages Page 460 of 500

#4585 of 4991 Mazda3 online shop manual by eoghan1

Mar 11, 2010 (7:53 pm)

A while back it was possible to pull a Mazda 3 shop manual on line. I believe it was through the midwest car club.com. I bookmarked it and found it useful. Now it seems they have gone commercial and the manual is not available on line but one is offered for sale. Did I miss something? Did anyone down load it when it was free and have it available? BTW I am approaching 50k on my 2004 3S hatch 5spd without any problems. Mobil 1 every 5K and she keeps on humming.

#4586 of 4991 Hey I'm a new Mazda owner by 05mazda3iusaf

Mar 13, 2010 (3:02 pm)

Hey everyone, This is the first Mazda I have owned. Its an 2005 Mazda3i manual. I have always loved mazdas and wanted one so now i finally have one. But here the thing I'm in the Air Force and i want this car to last me. Right now it has 78,xxx miles on it.
 
The only thing i can think of right now is when i turn the heat or A/C on the fan in the engine will "pulsate" go one for a few seconds then cut off then turn back on. Does anyone know why it does this? and what can i do to fix it or is it normal.
 
Also whats the life span on these transmissions?
 
If you could answer this that would be awesome and any other maintenance i should do before its to late. Thanks Alot!
 
Jason

#4587 of 4991 Re: Hey I'm a new Mazda owner [05mazda3iusaf] by roadburner

Mar 13, 2010 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: 05mazda3iusaf (Mar 13, 2010 3:02 pm)
Can't help you on the fan problem except to suggest it might be a bad relay.
The transaxle should easily last the life of the car if maintained properly and not abused. I'd change the oil in it every 50K at a minimum. As for other preventative maintenance, I'd change the coolant every three years and the brake fluid every two years. Run a good synthetic 5W-20 and you can get away with changing the engine oil every 7,500 miles.

#4588 of 4991 Re: Hey I'm a new Mazda owner [roadburner] by 05mazda3iusaf

Mar 13, 2010 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 13, 2010 7:56 pm)
Alright do they do that when they do an oil change or is that something different? Who do you think i should bring it to for a bad relay?

#4589 of 4991 Re: Hey I'm a new Mazda owner [05mazda3iusaf] by roadburner

Mar 14, 2010 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: 05mazda3iusaf (Mar 13, 2010 9:42 pm)
Alright do they do that when they do an oil change or is that something different?
 
No, you have to ask for those services separately.
 
Who do you think i should bring it to for a bad relay?
 
The relay is just a guess on my part. You need to find a shop that employs mechanics- not just some joker who throws parts at a problem. As for where to go, all I can suggest is checking out some of the regional boards on the Mazda forums; you should be able to find recommendations for good dealers or independent shops.

#4590 of 4991 Re: Hey I'm a new Mazda owner [roadburner] by autonomous

Mar 15, 2010 (9:28 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 13, 2010 7:56 pm)
I'd change the coolant every three years and the brake fluid every two years.
Curious, I thought the coolant was to be changed every two years.

#4592 of 4991 Re: Hey I'm a new Mazda owner [autonomous] by jeffyscott

Mar 15, 2010 (11:27 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Mar 15, 2010 9:28 am)
Assuming it is the same as my Mazda, the maintenance schedule actually says 10 years or 120K mi for the first coolant change and 5 years/60K mi for subsequent changes.

#4593 of 4991 A change that's cool [jeffyscott] by autonomous

Mar 15, 2010 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Mar 15, 2010 11:27 am)
Assuming it is the same as my Mazda, the maintenance schedule actually says 10 years or 120K mi for the first coolant change ...
 
I checked the Edmunds Maintenance page for the 2010 Mazda3 and you're right! I was quoting the coolant replacement service for my 2002 Mazda Protege5. That is an amazing difference! On the other hand, I suspect that the coolant inspection results in changes more frequent than once in the first decade.
 
p.s. Another important difference between the Mazda Protege and its successor, the Mazda3, is the replacement of the rubber timing belt by the timing chain; the longer lasting timing chain is a significant saving in maintenance for most drivers. Kudos to Mazda for making these types of improvements to the maintenance of their vehicles!

#4594 of 4991 Power Steering Failure by sonnyrocker

Apr 01, 2010 (12:37 pm)

I have my 2009 Mazda 3 just over a year, and I experienced power steering failure while driving on the highway. The steering wheel gets tightened and you have to use some muscle to turn it, I got it off the road, turned off and restarted the engine and everything was fine, but that was dangerous.
 
I took it to the dealer and it is power steering motor/pump failure. I read that this is a common problem and apparently there is a recall on it.
My car is still under the warranty and the part is backordered. Due to safety issue, dealer gave me a rental car to drive until it is fixed.
 
For all Mazda 3 owner, please watch out for the power steering warning light. If it comes on and your steering wheel tightens, don't panic. Use your muscle to pull it to the side of the road, restart it and see if it works. If it does, drive it to the dealer right away!!!

Messages Page 460 of 500

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