Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Dinu: Now will your tint fade and have to be reapplied every few years or will it last longer. Alcjew posted a site that says tint only lasts several years. Mazdamarla mentioned that manufacturers tint is about 50%, does Mazda apply it the same way or is there a different way to do it as the car is being built that will last longer.

    I'm assuming from your car that 35% is legal for both front and back on Ontario.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I can't find my scanner's AC connector, so I can't post any pics. No digital camera either - that's my next big purchase BTW.

    They have many cars already tinted at FX, waiting to be picked up. Just show up and ask to see a few cars with different tinting %s, sit inside, close the doors and see if you liked it. It took me 2 days to get used to the darkler interior, but with 35%, it is light compared with what you usually see on the streets.

    Dinu
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    They guaranteed it for the life of the car. If it bubbles or fades, they will replace it free of charge. It hasn't bubbled or faded in almost 2 yrs and 57K. I'm not concerned at all. The quality of the film is good. It's not the stuff they sell at Canadian Tire. I don't know of any other method that will last longer - I think it will last.

    Dinu
  • combustible1combustible1 Member Posts: 264
    It might be a good idea, for those of us in states that outlaw front window tinting, to get a darker rear window tint, and choose the lightest tint for the front window.

    This way, the perception would be that there is no extra tint up front even when there is, because it looks so light compared to the back.

    But there's still the problem of aesthetics.. might look funky to some. funky=bad. bad=not good.

    All these words with positive/negative double meanings!
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    that's why I'm back to my old "indecisiveness" ... about the tinting.

    If anyone has any questions about window tinting or lots of other stuff (remote car starters, alarms, car finishes/waxes, etc.), check out the website of this place I called yesterday...

    www.automacs.com
    Look in the "Automac's Facts" and the "Special Reports" tabs. Lots of links and info.

    Lots of FAQs are addressed, not just about tinting, as they offer a myriad of other services and installations. Very informative site. :)
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    IMO tinting looks so much better if it's a uniform shade especially on a sedan. The 2 different shades are passable on a minivan or SUV.

    Thanx dinu, I'll go check out it when the weather warms a little and decide then. Much easier to to ask you for references than to look in the yellow pages.

    One pet peeve about the 6. Man those rims(especially the front ones) get dirty quickly, I'm wiping those things every day because I can't stand to look at dirty rims and spending a fortune on those rim wipes. If that's the only complaint I have then I guess I'm a lucky man.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    Anyone out there work at an automotive manufacturer??

    When you get a new car, sometimes you can opt for the Privacy Glass, i.e. window tinting on some of the windows when you are ordering it. Like my husband's Silverado - he ordered it with the back window tinted. And you see it a lot on SUVs and Minivans too.

    My question....is that window tinting, when done at the manufacturer, a film similiar to what is applied aftermarket? Or is the glass itself shaded during the glass manufacturing process?

    Just wondering...
  • barrysobarryso Member Posts: 66
    "When you punch "Auto" and set a temp, most systems take control over all four. It will maintain a set temp and humidity level, cycling the compressor on/off as required. It doesn't run the compressor continously - it runs it as needed to meet temp and humidity constraints."

    The thing thats different about the Mazda6 automatic climate control is that it always seems to have the air conditioner light "on". This doesn't necessarily mean the compressor is running (but it sure seems to suggest that the compressor is running all the time).

    This morning, for example, the AC light was on when the temperature was about 40 degrees. Other ACC systems only seem to have the AC on when they are set to defrost.

    So when it seem unnecessary to have the AC running it gets switched off.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Actually that tint is between the panes of glass. I think it's a film of some sort, but the glass could be dyed too. It's generally not made as dark as an aftermarket tint can be (ie. not as dark as a limo tint-->5%).
  • cookie01cookie01 Member Posts: 369
    Last night, driving down a street very near my home, I saw a Redfire M6 w/sport!!! Oh MY that's a beautiful car.
    I'd not seen the Redfire w/sport at ALL before I bought my grey. Dang... that's an awesome looking car.
    Car had no plates and looked fresh off the lot. Would be funny if he/she lived in my neighborhood and was inspired by my purchase... ha!

    Also, the weather is getting a bit warmer here and in the afternoons I find myself taking the windows down a bit.
    Anyone else notice a bit of a rattle when you close a door w/ the window down? It's probably nothing, but it sounds like the window is a bit loose on the passenger side front.
    I'll keep listening and take it in if it gets worse.
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    I guess I dunno what's going on with these Mazda A/C systems. If a system has an A/C button and it's switched off then the compressor shouldn't run.

    If Mazda's system does, this is screwed up. I apologize for any confusion on my part.

    - Mark
  • barrysobarryso Member Posts: 66
    "If a system has an A/C button and it's switched off then the compressor shouldn't run."

    When the A/C button is off the compressor is off.

    The oddity is that turning the auto climate control to "on" always seems to turn the A/C button on. Even when it is cold outside.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    ...with a painted grill! | Again | Old Chrome Grill
    Largish pictures (before, after, audio, and more) at: http://www.funnyfort.com/images/mazda6/

    image
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    I like that much better than the Sport Grille. For some reason the sport grille doesn't appeal to me - too much plastic or whatever the material is.

    Did you do that yourself, or have someone else do it? How'd they match the paint? Did you have to "prep" the chrome so the paint adheres?
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    It cost $50. They were worried the paint wouldn't stick- we'll see. They extensively sanded the chrome and used extra additives in the paint to help it stick, so we'll see what it looks like next year. The match is perfect- didn't think they could pull of the redfire metallic color so well!
  • ambullambull Member Posts: 255
    Why the heck didn't Mazda paint it that way in the first place? It looks much better. Congratulations! I also wondered about the paint sticking to the chrome and figured it would have to be sanded.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    I'm in the process of buying a grille from someone who bought the sports grille to do the very same thing.

    I like this solution better than the Sports Grille. Especially for yellow.
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    If all 6's had painted grills, then they'd have to paint and inventory 12 different grills at the factory. With chrome, a single part goes on every car.

    Chrome is also more durable. This is an area of the car that is likely to get a lot of debris. Paint here is probably not going to hold up as well.

    Finally, lots of folks like chrome, witness the chrome highlights on many cars, particularly the latest generation Passat.

    So I think Mazda's approach is probably right - do the low cost thing that the majority of people like and give folks an option if they want to spend more for paint (or let them paint it themselves as this gentleman has done).

    - Mark
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    With the chrome it looked like it had a mustache, now it just looks like it's grinning at you.
    Ha, maybe it is.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    proved lucky....why change something...thought mazda.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    All this conjecture on the ACC and the air conditioner compressor running (or not) got really annoying.

    I sent a message to Mazda and asked the question: When the ACC is on, does the compressor run constantly? And the answer, verbatim:

    "I was advised by my Product Planning contact that if the auto climate control is on, the compressor will cycle, so it is not turned on
    constantly. However, if you just push the A/C button the compressor will stay on the entire time the button is pushed."

    End of discussion. NEXT!!!
  • barrysobarryso Member Posts: 66
    "if the auto climate control is on, the compressor will cycle, so it is not turned on
    constantly"

    Excellent idea asking Mazda for info!

    "End of discussion. NEXT!!!"

    If we paint our chome grill the same color as the body paint will the A/C stay on all the time?

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

    Hey Stretch, nice job on the grill. The red is absolutely beautiful.
  • duskduskduskdusk Member Posts: 10
    By the time you're done with your car you'll have built an "i" into an "S". When's the turbo going in...? :)
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "End of discussion. NEXT!!!"

    Not quite. If the Mazda6 operates at all like my Protege, the A/C compressor will run even when you aren't in "auto" mode or using the A/C or defrosting.

    For example:

    If your Mazda6 is like my Protege, your A/C compressor will run when you are using heat for the floor, even when you are in "manual" mode. I don't understand why there is all this confusion about the auto climate control. This issue has nothing to do with the auto climate control.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    The original question as I understood it was whether it ran constantly in auto-mode or not. The A/C light comes on - leading many to believe the compressor is always on. It isn't.

    Personally, I couldn't care less about manual mode - I've never used it during 4,000 miles & through a couple of snow storms, monsoons and 80 degree days. I'm not kidding - I set it and have never had to touch it since.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Mud Guards should come tomorrow to fill out the rear wells.

    I hope to put on the MazdaSpeed or Eibach springs to stiffen and lower the ride a bit (more to my liking). I have a feeling that once I really get comfortable flinging this car around with summer tires, body roll will be much more pronounced.

    I wouldn't mind more top-end power past 5k, but down low it's fine, and I'll probably see what breather mods do for others. I'll probably spring for a new intake once my current filter has expired.

    That's it. This will always be an "underpowered", fuel-efficient 4cyl, but with wicked-handling.

    Of course, if someone wants to buy me a turbo...
  • skyrayskyray Member Posts: 156
    Everyone keep painting your grills, so my chrome lip becomes unique, okay? :-)

    I tend to dislike most chrome -- I think the Acura TSX looks totally retro-70s with its lame chrome around the windows. But I like the lip on the 6. Very understated -- nothing chrome on the car but the lip and logos.

    Now, that chrome accent kit you can add? THAT's tacky.

    Hey, have I mentioned how much I like my Mazda 6's MP3 yet today? ;)
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Ah, I see. That's not my question though. You had a good idea about e-mailing MUSA, so I just did too. Here's my question:

    I have a question regarding my 2001 Protege ES 2.0L. I noticed that the A/C compressor is cycling when it shouldn't be. With all of my previous vehicles, the A/C compressor would only operate when a cooling or defrost setting was selected. With my Protege, if I set my HVAC controls to blow heat on the floor, I can hear and feel the A/C compressor cycling on and off. According to my local dealership, this is normal. My question is why does the A/C compressor need to be operating in settings other than cooling/defrosting? It seems like an unnecessary waste of gas and power. Thanks in advance for the answer
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    I love my car. Just love it.

    I still prefer my motorcycle whenever possible - but driving is not nearly the compromise itt was with cars of the past when jumping into the 6.

    I look forward to driving it - not just using it as a means of transportation.

    Zoom-zoom has meaning. And what better way to say than "Drive it. You'll know."
  • barrysobarryso Member Posts: 66
    "if the auto climate control is on, the compressor will cycle, so it is not turned on
    constantly"

    Excellent idea asking Mazda for info!

    "End of discussion. NEXT!!!"

    If we paint our chome grill the same color as the body paint will the A/C stay on all the time?

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

    Hey Stretch, nice job on the grill. The red is absolutely beautiful.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    Did you get that annoying dent fixed yet?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    A/C always cycles....if the compressor always stays on, you will be without a compressor in less than the time it takes u to get from DC to Philly.

    Keep that in mind.
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    Here is a question for those of you who used toughguard on your 6 or any other car.
    Does it provide a smooth coating on the paint (ie similar to what a wax does), so that it is easier to wash off bird drops, pollen, road grime etc.? I know it provides protection for UV rays, corrossion, but I also wanted to know if it makes it easier to wash off things that stick to the paint.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I am not saying that my compressor is constantly running. It DOES cycle though when it shouldn't.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    Can you elaborate. I have no clue as to what you're calling foul on. I'm serious - what are you talking about?
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Did you get that annoying dent fixed yet?

    Nope, I intentionally went to a body shop to get both that done and my grill painted. The guy said the little gadget he had to pop out dents (essentially a "Ding King") wasn't very good, but he'd try at no charge.

    Didn't work. I think he got rid of the recession, but not the crease in its center.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    u posted ruefus Apr 17, 2003 1:15pm

    >>>I sent a message to Mazda and asked the question: When the ACC is on, does the compressor run constantly? And the answer, verbatim:

    "I was advised by my Product Planning contact that if the auto climate control is on, the compressor will cycle, so it is not turned on
    constantly. However, if you just push the A/C button the compressor will stay on the entire time the button is pushed."

    End of discussion. NEXT!!! <<<

    I say:
    If this happens, your compressor will be toast!!!

    if you push the A/C button the compressor will CYCLE the entire time the button is pushed."

    It will stop cycling when you stop the button.

    It will not however be active at all if the ambient temp is below freezing(or some other temp close to freezing), but the light will still come on indicating YOUR option of having the A/C come on if the conditions are right.

    The light is just an IDIOT light. It has only one meaning:
    ON -> you have chosen the option to run the A/C
    it does not mean the compressor will run. It may, it may not. It will depend upon the ambient temp, the cabin temp, refrigerant pressure, et al.

    OFF-> You have opted not to run the A/C. So it will not run.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    MUSA refered me to the dealership. I called the dealership again and this is what they told me:

    Whenever you are using the climate control in ANY setting, the A/C compressor might cycle. The reason is to reduce moisture in the HVAC system so that mold doesn't grow and your car doesn't stink like sweat socks. Good idea, I just wish I had some control over it.

    Sooooo....if you don't want your A/C compressor to cycle, you have to turn off the system completely.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    Seems to me we're in the same place.

    I don't understand why the concept of the compressor running constantly would cause problems. If it's a 90 degree,humid day and you run the A/C all day long while driving (something I've done, and I'm sure many here have) - wouldn't the compressor run nearly non-stop if not non-stop the whole time?
  • accord7accord7 Member Posts: 96
    I drove a 6s 5-speed this morning. I was very impressed with the car. It was quiet, fast, very fast and very, very fast! I was also impressed with the build quality. I took the car on a couple of bumpy side roads and not a single rattle. I can't believe how "German" it felt! The 5-speed felt nearly as good as my Honda. The brakes, oh man, I've never felt brakes like that before. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a street legal go-kart!! I will buy a M6 or an Accord later this year, and I have to say I'm definitely leaning toward the 6. The visibility is better with a clear view over the hood. The seats seem more comfortable and of course the car just plain looks better. My only concerns are resale value and the lower side sills. The M6 has metal sills that could rust prematurely in these midwestern winters. Even though Mazda has put an overcoat of some sort to protect it, I don't believe it will hold up. I'll probably buy it anyway. By the way, can anybody give me a web site where I can look up parts, accessories etc.. for the 6?
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Don't worry about resale, once you buy the 6 you won't even think about selling it for at least 10 years and by then it won't matter.

    Saw a Millenia today which is rare for these parts. Man it is a nice looking car! Can't understand why it never sold better because it always got good reviews. Guess the same reason the 6 isn't taking off in sales, most people drive because they HAVE to not because they WANT to. So sad.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Yes. Nearly Non-stop is OK. Why?
    Read below:
    The thermostatic switch cycles the compressor off when the evaporator gets too cold. The thermostatic switch has a capillary tube that is stuck into the evaporator and picks up a temperature signal that moves an internal electrical switch. This switch makes and breaks electrical power to the compressor clutch. This switch could also be called a defrost switch. With out compressor cycling the evaporator will frost up some times to the point of no air going through the evaporator (no cooling).

    http://www.delanet.com/~pparish/ac_works.htm
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    since mazda6club forum is down, just want to make a quick reminder that the All-Mazda meet is THIS Saturday (4/19) at Sherwood High School in Olney, MD. The meet will probably run from noon to dusk.

    those that already knows, this is old news, but figure maybe some of the new owners in the area may want to come and check it out (and meet some fellow 6 owners too!)

    I'll be there in my dark blue 91 RX-7, shouldn't be hard to find ;-)
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    Ok - Now I get it. That makes perfect sense.

    Thanks for working with me. So in essence, with the ACC on, it sounds as if the compressor will stay OFF unless it's needed to cool the air - but then it will cycle when necessary as it runs to prevent the evaporator from icing over.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    glad I could be of help
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    So, what goes on at a Mazda meet?

    I read there'll be a DJ. Are we going for a drive? A cook-out? What?

    Never done anything like this, not sure what to expect. I asked this before, but I got the less-than-descriptive answer of, "fun!"
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    usually at one of these 'meets', people park their cars and walk around, chatting up with the owners, taking pictures, and generally enjoying the company of your fellow Mazda enthusiasts.

    I guess the organizer dude is gonna have a DJ there, I think he also said there'll be some vendors setting up booths there, hawking their products/services I think

    it's BYOF (Bring your own food), so you decide how you want to take care of lunch :-)

    doubt we'll be doing a drive w/ everyone together, but some may go for a 'run' later on, if you know what I mean ;-)

    should be interesting...
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    accord7: For parts and accessories you can go to:
    http://www.mazdaformance.com
    http://www.dstcommerce.com/development/MazdaParts
    I bet there are other good sites out there but that is all I can think of right now.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Ford made some big announcements at the NY auto show yesterday that concerns the MZ6

    Ford is going to build 10 vehicles off the MZ6 platform including AWD cars and SUV's. They even plan of giving Lincoln two versions. 800,000 units per year off of the MZ6 platform is planned.

    Here is the link to the story and you can also see the Ford version of the MZ6 if you click the link at the bottom of the story. The ford MZ6 is going to be called the Ford Futura.

    http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=5070
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