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Comments
I'll let everyone know how it turns out after the amp is installed.
Ron B.
--Dale
However I'm certain that in less than a year from now, this little 95DX will be chugging along, putting smiles on someone else's face for a few years ;-)
The new Mazda 3' and 6's should be out soon, and I can't wait!
It got an oil change yesterday, and a drive-through (but brushless!) wash'n wax is on the cards for today.
Today was a good Protege day. It was sunny and in the 60's here. Boy do these tires like warm weather ALOT more than cold weather.
;-)))
-Larry
check out the "files" section for an eXcel sheet comparo of various tires and sizes for 99-00 ES (15")
BTW, I had the poortenzas replaced by BFGoodrich touring T/A VR4 "205/55/VR15" 'cause I got a great deal at BJ's wholesale..saved 150 bucks compared to Avellinos.
They are noticeable quiter on rough roads, absorbs much of the little sharp bumps and also takes sharp turns without screeching.
My advice: don't go for soft and/or smaller sidewall tires like a T-rated or 50(or less) series 'cause in case u have a flat, the 55 series v-rated tires have enough rubber on the sidewall & strong enough to keep the alloy from touching the ground....my personal experience on the RE-92....picked up a nail on right front tire on the I-95......drove 5 miles before going in to a garage with near "ZERO" air pressure and nothing happened to my alloys....saved $$$$
my version of RUNFLAT tires
Meade
Also good for playing that stereo with the windows down. Ron, you'll really enjoy your upgraded audio system when you're done. I only upgraded the speakers, but I really get a kick out of them (of course, my head unit seems OK with them).
1. a comparo between the ES and P5
2. Auto and Manual Pro
3. Dunlop SPsport A2 Vs. SP5000
u are in the best position to do so.
Here's how it went:
The RF people talked me through the same 9 volt battery deal to test whether the rear speakers were in phase. It involved attaching by wire for an instant, the + side of the battery to the + side on the speakers and - to -. The cones moved out as they should. Then it got me thinking along with what Alternator had said. Using this test just means that I know which side of the speaker connections are + and -. It doesn't tell me anything about whether the system's wires are connected properly.
I went back to square 1 with RF's people. They asked how I determined which wires were + and - on the factory wiring. I said the internet from this group AND I called Mazda myself and their people looked it up and said the wires on each side of the rear have one with a continuous stripe and this was the ground or - wire. The RF guy thought for a while and said, well, Ron, this is a long shot, but it's possible that while the striped wire is SUPPOSED to be ground or -, when my particular car was built, it might have been inadvertently connected to the + output on the head system. He said that or maybe it was connected correctly at the head but flip-flopped at some point down the wire if there were other connections between the head output and the speaker. He said he did not know whether Mazda ran one single unbroken wire all the way or not so this was a possibility.
He said there are devices used to determine whether a wire is putting out + or - but I didn't have one. I went out and swithed the wires to both speakers. No bass. I then put the passenger side back to the way they were before. No bass. I then put the driver's side back to what I thought was correct (striped wire to - as Mazda said) and hooked the passenger's side with the stiped wire to +, which Mazda said would be wrong. BINGO !!!!! It was night and day.
Apparently, the striped wire on the passenger's side on my car is putting out a + signal! It's not supposed to be that way, but that's what's going on. Now the car sounds great. I can truly say it was worth the effort in the end, but HEL_ getting there!
So, my problem is solved and I'm enjoying the sound finally. My thanks to you all for the input along the way. Zooooooooom!!!
Ron B.
Glad to hear it. You had me worried for a while there. I really didn't want to add an amp. I'll be sure to look out for that potential problem. So, it sounds like the clearance above the rear speakers is fine with the model 6x9s you purchased. I am not sure I trust Crutchfield's assertions about that anyway. When I go to install, I am going to measure it myself and let them know if they are wrong. Wish me luck!
I do not know which Jetta engine you have. I thought about it and realized that the 4 cylinder engines would probably not have to be removed to replace the water pump like my VR6 had to. So if you have the 1.8T or 2.0L, you are cool (probably). BTW, I understand that on the 1st Gen Grand Cherokee V8s they had to do the same thing. It comes from putting a large engine into too small a space.
http://specials.carview.msn.co.uk/autoshow/geneva/photocats/Day_One/default.asp?selected=DayOne
Picture 7 is the unveiling of the front end. In pictures 10 & 11, you can see the rear end in the background.
Meade
Meade
When I got in my Pro this morning, my g/f had to put a box in the trunk. It opened alright, but when I shut it, the trunk just popped back up! It is so cold that the latch wasn't catching!! Well, she eventually pushed down hard on the trunk and it stayed shut.
The Pro started great, but all the buttons on the dash were so cold that they were barely able to move. For example, when I pushed in the defrost button, it felt like I was pushing on jello or something like that. Also, the temperature dial moved very sluggishly.
So what's my point? My point is that it's freaking cold up here!!!
pf: do u plug your car in at all?? this morning, i plugged it in for an hour, and it was STILL a bit sluggish to start! btw, do u go to kramer to get your oil changed? or do u do it yourself? i've got my 2nd coming up and i don't wanna hafta drive all the way to north hill to get it done...
'duh'
In regards to oil changes, I get mine done at Midas...remember that whole oil changes for life deal? Unless the dealership is offering free oil changes that is. My last oil change was done at the dealership solely because it was free.
Shrique
And what should he expect in return for them making him waste a bunch of time?
New visors? A couple of oil changes? A t-shirt?
Nothing, because it was 'an honest mistake'?
Just trying to figure out how this whole thing works....
--Dale
I don't know what the big deal is with correcting mistakes though. They fixed something totally wrong on my mother's car once. She took it in for the driver's seat motor, and they replaced the one in the passenger's seat instead (the part was like $400 or something). She made them take the car back right then and there, give her a rental, and got the problem fixed. They never even gave her as much as a courtesy call after the car was ready.
Yep, things seem to be finally thawing out here, as well. After that wicked weather we had over the weekend, it's about 50 here today...contemplated opening the roof on the way to work, but then reminded myself that 50 isn't 70.
Otherwise, they will keep giving out bad info and that person will think they can always slack off and guess at it.
I used to let things slide all the time, but that just means things never get better. Give feedback.Just like telling the folks at crutchfield that they were right, tell the Mazda folks they are idiots.
N E way, why does a person always want restitution when none is due. Maybe we've forgotten the meaning of "I'm sorry" and "I was wrong".
Meade
P.S. Scion
So what do we throw around here when someone gets married in a Civic? Mashed Potatoes?
Meade
I'll email you about 8962
"Do not let the windshield wiper fall and hit the windshield" (Or something very close to that). I thought that was quite humerous as the mechanic did the exact opposite of that. Anyway, just fyi.
This past Christmas, after at least a decade's hiatus, I finally got to sing "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me ... a beer" again, and then we all sat around for a rousing game of "beer hunter." And instead of reciting "The Night Before Christmas" at bedtime, we all listened to that sad but redeeming tale of "Ralph the Dog."
I bet I've got more than a few of you saying, "HUH?"
Hee hee ....
Meade