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2010 Mazda3 - READ ONLY

832 messages,  Last post on Mar 04, 2013 at 3:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Future Vehicle

Messages Page 83 of 84

#814 of 832 Re: Possibly a Critical Defect? Not -- but Annoying [whobodym] by timsd

Dec 18, 2011 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: whobodym (Apr 30, 2010 8:57 pm)
The same thing just happened to me about 2-3 weeks ago. My spoiler (visor) is also loose and can be manually moved up and down a bit. I have no idea on how to get inside to tighten the screw and the manual is useless; especially without a diagram. I'm not sure if it's the visor clanging around back there or the screw but I'll have to take the vehichle to the dealership; its still under warranty. It seems like a simple fix but I don't know what to do and don't want to incur any damage as well

#815 of 832 Re: Possibly a Critical Defect? Not -- but Annoying [timsd] by whobodym

Dec 19, 2011 (7:06 am)

Replying to: timsd (Dec 18, 2011 7:39 pm)
My car has stayed fixed since my 2010 warrantee visit, but a caution -- I have had a suspicion ever since that the dealer repair then caused a slight but still visible outward-projecting dimple on the roof-plane surface of the hatch sheet metal, by overtightening the hatch hinge bolts. This is not the location of the visor attach bolts but very nearby. I also would be a little more brave about a DIY retightening of the visor attach if it became necessary. All of the hatch-mounted interior trim pieces are simple snap-ons. You'll have to learn this to replace the center brake light bulb sometime anyway. If your nut hasn't come entirely off like mine did yet, I'd go in there right away and retighten it with LocTite.

#816 of 832 Running lights by nealm

Dec 19, 2011 (9:31 am)

I find the running lights on my 2011 3s hatch to be almost useless in the dark but potentially useful as daytime running lights. Any ideas or experience in either wiring them as DRLs or in obtaining effective night running lights for extending the sharp cut off of the low beams or establishing more side front illumination. Thanks for any advice.
PS Love this 6 sp for tracked in feel and nice pop at high revs with decent low end torque. Very impressed with my first Mazda. And while a spirited driver on roads worth traveling in that manner, my reserve in traffic and use of cruise on highways has me at a 26.8 mpg avg after 22000 miles and 1 year 3 months.

#817 of 832 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure by nealm

Jun 16, 2012 (5:56 am)

I have a gently driven 6 sp with 33k largely highway mileage driven by a 59 yo who has never driven anything but a manual, never burnt a cltch in 40 years of driving, never uses the tranny/clutch for decelleration suddenly notices a grabbing sound and feel shifting 1st to 2nd about 3 weeks ago. After having it happen 5-10 times in a week, it completely stops. Everything is functioning normally and up to that time the clutch was perfectly fine but I decide to bring it into the dealer for a check up noting to them that they will not likely replicate the malfunction but that I want it thoroughly checked because it was so odd. They check it and report I need a new clutch at 33K and that this is NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.... NONSENSE! Let's organize people. Mazda is NOT GETTING AWAY WITH THIS! I am a suburban driver doing at least 15 K a year for 40 years on various manual cars as I drove highway to work as a teacher... NEVER NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH... I take driving very seriously and drive a clutch with great skill and respect my vehicles with excellent upkeep and maintenance. I have loved this Mazda 3 up to now. My 2006 Honda Civic coupe 5 sp has 96K miles and of course the clutch is perfect. I'll be dealing with Mazda rep after this weekend and will keep you updated. Please send me your support if you can... Neal

#818 of 832 Re: 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure [nealm] by whobodym

Jun 16, 2012 (7:16 am)

Replying to: nealm (Jun 16, 2012 5:56 am)
it sounds like a defect, not you, to me. I'm like you, about same age, with 40 years of driving mostly manuals. I've never worn out a clutch either -- although I did replace my '88 Accord's at 122k miles out of a sense of curiosity, and preventiive preparation. My '97 Integra was sold at 176k mi with its original one still AOK. As for Mazda clutches, I own two now, a 2006 5 at 81k, and a 2010 3 2.5L 6MT just like yours, at 42k now. Both are original clutches and both are still fine right now. There are no signs that either of my vehicles clutches are deteriorating.

#819 of 832 Re: 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure [nealm] by autonomous

Jun 19, 2012 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: nealm (Jun 16, 2012 5:56 am)
Hmmm. Maybe a few more details to fill in the blanks ...
 
Are you the original owner and sole driver?
 
Was the car given the 12 month full checkup at the dealership?
 
Was anything documented about the clutch in that checkup? For example, was there a tick mark beside "Clutch" to indicate it passed the inspection?

#820 of 832 Re: 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure [autonomous] by nealm

Jun 19, 2012 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Jun 19, 2012 12:10 pm)
Thank you guys for your replies and interest. Yes, I am the only and sole driver. I have had basic service at my Mazda dealer... which has been synthetic oil changes, air filters and fuel injector cleaning over the 2 1/2 year period. The miles are highway pleasure miles... I'm retired. No clutch issues until about a month ago, as I said, about 5-10 times, a bit of grind noise shifting 1st-2nd which caused me to do a quick double clutch. This didn't happen over and over, just intermittently over about 2 weeks then never again. Otherwise the clutch performed perfectly. I told service that they would not likely replicate the sound and was surprised that they claimed they had and that it happened on ALL shifts, but since getting the car back with their new clutch diagnosis, I've driven with no issue, no sound for over 200 mi. Just got off the phone w/ the Mazda District Manager... he said nothing in this story sounds like a bad clutch to him... he asked and discovered that there have been NO rpm run ups while in any gear and seemed to be questioning the entire diagnosis, as I am now. At this moment he is contacting the dealer to understand the basis of this diag and we talked about not only my history with manuals but also all the various supportive evidence of a pampered, properly driven and very well liked car. He will call me and I will update.
Again thank you for your interest and feedback. Just got a new set of COOPER Zeons for the car(I like them!)... like all my cars, I plan to keep it for a long time unless this premature clutch wear issue is valid and I will be facing ongoing issues b/c of it.

#821 of 832 Re: 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure [nealm] by autonomous

Jun 20, 2012 (7:16 am)

Replying to: nealm (Jun 19, 2012 1:39 pm)
I have had basic service at my Mazda dealer... over the 2 1/2 year period.
Curious, as this is a 2011 why you say 2 1/2 year period? Did you mean 1 1/2 year period?
 
I am interested in how the dealership and Mazda USA handles your case. Being under warranty, your car should be covered as all the required maintenance has been performed and documented. All the best!

#822 of 832 Re: 2011 Mazda 3 premature clutch failure [nealm] by mazda3_2010

Jun 25, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: nealm (Jun 19, 2012 1:39 pm)
I am so glad you posted this thread. My 2010 Mazda3 had premature clutch failure at 36,000 miles which starting as a slipping clutch and failed completely after two days before I got it to the shop. I am the sole owner and driver with 35 years experience driving manuals with no failures. I drove two cars from new to well over 100k so this garbage from Mazda about normal wear and tear is infuriating.
 
thanks for providing some guidance - get in touch with the district manager is my lesson.

Messages Page 83 of 84

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