Ask the Car People.SM


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

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 497 of 500

#4958 of 4991 Re: Tire Pressure [gcarolmarie] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 12, 2011 (8:25 am)

Replying to: gcarolmarie (Nov 12, 2011 7:29 am)
Did anyone use the special tool that checks the battery life in the tire pressure sensors?
 
Also some cars have a sensor in the spare tire, which can energize the light as well. Not sure if your car fits that profile.
 
this light periodically goes on in my MINI--I just shut it off with a scan tool and don't see it again for 6 months or so.

#4959 of 4991 Transmission problem 2004 mazda3 i by krisinua

Nov 13, 2011 (7:04 pm)

I have a 2004 mazda 3 4 speed automatic and 3rd gear is slipping i did a tranny sevice and it is still slipping .1st and 2nd gears are fine.When it goes in to 3rd it slipps then into 4th it is fine again.Could this be the tsm? (transmission shifting module)or a new transmission? ive only had this car for 1 year and there are no dummy lights on.It has about 75,000 miles on it. HELPPPP

#4960 of 4991 replace belts by halser

Nov 23, 2011 (10:06 am)

I have an 06 Mazda 3 S with 82k. I have the 2.3 with a 5 speed. I noticed my alternator belt is starting to fray. I looked at dayco belts and its looks like the air conditioner belt is a stretch belt. A special tool is needed to install the belt. Has anybody run across this? Are there special instructions to change this belt? Hal

#4961 of 4991 Re: Airbag light [JBaumgart] by fordnuts

Nov 29, 2011 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: JBaumgart (Aug 18, 2010 6:37 am)
2007 Mazda 3 HB, Airbag light came on around 100K (now 107K). Thought it was due to me placing backpack on seat for many years and not latching seatbelt. Anyways, paid the $99 diagnostic check, when I had it in for other fluid changes, and they indicated/recommended that at a minimum the wire that leads to the AB sensor would have to be replaced, which is part of the steering column harness. So $200 for part and 300 for labor was their fix. I didn't take the bait. This should be a recall item! Risk is the AB may not deploy (on passenger side), but always you and passengers wear your seat belt. Letter to Mazda forthcoming.

#4962 of 4991 Re: Dealership Maintenance [crowheart] by fordnuts

Nov 29, 2011 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: crowheart (Mar 08, 2011 2:47 pm)
The recommended change of the tranny fluid is 30K. If heavy city driving, the fluid will wear down a little quicker, more highway, perhaps slower. So yes it seems quicker than the 60K on older vehicles, these smaller squirrle engines burn it up quicker, supposedly, and should be changed out more frequently. going 30-35K is fine. Now the injector service can be postponed longer as long as you you put Costco/BJs gas in car every fillup. Some variety will help prolong buildup. Just did first injector service at 100K. It was a little sluggish and probably could have be done anywheres from 60-80K. Oil changes with darn expensive paper filter, of course can go 4-7K depending driving conditions.

#4963 of 4991 Re: Dealer is a rip off? [soundhealing] by fordnuts

Nov 29, 2011 (8:54 pm)

Replying to: soundhealing (Sep 24, 2011 4:18 pm)
Strut replacement issue is bogus. Slight leak, no big deal. Got same $600+ quote for parts and labor. Can't imagine the struts will completely blow out. Could be another batch on Non-genuine parts they used for that. (note, they give you that line when they replace somehting, all genuine parts). Check another location or 2 for quotes.
 
Yes you can go to other mechanics, just ask the frequency of fixing newer Mazdas. Maintenance costs on these dam buggers is ridiculous, but pick and choose repairs, especially based on the neediest. Dealers will always find something to fix or replace. They are looking to make money.

#4964 of 4991 Re: replace belts [halser] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 29, 2011 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: halser (Nov 23, 2011 10:06 am)
The little jig tool comes with the new AC belt and there should be instructions with it. If not you can subscribe to All Data DIY for $26.95 for the entire year, and get instructions on just about any repair for your car.
 
Looks like you'll have to cut the AC belt to get at the alternator belt, which uses an automatic tensioner.

#4965 of 4991 Re: Dealer is a rip off? [fordnuts] by shipo

Nov 30, 2011 (4:17 am)

Replying to: fordnuts (Nov 29, 2011 8:54 pm)
"Maintenance costs on these dam buggers is ridiculous, but pick and choose repairs, especially based on the neediest."
 
Seriously? Maybe my Mazda3 is an anomaly as it has yet to cost me a dime in unscheduled maintenance. The thing is, other than the autotragic transmission, I've yet to hear of consistent issues with this car, and since I won't have a car unless it has three pedals under the dash, I don't even have to worry about that.

#4966 of 4991 Re: Dealer is a rip off? [shipo] by scwmcan

Dec 01, 2011 (3:22 am)

Replying to: shipo (Nov 30, 2011 4:17 am)
Nope not an anomaly, neither of our 2007 Mazda 3 s have needed any unscheduled maintenance, we are down to one ( I needed even better fuel efficiency for my commute) but it is still going strong with just oil changes and one set of tires, the only problem if you want to call it that is that both of them had the top of the shift knob come off ( the insert with the shift pattern on it) annoying but hardly a mechanical nightmare. I am sure there are many more like us, we just don't hear from them. I'll be considering aa sky active 3 along with a new Imprezza and whatever else might have excellent economy (at least close to my diesel smart car) when it is time to change cars next.

#4967 of 4991 Re: blower motor crapped out [ahightower] by mo8684

Jan 25, 2012 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: ahightower (Sep 10, 2010 10:31 am)
I know this is a bit late; however, I also have a 2008 Mazda3 and I had to replace a blower motor around 30k miles. I am now at about 60k miles and my car is in the shop to replace the blower motor again. So, in about 3.5 years, I've had to replace two of them.
 
I don't know if this is a recurrent problem or if we were just "lucky." Nevertheless, it seems to me that the blower motor shouldn't have to be replaced as frequently.

Messages Page 497 of 500

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement