Mazda6 Maintenance and Repair

jradack

Have you actually listened to the sterio in a Mazda 6s? I read from other discussion groups that the problem stems from the amplifier not putting enough power to the rear speakers. If it is an attempt and hifidelity, it is a failure to my ears.

ashutoshsm

... and I don't personally see it as a problem.

I say its an amp issue because people who've changed the speakers and added amps (as I will, and anyone should, when I can afford it) have confirmed the 4 speakers are identical. The amp doesn't put out too much juice to the rear speakers. You can swap wires and reverse the imaging too (loud rears, mostly dead fronts).

This belongs under accessories and modifications, not problems. Seriously!

jbchapman

I see that a number of Mazda6 owners have reported "clunks" attributed to steering or suspension on low-speed turns.

I have a 6s with auto tran, and I get clunks, usually on a straight course (but sometimes on turns, too). Almost always, they occur when accelerating slowly (as in congested traffic) through the 12-15 MPH range. This leads me to suspect a transmission problem, possibly related to the 2nd-to-3rd gear transition. They never occur when I accelerate strongly through that range.

This started occurring after 8000 mi. on the odometer. No hint of it before then. I'm taking it in to the dealer for a regular service next week and will be asking them to look into it. But the problem is still intermittent, so I am not optimistic about getting a quick resolution.

Has anybody here experienced these symptoms?

jstandefer

Mine has been in for four visits and a total of 20 days for, among many other things, transmission problems. Mine clunks and bangs, is utterly confused, upshifts into 4th at 10mph, and refuses to downshift. None of these problems could be duplicated by the dealership. I should also note that none of these problems happen while in manual mode. But, I believe this tranny (4-cylinder) is the infamous Ford CD4E. The V6 tranny is a Jatco unit.

I would take yours in, although they probably won't find anything. At least get in your vehicle's service history several times... that way, should the tranny fail after the warranty period, you have a leg to stand on when you demand that Mazda picks up the repair bill. That's what I am doing.

chikoo

Why don't you look up your Window Sticker.
It does indicate the country of origin for your transmission.

newcar31

They were not meant to put out any high frequency sounds. They sound muffled because the high frequency sounds are being filtered out and sent to the tweeters. If you could turn the tweeters off in the front, the front speakers would sound the same way. The tweeters in the front are for treble, the rest of the speakers are low and mid range.

It's not a problem. It's not an amp issue. Hasn't anyone ever had component style speakers in their car?

jstandefer

That's a great idea... duh! Wow, I am losing it. Time to run out to the parking lot.

jstandefer

Well, first the good news. The transmission is made in Japan, so it is not the dreaded CD4E. The bad news: the engine is made in Mexico.

chikoo

I dont get it.
You are close to MNAO.
Can't you get some MNAO help on this transmission hesitation thing?

troyben

After only 1 1/2 months of ownership the cloth seats in my 6 are already fraying...does anybody know the latest how Mazda plans to address this? I've seen numerous previous posts related to this.

superbone

Are we talking about a subwoofer here? That's what it sounds like. They aren't supposed to put out highs.

jradack

Its the Rear Door Speakers. They are standard 5x7s just like the fronts. What ever the Mazda folks were trying to accomplish, i.e. "component style", or what ever, what they have accomplished is putting in speaker in the rear doors that do not put out any power or decent sound whatsoever. However for the money they want for the Bose system, you are better off with the standard audio system and put in a good 5 channel amp with a 10" sub in the rear deck.

aromas

troyben: I've been blessed with fraying and rust.

Take it to your dealer. They should have a Mazda Rep look at it and take pictures(like they did mine).

The official line I was told was that there were numerous complaints and they were making a case to H.O. to have a new fabric installed for those affected and it may take several months(I've waited since August). The rep told me that he does not want to put in the same fabric since it may happen again. I agreed since I think these are the worst cloth seats I have ever had.

I'm calling H.O. this week to find out the latest but be prepared to wait awhile.

ian2

I took my door apart to fix the window noise and didn't see any 5x7 speakers. It was a 5 or 6" speaker of good quality. To my ears, the Bose system sounds plenty good. Much better than the stock system anyway.

jradack

Well since I hammered my dealer I need to give them an adaboy for helping me with the rear speaker issue on the Mazda 6 with the stock audio system. The rear speakers by design are only putting out about 20% of the front door speakers. The fix is an amp. So Phillips Mazda is going to give me their cost to go get what ever audio set up I want through Al&Eds AutoSound. Therefore a five channel amp to power the speakers and a sub woofer on the rear deck is going to be the fix. Customer Loyality pays. Way to go Phillips Mazda in Laguna Hills, CA.

jstandefer

What color interior do you have? I have the tan with cloth seats and I looked them over really good this morning and found absolutely no fraying. The gray and tan cloth is the same, but I believe the black cloth with the sport package is a different fabric.

troyben

you might be onto something...my cloth is black. Thanks Aromas for the latest info. My wife has a background in Textiles & Fabrics, and said typically car fabrics are thoroughly tested for abrasion, including sometimes running sandpaper across fabric for durability. Seems like a screwup with a supplier?

superbone

So, let me get this straight. This is only a problem with the stock unit? Not the upgraded Bose system?

jradack

Correct, the problem is with the stock audio system. The Bose system already has an external amp and sub-woofer. The stock system uses the internal amp in the sterio and the design has been weighed in the balances and has been found lacking. I guess it is by design but the power to the rear speakers puts out about 20% of what comes out of the front door speakes and for all intenial purposes the rear door speakers are worthless. You don't hear them unless you fade it to the rear to about R6; then the sound quality goes way down.

aromas

My seats have black cloth as well. Next time I'm at the dealer I'll check the other colors for different fabric. The things you learn from the internet, I never would of thought about checking the lighter colored seats for something like that.

dodgeguy1

I have posted several times about the very bad smell that our 6s was making, regardless of the gas we used. This problem had persisted for several thousand miles. About two weeks ago Mazda replaced the exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters and 02 sensors, and so far it seems to have cured the smell problem. The representative from Mazda USA that I spoke to indicated the converters were of a different chemical makeup designed to combat the sulphur smell problem. Time will tell if it is the final answer, but so far, so good.

seaf

I've got the gray cloth seats, bought in early august and it is fraying at the side bulge and side backsupport. They're rubbed when I get in and out of the car mostly. I thought about putting seat covers on them, but they would block the side airbags. I hope mazda comes up with a fix for this, like replacing them with a more durable cloth.

bullmoosey

Has anyone found a source for replacement (non-factory) brake pads?

The amount of sticky black dust build-up from the stock pads is ridiculous. This isn't a Mazda problem - many new and upscale cars (BMW, M-B, Jag) are using carbon-metallic pads. You can tell by their black front wheels! These perform well and minimize squealing but in my opinion are not worth it.

I had a 93 Probe GT (built in Flat Rock) for 10+ years, installed Midas organic pads which typically lasted 80-90K (highway) miles and never saw any dust or had any performance problems.

I've checked and can't find aftermarket pads for the 6S. I know the 6 is a new model but replacing the pads is the only real solution. Anyone know a source?

accord7

Someone posted awhile back that the 04 models would have a better material for the cloth seats. I saw a couple at my local dealer today, they look exactly like the 03's. I guess the fraying issue is not widespread enough for Mazda to alter them.

barryso

"Well, first the good news. The transmission is made in Japan, so it is not the dreaded CD4E. The bad news: the engine is made in Mexico."

The 1989 Mercury Tracer (aka Mazda 323) I had for 95,000 miles was built in Mexico. It had nothing replaced or fixed but standard wear items (wipers, tires, breaks).

I had been nervious about it coming from Mexico at the beginning but that proved unfounded.

rkf1976

Should I be concerned that I average around 15 mpg in my 6s. It's AT and I am generally stuck in traffic during the week, (all city driving).

It seems to be closer to 18-20 mpg when driving in normal conditions, (still suck-Metro Detroit), and closer to 25 mpg on the freeway.

Just curious if anyone else has to fill up their tank after only going 220 miles???

livaudais

Your mileage sounds like it's on the low end of normal, but still normal, for your driving conditions. I have a 1.5 mile commute (poor me :-)) to work; when all I do is commute to/from work, I get about 19 mpg. Throwing in some highway miles helps the average a lot.

CL

rkf1976

Thanks for the reassurance. Still seems really low to me, but I love the car too much to consider it a major let down!

kstu

My 6i MT gets 25-27 locally and 32 for interstate driving. But then, that's one reason I opted for the 4 rather than the v6.

jstandefer

I only get 320 miles per tank in my 6i auto, which works out to 21mpg combined city/hwy (15 gallons used). My normal driving is 90% hwy. If I knew I was going to get such bad mileage, I would have gotten the V6! In comparison, my 99 Protege ES 5-spd got 380 miles per tank (30mpg, 12.5 gallons used) in the same conditions, but driven much, much harder (the 6i auto doesn't like to be driven hard, so I don't). For me, the fuel mileage has been a big let down... but, considering my unresolved drivetrain problems, I'm sure something is wrong.

dondilio

Hey guys any info on the claking sound coming from the suspension?

newcar31

I used to get 25 mpg in my 2001 Protege ES manual and I get 25 mpg in my 2003 Mazda6i manual.

jstandefer

The rust issue has pretty much removed all oxygen from the room (or was that the fires here?). I have not heard any updates on the suspension/steering front... I'll keep my eyes peeled.

mes58

"The rust issue has pretty much removed all oxygen from the room"

Hmmm, according to my high school chemistry you need oxygen to have rust. Does that mean that all the rust experienced by unfortunate owners like myself has exhausted the oxygen supply in this room? Of course that will be good news for prospective new owners. No more oxygen means no more rust .

sdixoninwp

I've had the rotors on my 6i serviced 3 times. The first time, the front rotor were resurfaced; the second time, they were replaced along with the brake pads; and the third time, the rear rotors were resurfaced. And now I get this weird grinding sound (intermittently) whenever the car comes to a stop. In addition, I had a problem with a rattling sound in the overhead console area and my dash clock keeps loosing time. The dealer has fixed the rattling issue, for now. And I'm waiting to have a new radio unit installed which should fix the clock problem. I've only had this car for 6 months and I'm ready to call it quits. I think this car could continue to have problems. I'm going to look into my rights under the Maryland State Lemon Law. Has anyone else had similar problems and decided to contact Mazda/ envoke the Lemon Law?

bullmoosey

Only "problem" I've had with my 6S brakes is a lot of sticky black dust. No noise or performance problems. How much mileage do you have?

Still looking for replacement non-factory (organic) pads. Anyone know a source?

mike6758

I have a black 6s with no upgraded options (no bose, leather seats, spoilers, etc)

2 problems (car has 11,000 miles)
purchased in mid march 03

1. My black cloth passenger seat is fraying on the right side of the lower cushion, all of the other seats in the car are fine, which is odd, because 90% of the time I ride in the car alone, and this is the passenger seat. I might suspect rubbing on the material when the infrequent passenger sits there, but still, the car isn't that old and the seats should be better than that.

Has anybody has their seats replaced? I was thinking if the dealer didn't have a replacement for the cloth to try to hit them to replace the seats with black leather...worth a try?

2. Rear speakers from stock system have hardly any volume...I don't want to spend a lot of time going with all aftermarket parts, so how should I bargain with the dealer on this one...?

troyben

I also have black cloth seats & have fraying on the drivers seat plus a little on passenger side where my wife infrequently sits. Have had car about month & half. Other posters have also complained of same problem, and so far seems to be prevalent with black cloth. I am going to bring it up with service rep when I bring it in for 1st oil change. Let us know what happens on your end.

ian2

Has anyone tried waxing the rims? I did that and it doesn't seem that bad now.

glideslopes

I keep a coat of Nu-Finish on the rims of my 6s. I simply wipe the brake dust off every few days. It takes 3-4 min. The brake dust is common on many high performance vehicles these days.

Mark.

culloty

I have a manual 6S that is pulling right. It’s currently back in the dealers service dept. for the second time. They’ve had it this time for 2 days. When I took it back I suggested they test-drive it. I noticed that at least 3 other people who post to this board have been wrestling with this problem but I didn’t see any messages saying their issues had been resolved. I think that in a Problems and Solutions section each problem should have it’s own thread. That way we can see how prolific a problem is. I’m a newbie to boards in general. How do I get in touch with people who have my pulling problem?

By the way, thanks to all of those who’ve posted before. I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot.
Oh yeah, I’m also getting 13 mpg in very careful city driving. Seems a bit low.

bullmoosey

Yes, I've also put on a coat of Nu-Finish. It doesn't make any less dust though, just protects the alloys from pitting. All disk brakes must create dust as the wear the pads but the dust doesn't have to be black and it doesn't have to be oily and sticky like these new carbon metallic pads make.

If the pads were switched to organic based compounds like EBC Green the dust would not stick to the wheels and the cleaning would be only to remove road dirt. Its bad news when your car makes itself dirty as you drive.

loupie

I'm getting 440 - 460 miles per tank consistently (28 - 29 miles per gallon). This isn't too bad, but manufacturers should be doing much better.

mazdafun

And the NA market seems to just love heaps of horsepower so they can rear-end people harder. Never mind that a generous and flat torque curve is more useful than peak horsepower. Thrust/mass is the important figure, but most people don't like doing division.

buggywhip

Any 4cyl mated to an autotranny always returns somewhat disappointing mileage. The autobox robs a lot of engine energy. Add a/c-defroster use and mileage drops even more. I think 21-23mpg (city) is perfectly acceptable for the 6i automatic. Hwy mileage should be at least 30mpg, given the OD top gearing.

deedee13

I got a notice and coupons from my Mazda dealership for 7500 mile maintenance. It says I should change my trans fluid and get a "full fuel injection cleaning." It will only cost $210 + tax. They have GOT to be kidding - it's barely broken in!! Does this car need this service every 7500 miles? Also, two rock hits on the freeway have made two deep gouges in the paint but no dents. My attempts at touch-up were poor at best. The bump-shop at the dealership wasn't much better - they said repainting the hood was the best option for only $200. Anybody know a cheaper solution? The best features on my Mazda6s are the super-solid handling and freeway-merging and passing which seem effortless. Zoom-zoom!

mazdafun

They're just trying to drive up profits by scaring owners.

Transmission fluid should get changed every 3 years or 30,000 miles, if you're interested in its longevity. Many owners NEVER have this done. Of course, this may be why some transmissions die after about 40,000 miles, but they may also be faulty transmissions as it tends to be concentrated in specific units.

And it's pretty difficult to find "junk" gasoline in the US any more, thanks to regulation. Unless there's something wrong with your engine, your fuel injectors should stay pretty clean.

The paint issue is more complex. How good do you want it to look afterwards? A total repaint for $200 is not bad, if they do good work. If you're not that fussy, then spend some time and care filling in the gouges with touch-up paint, putting on multiple thin coats. Use a fine-tipped art brush, not the one that comes with the touch-up paint. You'll have much more control then. A decent art brush will run you about $2.50.

cyberdyne

I was thinking of buying a Mazda 6s. Test drove it, thought it was great car with excellent power. Does anyone know if they will ever fix problem. I'm thinking of going with a VW Jetta.

mazda6s

Dealers make most of their money in service, not sales. Get it? You should have a service schedule in your owners manual, so go by that.

chikoo

but as a caution, do ask the dealer, and check under the weatherstrip to be sure.

there ain't anything that comes close to the MZ6 for the price.