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Comments
Bruno
I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to give this feature a try one of these days.
for me, the speed of the car is more stable (due to car's inertie) than the rpm, and it just make me freek out that the steering assist power could change as quick as the rpm (when shifting back the gear), which can introduce some unpredictable behavior of the steering for the conductor. My P5 is still in the break-in period. After that, I might try to push the engine to rpm greater than 5000 for passing. I wonder what happens if I want to shift back for passing others cars? I think I better experiment it a couple of time with few extra safety distance before knowing better how it will perform.
Thanks for your comments,
Bruno
Most high-end cars have vehicle speed-sensitive steering where the amount of power applied to the steering gear is inverse to vehicle speed, i.e., lower the speed, the more assist given. At high speeds, there is little need for power assist, and little is given. That makes more sense to me.
there is something in your explanation that I don't really understand. If the power steering pump is driven by the engine, then the assist power will be greater when the rpm increases. Which is the opposite to what it should be. IMHO, either the assist power should be monitored by the rpm, or either there is some design trick in order to reverse the sensitivity. Can you please clarify this issue to me?
Thanks,
Bruno
Thanks,
-Terry
I though the outcome of the debate is pretty clear, and I'm not sure what you imply exactly in your question. But here again what I think:
The main purpose of power-assist steering is mainly helping the conductor to manoeuvrer the car. When the speed is low (e.g., in the parking place), the conductor need the most of assistance, whereas at the higher speed, it's better to have very little assistance since all suddle change of the steering are bad, and steering should be performed slower and smoother in order to keep the car stable. Therefore the vehicle-speed-sensitive power assist steering serve perfectly its purpose. At the lower-end, a constant power-assist works just fine if the steering-power is calibrated correctly by the designer. However, Albert and I have problems with the concept of steering with assist power driven directly by the engine (RPM sensitive). The steering is indeed power-assist, but the degree of assistance is varying in the opposite way of what it should be, assuming that the engine RPM is correlated with vehicle speed. If it serves another purpose, then I haven't found yet one reason which makes sense.
My opinion is that the RPM sensitive steering is the [non-permissible content removed] step child of vehicle speed sensitive steering. It's not all bad as you most likely want the power assist at lower RPMs, but vehicle speed sensing steering is much more in tune with the driver's needs. I think the difference would be most noticeable when you are starting a quick right turn from a stop and the torque steer from the FWD wants to pull the wheels straight assuming equal traction. With RPMs up, you'll have less assist to overcome that torque steer.
Try the above experiment with the cheesy, so called improvements to the new Civic, and you'll get very different results. The crappie feel of the new Civic is what broke a 15 year cycle of Civic ownership for me.
Whether It's cheap or not, the car handles better than any other car I've driven in the past or test drove before I decided on the P5. There are many factors involved in automotive roadworthiness, than this issue in of itself. For what the car is and how much it costs, It kicks butt! The only way to really settle this issue is to take two Protegé's, equip one with the Speed Sensing Power Assist Steering and test them in equal conditions. Outside of this reality, the only alternative is to compare it the competition.
Except for the Jetta, there were no other competing models, which offered the ride and handling I found in the P5.
thank you for let us know the test concerning the steering power-assist on P5. How do you feel about the steering at high RPM? easier or harder?
Thank you,
Bruno
PS: I read somewhere a test-drive of the Mazda Protege, where the reviewer claimed the steering can loss momentarily its assist power in a very quick slalom situation.
Thanks for your feedback gentlemen.
Phoenixmp5,
Thanks for "taking it to the streets". My MP5 is yet to be delivered and your glowing review has me even more excited to take her out for the first time. Having driven German cars (Scirocco, Corrado G60) for over 10 years prior to my current car (97 Protege LX) I'll be curious to find out how German the MP5 feels.
My Protege has been a very reliable car and that is why I am staying with Mazda, but although it handles well for it's class, it can't compete with my old Corrado (nor did I expect it too).
-Terry
My dealer ordered a wind deflector which attaches in front of the sunroof. The dealer cost for this item is approximately $40 to $45. I paid the cost at my dealer of $42.00.
I find it reduces the noise by at least 60 to 75%.
There is always going to be some wind noise just like there is when you open your windows.
This wind deflector is an economical way to cut the noise level without having to remove the roof rack. It is the same model that fits on the sedan.
It installs with two clamps (no drilling) and takes about 10 minutes to install.
Good luck on your p5 arrival date! I've been waiting 5 weeks so far and they don't even have a VIN number yet.
I definitely feel a stiffening of the steering at higher RPM's. The car is still easy to control and maintains its confident feel. I haven't heard anything, nor experienced any loss of Power Assist, as you expressed above.
I've only put 1300 miles on the vehicle in 5 weeks, which is a drop in the bucket. I've read most owner reviews on Carpoint's page for all Protege's 99 and up, and no-one reported any such concern. Then again, no-one reported driving through a slalom course either!
Maybe someone with a 5 speed can test the car with high RPM turns and passes. The harder shifts of a manual transmission may provide very different results.
Take care,
Ryan
It's interesting you should mention the Scirocco and Corrodo! These cars are what the P5 reminded me of when I first saw it. I'd be curious to read about what you think "German or not" when you take delivery of your car.
If I remember correctly, body-sway, was one of the things which plagued the Scirocco. The Corrodo on the other hand was a great handling vehicle. I drove the Jetta with the 16" wheel package and it was a real nice ride... I'm sure the 17" wheels and sport tuned suspension would have the expected results. With the exception of the roof-rack noise at high speeds, the P5 delivered many of the same qualities as the Jetta.
The Jetta felt heavier, which was no surprise! It weighs an average of 800 pounds more depending on options and engine configurations.
Keep us posted
Ryan
Thank you.
Remove the glove box first by opening it and then pressing in on both sides of the box to release the stopper. Next pull the driver's side of the box toward the rear of the car and once that side of the box is out, slide the box to the drivers side to remove it completely.
With your right arm, reach inside the dash and around to the inside of the center panel. Facing the dash, you want to push on the clip located at the bottom right of the panel. once you have that corner started, you can carefully pull out the remaining 6 clips. If the metal portion of the clip remains attached to the dash, take them out and put them back in place on the center panel.
To replace it, just push it back into place.
Out of curiosity, are you trying to remove the radio? If so, it can easily be done without removing the center panel.
I think they list the "expiration" because as you are seeing, some folks will think its expiring and thus rush in to take advantage of the rebate.
Read from Mazda US website:
[ ...This Twin Trapezoidal Link (TTL) rear suspension of the P5 controls toe-in toe-out to subtly "steer" the rear wheels, helping to ensure they maintain maximum road contact...]
The same kind of toe-in toe-out technology appeared first (?) on the Citroen ZX, and later on the Xsara (they called it "suspension arriere auto-directionnelle" or "auto-steering rear suspension" in english). Peugeot probably adopted the same kind of suspension on the 306 and the brand new 307 model. All those cars are considered as references in term of handling in their class. I own the Citroen ZX Aura 1.8l in France, and it's amazingly how easy to drive this car, it takes a corner like no-other cars.
I'm happy to see that Mazda can compete with them in term of advance technology and design for suspensions. No wonder the P5 handling is soo great!
Bruno
http://www.walmart.com
Do a search for: Scosche DIN Radio Removal Tool
I'd post a direct link but Edmunds software won't allow it for length.
The ends are a little different than the OEM tool, but it looks like it should work. Don't forget that you'll need 4 tools, so two sets to get the job done.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=3947&product_id=870835&path=0:3944:3947:4429&dept=3944
Just for fun, I stopped at my local White-Trash-Mart and picked up a set of those tools. So I guess I can say that your local store should have them too.
Soooo,... I'm not the only one.
http://pub70.ezboard.com/bprotegepower
Here is a New Protege forum
and it already has 14 members
and we need more members
i would like to welcome you to join us
Here's hoping you get as much enjoyment out of your new P5 as the others seem to.
The RAV4 is an attractive vehicle if you're looking for a compact SUV, but the rear bumper design does warrant concern.
That wagon (I almost forgot it wasn't a car, it handles SO well) handles amazingly well!
Congratualtions to all buyers on their purchase!
If I needed a wagon, I know which one I'd buy!
On a side note, on some really sharp turns at speed, and abrupt lane changes, I felt the TTL (suspension-steering on the rear) kick in. Familiar feeling, I have a 95 DX - but WAY better feel! The suspension and the low-profile tires help it handle really well!
The 2.0 engine doesn't rev as happily as the 1.8 from older Proteges (ES), but definitely has more torque and power that you can feel. Its a little slow to kick in - almost like a turbo!
The interior is excellent, by small car standards, and I, for one, like the copper/silver trim as mush if not more than the black trim from last year's models (ES).
In short, all superlatives for a Nice Nice car. And the salesperson was pretty nice to let me try it (cosidering I service my 95 Pro there all the time, including my recent 60K mile service!).
Again, for people considering wagons in this price range, that don't nearly need an SUV, this is the one to buy!
-ashu