Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Mazda6 Maintenance and Repair

1293032343557

Comments

  • jahnu04jahnu04 Member Posts: 58
    Thanks to all of you for coming up with different ideas. Clipping the garage door opener to the door compartment did not work for me, the garage door did not open.

     

    I am now using a CD visor organizer to hold the garage opener. I used the 3M recloseable fasteners (similar to velcro), one piece fastened to the end of the organizer and the other piece to the opener. Works great!
  • tallyman58tallyman58 Member Posts: 1
    I am considering buying a leftover '04 6i sedan, which has the manual AC controls. This is the one thing I rally don't like about the car- the knobs are so far down and have almost invisible markings- when you wear trifocals something that size at that angle is just a blur- especially the mode knob over on the right. And they don't seem to be illuminated at night. Does anyone have a problem with this, or do you learn to work it by touch.
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 4,676
    The knobs aren't illuminated at night in the i4? I have the 6s and they are so well illuminated that I can find the controls better at night than in the day, when they do sort of disappear. However, in short order you learn where everything is anyway. Also on the 6s results are displayed on a screen that's quite readable unless you happen to have headlights on in the daytime. I have tbe auto climate control so I don't know if this screen appears on cars with the manual controls.
    '14 Buick Encore Convenience
    '17 Chevy Volt Premiere
  • sweetsixteensweetsixteen Member Posts: 40
    I was wondering what you guys think of the quality of the bose speakers. I was looking at getting other speakers installed, but I also wanted an amp and the the best speakers I can find now (for around what I want to pay) handle only 240 watts. The current system is 200watts in my car, and I was thinking of getting a 200 watt amp. Any suggestions?
  • psiturbopsiturbo Member Posts: 2
    I got a friend of mine who has a Mazda 6S and thinks his car is the ultimate car cause as he says, many times it just eats the road when testing its limits. Testing was that the other day he almost killed himself driving thru the hills of Point Reyes in California. From what he explained he was racing another car but a deer got in the middle and he almost hit the animal, BUT he slammed the brakes in a tight turn and hell brake loose. The car got stock in a ditch. I had to pull him out with a Ford 350 turbo diesel. Thank God (or whoever) the car did not suffer or he, any scratches at all.
  • psiturbopsiturbo Member Posts: 2
    From my "OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE" speaker brand dont mean anything. First of all, think about location of the speakers and type of vehicle. You can have the same system, but two different cars and they will never sound the same. The first thing to look for is, cable quality and a nice powerful amp. I have a Directed 650 amplifier with 2 10" subs, 2 6x9 Pioneer (6 way)and 2 6 and half 3 way speakers. I connected the door speakers straight to the radio, the 6x9 were connected in the amp where it says front speakers and the subs where connected as rear speakers in the amp. The cables I used are Category 5 shielded computer cables with RCA connectors. Its is of highest quality and best of the best, no static or crosstalk at all...clean pure poweful music.
  • escortownerescortowner Member Posts: 132
    It all depends on what you are trying to do. I will tell you this much. I got the stereo without the Bose system and I am in the process of upgrading it and from what I have done so far, I would say it sounds better than the Bose. Are you talking RMS or peak power? I bought all of my speakers on eBay and saved good money there. Anyway, what I would do is install a 4 channel amp with a wattage that is comperable to the handling power of the speakers...especially for the sub.

     

    I bought the Alpine F240 amp, and some boston acoustics speakers...sounds great.....when my sub arrives it is going to match with RMS of the amp too.
  • jeremy585jeremy585 Member Posts: 9
    I too have this sulfuer smell. Some days the smell is pungent, others it is non existant. I noticed the smell comes when I "punch" the gas. To me that sulfer smell smells like gasoline. Let me know what you hear about this!
  • alkuo414alkuo414 Member Posts: 1
    Hello dv8er,

     

    I too am having exactly the same problem with my 3.5 months old 2004 6 4i/auto. It happens randomly without any pattern. Bothers me a little bit when it happens even though I have to pay close attention to hear it. Wondering how I should show it to the dealer when I send it for 1st oil change.

     

    It is nonetheless a great car. Please let me know when you get the answer from the dealer!
  • fjonesfjones Member Posts: 1
    Has any body worked out how to turn off the beep every time a button is pressed in the Mazda 6? I imagine this could a annoying if people are asleep in the car? How about looking behind the central control centre and ‘pulling’ a wire?
  • likaglovlikaglov Member Posts: 82
    I had my car at the dealer this past week for the sulphur smell. They ran an "exhaust flush" procedure (twice) which is supposed to clean it out. So far, so good, but I'll have to give it more time to be sure. Next step is to replace the cat. converter, but Mazda says it must have 10k miles first.
  • hursthurst Member Posts: 1
    Is anybody else experiencing corrosion on their Mazda 6 alloys??

    I have a UK Mazda 6, and am about to get my third set of alloys fitted under warranty - they just keep corroding!

    They last 8 months MAX, before starting to show signs of corrosion - bubbling starting on the edges.

    I keep them clean, free of brake dust etc etc, but nothing seems to stop it.

     

    Dealer is excellent, and they just replace the lot at the first sign of corrosion, but my worry is - what happens at the end of the 36 month warranty?? - I'll get them replaced just before the end, and then I have 8 months before they start going again, and I have to pay for any new wheels from that point!

     

    Reading other discussion forums, it appears that a lot of people with Toyota's are having the same problem - is this a common problem I wonder??
  • ebeneben Member Posts: 26
    I can't state precise location (don't have manual with me) but I recall seeing a section in the OM about turning off the button tones.
  • hesterhester Member Posts: 4
    Does anyone know the correct tightening torque for the oil pan nut on the 3.0 V6 engine?
  • dv8erdv8er Member Posts: 8
    alkuo414 -

    FYI- The vehicle was making the sound when I brought it in last time, however a tech was not avaiable to hear the sound. The desk service guy was the only one who heard it. I am intruiged now that someone like you, who has a automatic and v6 rather than a 4cyl manual, is also having this problem.

    My trouble ticket/service has been left open indefinitely with the dealership and Mazda. The best words of advice I can give you is to go to the dealership when it's making the noise and insist on letting a tech hear it.

    Interestingly enough, it has not made the noise since. The only factor I can possibly link it to is outside temperature being less than 20F.

    I'll keep you posted if I find out anything.
  • dickson1dickson1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a uk mazda 6 estate and I am about to get my 3rd set of alloys. My car is 19 mths old. when 1st set was relaced the dealer took photos of each alloy and a few days later a new set was put on. 2 days ago I returned to the dealer with same problem. they did'nt look at the wheels, they just ordered a new set, so it looks like they have a problem.
  • civiceater4uciviceater4u Member Posts: 7
    hey escortowner, i wanted to know if you could give me the website where u can get the indash kits for the 6. i havent been able to look online that much and it'll help me out. thanks
  • lsplifflspliff Member Posts: 1
    I keep my radio on now because of this problem. Before 5k miles I had my 5 speed blow part of the clutch through the case and out the bellhousing. After they dropped the cradle to replace the tranny, it was never the same. I hear all these front end noises including the one you mentioned. When I make sharp turns or hit an incline like a driveway I hear a "pop" or "thunk" sound coming from the passenger side. Then when going over bumps, I hear a sound similar to a loose sway bar bouncing around from the middle of the car right below the dash. And now as of yesterday my 6 cd changer wont work. I hit load to load a cd and it locked up.
  • kmcgkmcg Member Posts: 14
    I had this problem with my 2003 MPV for the first year I owned it, so I asked about it when I talked to a dealer earlier this week about perhaps buying a MZ6 wagon. He acknowledged he had seen it on the 6's, and gave the standard "break it in" solution.

    When I had the problem, I changed gasoline brands many times, kept copious notes of the results, and eventually had some sort of supposed cure performed at the dealer. Nothing helped, and it was really getting worse, not better. (My kids hated being in the car - yikes!) I made a point of complaining about it every time I went in to the dealer for an oil change or small recall item.

    Finally, the dealer got permission to replace the catalytic converter. They were very nice about it, but I did have to jump through a lot of hoops. The new cat solved the problem.

    Even without the sulphur smell, I still suspect there's a design flaw with MPVs that makes the car suck in exhaust from other cars more than normal. Has anybody had that kind of problem with their MZ6? I really like my MPV now, overall. I want to love the 6, but I'm not sure I want to go through this again!
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    Go out and buy the 6! Chances are that the sulfur smell will NOT be an issue. Granted, problems arise with all cars, it's a chance we take no matter what we buy. The sulfur smell isn't affecting my car, and I've had it for over 6 months and 8000 miles.

    As far as the "design flaw" with the 6, I've never had problems with exhaust from other cars (except from diesel trucks and buses, but it's not a common occurence, and it's hard to avoid that diesel smell anyway).
  • jahnu04jahnu04 Member Posts: 58
    I have been hearing a whistling sound intermittently from the front of my MZ6 wagon. The whistle is in sync with the engine rev. initially it’s a broken whistle and it gets continuous as the car speeds up. The whistle stops when I apply the brakes and comes on as soon as I lift my leg off the brakes. This sound does not occur every time I start and drive, but once it starts whistling, goes on until the car is stopped. The sound is loud enough to hear even with the radio on low volume.

    I have got an appointment tomorrow morning, not sure if it will happen when I take the car there. Bought the car last December and have already been to the servicing for 4 different minor problems.

    I enjoy driving this car but every couple of week’s new problem comes up. Cannot afford to get to rid of it either, will have to just live with it.

    Has anyone come across such a problem before?
  • jahnu04jahnu04 Member Posts: 58
    I could reproduce the whistle sound this morning and the service technician told me that there is a TSB on this problem. I am told there is a mismatch in the hardware used for the rotors and brake pads. He says some 6's have this problem and some don't. They are going to fix it, have got a replacement car for the day.
  • likaglovlikaglov Member Posts: 82
    kmcg - thanks for the post. I'm experiencing the problem again, two weeks after the "mystery procedure" to fix it. At least this time the dealer actually tried something. I'm going to push on them for the cat converter replacement, prior to the 10k mile requirement. As for buying a 6-wagon, I would go for it. The sulphur issue appears to be uncommon. I don't think you'll find a better buy in the wagon segment. If you're going sedan, I would reconsider the Accord, but it IS less fun to drive.
  • fitguyfitguy Member Posts: 220
    I'll also cast my vote for the Mazda- my 6S has about 5K miles- no sulpher, no brake moan, no problems whatsoever. It's a hatch and tight as a drum so far. I had a '03 Accord, it was nice and got better mileage BUT- I'd much rather drive the M6! I rode in a Mercedes S500 the other day and was supprised to find it had a rattle near the passenger door! And THAT's an $85,000 car. Buy the Mazda- for the buck, you can't go wrong.
  • jadis8jadis8 Member Posts: 1
    Hi. I'm in the purchase of a mazda 6 and I test drove one the other day with a similar metallic, clicking/ticking noise from the upper right portion of the engine. Do you have an update on what happened to your car? any solutions? did the noise get worse? Please help me because this may break or make my decision to buy this car. Thanks!
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Time for another chat session with your fellow forum residents! Should be another fun hour as we discuss the automotive (and some not-so-automotive) issues of the day.

    PF Flyer
    Host
    Pickups & News & Views Message Boards


    The MAZDA MANIA Chat is on tonight. Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
  • sweetsixteensweetsixteen Member Posts: 40
    Whats your guys impression of Kendall synthetic oil? A garage here is offering 5 quarts of Kendall 5W30 synthetic oil and a tire rotation for 13.95. My guess is that this is too good to be true. If you have used or know about it, could you please let me know what you think?
  • mjvchicagomjvchicago Member Posts: 149
    Hi Jadis. The ticking noise I had was simply due low oil. I had tried to go the suggested 5000 mile interval between oil changes, but I think I'm more demanding on my care than that allows. So after I took it in for a look at the dealer, they said I was low on oil. They changed my oil and it has been absolutely fine ever since.

    If you were hearing the same thing during the test drive, it could be that the car was low on oil. Don't let it detract you. This is a great car and I still LOVE getting into it every morning.
  • dfworddfword Member Posts: 1
    Early in December, I bought a 04 6s, AT, sport and leather pkgs. Paid only 19,500. X-Plan less rebates, I really got a great deal. I have put 3700 miles on it, and have not noticed any of the problems that have plagued other folks; but then again, I traded a 2000 Beetle for this (a total POS uber-lemon). Anyway, the build date on my car is 8/10/04, and was wondering if all of the TSBs would have been taken care of at the factory (maybe a dumb question). Also, when I take it in for it's first service at 5K, will the dealer check for TSBs without me asking? Love the car, my only complaint so far is crappy gas mileage, and I wish that the sheet metal grade was a bit better.
  • bullseyejoebullseyejoe Member Posts: 7
    Sulphur smell-I get the smell when the auto climate control is turned off. Thus, I leave the ACC turned on all the time !!

    The ACC works great for me - I set the temp between 68 - 74, depending on how I feel.

    I live in Boston where the temperature varies greatly... between 0 and 100 degrees. Although usually between 20-80 depending on the season.

    My only complaint with the base Mazda 6s is that the radio needs an upgrade.
  • likaglovlikaglov Member Posts: 82
    Bullseye - do you mean the vents are off completely or do you mean ACC vs. Manual control? I have to shut off completely to not get the smell in the cabin. This will not work once it starts heating up here in NC.
  • bullseyejoebullseyejoe Member Posts: 7
    No the vents are open. The climate control is set to AUTO and I set the temp to approximately 71 degrees.

    FYI: I shut off the AUTO today and did not notice a smell.

    I have been driving with AUTO on from the very beginning because I noticed the smell anytime AUTO wasn't on.

    However, maybe the stuff on the engine burnt off (another poster mentioned this as a possible reason for the smell). The car has 18,000 miles. I have owned it for 15 months.

    PS I love the car !!!! I had the opportunity to drive an Infiniti G35 all last week. When I started driving my Mazda 6s again, I liked it more than the Infiniti ! I like how the Mazda feels lighter. The G35 feels much heavier. Admittedly, the Infiniti has WAY more power !
  • gabogabo Member Posts: 2
    Yup, my Maz6 8000 miles is having the clutch shudder everybody is describing. Now it sures makes sense it started happening on a rainy day and then it disappeared. I took to the dealer today and ohh surprise they couldnt duplicate the problem, so nothing was done. Im glad I didnt leave it overnight as they advisor suggested. If I would have I knew it was not going to do it tomorrow morning because its going to be a very dry and warm day here in arizona. I suppose im going to have to wait for a humid morning to take it in.
    If the problem of clutch shudder is widespread they should have a solution in place by now, I dont understand why they have to replicate the problem. Id like to know whats the best way to influence them into actually replacing whatever is broken. any ideas? write a letter?
  • gabogabo Member Posts: 2
    yeah Id like to know more about the fan motor recall letter
  • slickdogslickdog Member Posts: 225
    Moisture does seem to affect the brakes and clutches on these cars. My 626 had a bit of clutch shudder which was most noticeable on cool damp mornings, but it wasn't very severe, happened infrequently, and completely went away after the first few shifts. The clutch in my wagon doesn't shudder, but it definitely isn't quite the same on damp mornings.

    How bad is your clutch shuddering, and how frequently? Does it affect it's operation severely, or just not feel right? You may want to think twice about having a dealer disassembling major components in your vehicle if the issue is really not much more than an annoyance.

    I concede that Mazda does not appear to have the best clutches out there. I'm not experiencing any clutch shudder in my wagon 3K miles, but even if I do, I'll probably just live with it as long as I can get the car launched without the entire vehicle shaking.

    Just my two cents, good luck if you decide to pursue clutch replacement.
  • richie2richie2 Member Posts: 2
    no joke, i used to back my '47 ford to a telephone pole in the neighbor hood and slowly ease the clutch out about a quarter way. shudder gone. cleans the haze off. any old fossils out there remember that ?
  • uconnvinuconnvin Member Posts: 2
    I was surfing the net in hopes that I'd find other people with problems similar to mine-I have an 03 MT 6s that I just took to the dealer with near 19,000 miles on it-and they are telling me the clutch has gone-please let me know how this issue was resolved for you-they are of course blaming me for the problem-even though i don't ride the clutch, drive mostly highway miles and know how to drive MT cars-
  • fitguyfitguy Member Posts: 220
    I hadn't heard about a fan motor recall- do you have any specific details? Mine is a little noisy too.
  • slickdogslickdog Member Posts: 225
    Interesting technique!
  • slickdogslickdog Member Posts: 225
    There's another Mazda6 forum which I can't reference here where several people have described a similar situation to yours. Just search on Google with a couple relevant keywords and you should find it.

    I seem to recall reading about some who had the issue fixed at no cost, some having to pay part of the cost, and some having to foot the entire bill for clutch replacement. Probably depends on who runs your dealer's service department.
  • bullseyejoebullseyejoe Member Posts: 7
    Worried about buying the Mazda 6 due to smell ???

    You will smell it during the test drive, just make sure the auto climate control is OFF.
  • slickdogslickdog Member Posts: 225
    I haven't experienced that problem yet, but I'm wondering - does it happen in cold weather or warm weather or both? I don't think it has been above 60 degrees here since I bought my 6s wagon in November.
  • fitguyfitguy Member Posts: 220
    Sometimes when I eat chili and drink Bass ale, I notice a terrible smell coming from the drivers seat............:)
  • rickinnj8rickinnj8 Member Posts: 9
    Has anyone installed satellite radio in a Mazda6 with the BOSE package yet. I finally broke down and went with XM and the Delphi Roady2 package (it has the option of a red LED screen - to match the 6 dashboard lights). I have been using the FM modulator (thru an FM station) and the sound quality is "OK". I don't have a cassette deck so I can't use that option.

    Does anyone know if there is a direct input on the radio that can be used for this? It would obviously require removing part of the dash to get to it if it is there.

    The other option is using the FM modulator connected directly to the car's antenna lead - again requiring removal of a portion of the dashboard.

    I want to make sure I know my options before I take anything apart.

    Also, are there cell phone/satellite receiver holders that attach to the Mazda vents. They are different than most cars and the attachment that comes with the Roady2 is for thinner vents.

    Any help would be appreciated.

    BTW - almost 6K miles on a loaded '04 wagon and no problems.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    Sometimes when I eat chili and drink Bass ale, I notice a terrible smell coming from the drivers seat............:)

    ......and you have the nerve to call yourself "fitguy"!!! :)
  • uconnvinuconnvin Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to try that Google search-I still can't believe the clutch would burn out after 18,550 miles-the dealership has been thoroughly unhelpful and actually downright rude about the whole thing-if anyone has had any success, don't be a stranger-thanks!
  • fitguyfitguy Member Posts: 220
    Only 'cause I sell exercise equipment- you should see the list of bad habits I have! (including beating 325i owners away from stoplights because they're afraid to nail their precious little Bimmer)!!
  • epsterepster Member Posts: 2
    I just bought a mazda 6 2004 with 2100 miles. I love the ride. The last couple of week I have noticed a rough shift between 1st and 2nd gears. Only when it is cold. The trans fluid looks to be a little low but I am not to sure what atf type m-v is and neither did the guy at auto zone. Any suggestions before I call the dealer. I have also noticed a noise at around 60 mph. Sound like wind vibration on a loose body part but I see nothing. Any help or suggestions what I can tell the dealer when I contact him?
    Thanks!!
  • mslishmslish Member Posts: 4
    Ok, I bought a brand new 2004 mazda 6 on feb 1. This past Saturday I had to have it towed to the dealer because it was leaking fluid. Turns out I have a cracked radiator. How do you get a cracked radiator in a BRAND NEW CAR?? Now I'm worried about what else could be wrong. The service guy says he can't even do a full diagnostic until they fix the radiator, because running the car could cause additional damage. I am so ready to just give this car back to Mazda, but I don't think I can invoke the lemon law until Mazda is first given a chance to fix the problem. I bought a new car to avoid this kind of trouble. Grr....
  • mslishmslish Member Posts: 4
    oops, make that BRAND new car...
Sign In or Register to comment.