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I can, when the transmission is cold, make my 2000 shift in a funky way as well. It's repeatable every time. Here's what I do to get that hard shift to happen on command. I can be going up a hill, and then have to let off the gas to turn the corner onto flat terrain, and as soon as I hit the gas again to accelerate, boom! a hard shift! It happens without fail.
So, here's my theory of why the transmissions will do this (some of you have already figured this out, I'll bet). Since the transmission is a 'learning' type (OMG!! SKYNET!!!), in my example it has learned that I am going up hill, hence my foot being planted heavily on the gas pedal. Then, I let up for a second, van slows and then I'm back on the throttle. The TCM hasn't had time to figure out that I'm not on an incline anymore, so shifts as fast as it can to get me back going 'up the hill,' although I'm not needing that kind of action.
It's a theory, at least. Fuzzy logic... is just that, fuzzy.
Oh well, I'm sure Mazda will eventually come up with something.
Steve.
Leslie
Which website I can find information whether the above tire circumference fit to my MPV LX (alloy wheels).
Steve.
More importantly, it is very unlikely that the smaller tire will handle the weight of an MPV. The MPV requires a load rating of at least 94 (was originally spec'd at 92, but they issued a recall and raised the minimum to 94). Since the load rating is mostly dependent on how much air a tire holds, going to a smaller size will reduce the load rating unless the tire is built to be unusually strong and run at higher pressures.
Check your snows for the load rating. I'm almost certain they will NOT work. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Hope this helps,
-brianV
MAX LOAD RATING 560KG (1235LB), can't find any number re your "94", "92" rating.
The tire manufacturer is Gislaved NORD * FROST
on 5 spokes steel wheel size 6J x 15 x 43
1. last built car (April 03).
2. Had a warranty call in September for EC lite. Dealer found a leaky recirculator (not gas cap)system and fixed. Plus he said that they updated both computers. I didn't question why. He said that the Vin # was on a list.. The Fondy Wi dealer (Holiday) has a super duper warranty deparment... I happened to remember there was some bumps when the tranny was cold before the updates. Since the service updates it has shifted smooth as butter for 2500 miles...
3. I try not to make PeeVee mad and pamper it...
Dang Fuzzy Logic, it thinks too much like us...
Tj
Tom......Send some of that heat my way would ya please!!
Thanks!
Leslie
Check out this page:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/speed.htm
The MPV's load rating translates to 1477# per tire. This is consistent with an axle gross weight limit of about 2700# (rear): 1477 x 2 = 2954 > 2700, in case the tires are running a little low on pressure. In other words, they've slightly overspec'd the tires to account for real-world driver's habits...
Strangely, Mazda calls for a 94 load rating on the 15" rims, and 95 for 16" and 17" rims according to the door sticker. I haven't the foggiest idea why they raise the bar for the bigger rims.
I've found even the 215/60R16's in a 95 load rating are rare. Most are only 92. When the OEM's wear out, I'm going to try 225/60's - they typically run a load rating of 97 because they hold more air (larger volume translates to more load capacity, all else held equal).
Since the Ford Exploder fiasko, I've started to pay more attention to these things. Not that the MPV is in any way, shape or form comparable, but it pays to be informed.
Hope this helps,
-brianV
Like, we were in Mexico the other day and DW bought(no prescription required) some Ventlin inhalers for $2.25 each ($75 ea in US) because the US (Al Gore) thinks the the propellent is going to destroy the world....Grand Kid had her braces fixed in Mexico for $150 ($1000 US). Best Dentist(US Harvard trained) I have ever been to.. Lots of Americans leasing property and retiring in Mexico. They come here, we go there..
Go figure.... If I was a Canadian, I would move to Mexico...
Brrrrr, The temp has dropped to 72. Time to get the electric blankets out...
Tj
Boise is chilling down some and I'm sure we're getting ethanol (no MTBE I don't think) at the pump, or soon will be. I'd check for carbon build up on the throttle plate in addition to the injectors, Leslie.
Next stop, Manzanillo!
Steve, Host
Steve: The Govt is forcing the removal of CFC drug propellents off the market. They are being replaced with inhaled spring loaded powder despensers(goofy)that are hard to use.
Leslie: Use Injector cleaner not the Octane booster stuff. One can per full tank...
I'll bet the dealer will say "bad gas, your problem".
Good Luck
Tj
I doubt any of these changes will be buggy since disc brakes have been out for several years on the Japanese MPV.
Now the dealers may not be dealing quite as well at first, but once consumers figure out that it is really the same-ol small van, they will have to deal in order to sell.
Not to disparage the MPV, I love my 2002. But like most other automotive categories, US consumers still have the "bigger is better" mentality.
I just hope that Mazda doesn't give in, and the next fully redone MPV (2006?) will still be smaller and more manuverable (and more stylish)than the rest. For me, if you take the small size, good handling, and stylish exterior away then there are a lot of competitors out there.
The current MPV has very few competitors. Mazda needs to keep it's eyes off the Odyssey and Sienna sales numbers, and compare the MPV sales to short wheelbase GM vans, or Dodge Caravans. Those are it's true competitors.
I am hoping that I will not be forces into a behemoth mammoth for my next minivan purchase.
I was able to start it by jumping it, but each time I stopped anywhere, it wouldn't start. Saturday afternoon I ended up having to call Mazda Roadside to come jump the car. My chincy jumper cables weren't working too well.
Today I took the car back to the dealer where I purchased it and they ended up giving me a loaner car. They just called and said the alternator is bad and that it will be repaired tomorrow. I'm a patient guy, so I'm not too worried yet. I'm just hoping they really solve the problem.
I wouldn't call our ride "choppy"; it's about right. "Ride" has a lot to do with the predominant road conditions where you drive though - if it's pothole city where you drive, stiffer sidewalls might get annoying.
To each his own - I'm really not a "soft ride" kind of guy. I was all over the old Sienna before I actually drove one - it rode like my grandfather's 1985 Cadillac DeVille or my fil's Roadmaster. Horrible. I hate that "floaty" steering-and-suspension-are-numb feeling. And give me a brake pedal that feels like it's actually connected to something, please, no pillow-pedal for me, thanks.
I haven't driven the new Sienna because it's simply too big for my purposes, not to mention the price. It's a personal preference thing...
-brianV
I like the smaller size of our '00 MPV. With one kid, we really don't need a maxi-minivan. But on the (extremely) rare occasion, we need to put people in the back row, and getting back there is difficult with the current width. A little more room between/beside the second row seats would help that out a bunch.
The MPV too small: Geezz, anybody says that should get a school bus. It's funny to watch the Odys and Toys "waddle" down the road and try to find parking..
Tj
Enjoy your new MPV.
Like you, I also don't care for the sloppy, swashbuckling type of ride in any vehicle. However, I don't believe installing touring tires on the MPV would make it handle that much differently. I believe the way a vehicle handles is more a function of the suspension system, not the tires. However, the amount of feel that's transmitted to the passengers from short, choppy bumps such as pot holes, pavement seems, etc., is more a function of the tires rather than the suspension. The stiffer the sidewall, the more that's transmitted through the vehicle. I believe an MPV with touring tires would still outhandle any other minivan on the market because of its suspension. It may lose a bit of its of road hugging ability, but what it would gain in being able to smooth out those choppy bumps would be worth the sacrifice.
I think we're probably talking past each other a bit, too.
"Choppy" to me sounds more like a bad suspension system - one that bounds around alot, like my old Plymouth Sundance did. I envision a small boat struggling through choppy waves. "Harsh", or "stiff" is how I'd term what you're describing. Stiffer sidewalls definately let you know that you just hit something, there's no denying that.
Unless you drive hard, you won't notice the difference between sport tires and touring tires. We drive a lot of twisty mountain roads, and you can tell the difference there, even without pushing it much. For as big and as tall as it is, the MPV really turns a curve.
With only 3000 miles on the odometer, we've got a while to think about it. I'm considering winter tires for next season, since the OEM's will be down a bit by then, and then replacement performance all-season's the following year.
We'll see how it goes. I'll be interested in hearing what you decide to go with in a touring tire.
-brianV
When I asked general questions about how many of these had come through, the writer was vague but just said a lot are starting to come in now.
They did give me a loaner to use for the two days. Again, my jerky shifting was between 1st and 2nd gears from a stop....about 25% of the time.
Always drive a "Lot Queen" around for 45+ minutes and let it sit at the lot then see how quick it starts. If it hesitates then forget it...
As for customer relations, if you believe they care, you must have just got in town on the "Turnip Truck".. It's a Dog eat Dog world out there... Trust nobody...
Mazda has a good warranty and they will fix it.
So you will be ok.. You may want to take it to a different dealer for warranty work. It sounds like the dealer "jimmied" the Battery warning lite..
TRUST Nobody.. "Assume the Worst and you will be right most of the time"
Tj
I took the car into the shop on Monday. It turns out the battery was fine. So, they called me on Monday afternoon and said, "you have a bad alternator and we need to order the part." So, that cost me a whole day in the shop. I expected a call on Tuesday, but it never came. So, around 3pm on Tuesday I called them and they said it would be ready either in the late afternoon or in the morning. They called a short time later and said it would be ready Wednesday, which is today. Well, 2pm came and went and they hadn't called, so I called them and they admitted the alternator wasn't the problem. They replaced it and that didn't solve the problem. So, now they think there's a short circuit which is draining the battery. He said they've been going through "every circuit in the car" to find it and that they've been on the phone with Mazda about it. After chewing-out the shop foreman a little for not notifying me of the situation, he said he would call "first thing in the morning" to let me know the status.
I've considered calling Mazda directly and logging a complaint with them, but I'm not sure that will help the shop do quality work. I don't want them to do a half-hearted job because I've complained about them. However, if tomorrow doesn't go any better than today, I probably will call Mazda. After that, I may think more seriously about contacting a Lemon Lawyer.
I'm trying to be patient and am still hoping they can solve it without doing too much damage to the car :-) It seems likely that if they solve the problem, everything will be fine, but I can't help but stress over it.
Suggestions?
As far as parts for this beast: new wiper inserts are $21 a PIECE! Air cleaner is 19.95; what a deal! I have not been able to find the inserts or air filter in any aftermarket store yet. The dealer stated they may NEVER get them!
What a rip-off. This is getting to smell of a bad deal more than just that sulfur smell and I've only had the vehicle for 6 months.
Oh yeah, the dealer said that the 2004's are just beginning to ship from Japan. See them in late December or January...yippee!
Sorry your so unhappy with your MPV. I've had mine now for 6 months and with the exception of the sulfer smell which never came back, I've had no probs. and am really happy with my MPV.
Good Luck!
Leslie
I'm not sure if I can post a link without aggravating the gods around here, so let me try this - do a google search on "mazda stuff" - I bet you get lucky.
Air cleaner is $16.95, oil filters are $4.95. I bought the OEM dash speakers to bump the stock 4-speaker system in our LX to 6 speakers (wiring is in the dash, just plug and play) for less than my local dealer's cost.
Service is excellent.
As to wipers, there are aftermarket wipers that fit, but they're really long, so don't expect to pay $2.50. As to the dealer's story on air filter availability, I think you're asking the wrong guy. Pull my other leg, it plays jingle bells. "Never" is a very long time. K&N already makes one if you're inclined to go that way.
Mazda is known for having expensive parts - a lot of import makes do. On the other hand, you don't need as many of them as you might with other makes... <G>.
At this point, I'm not quite sure how I feel about the whole experience. I suppose if the car has no future problems, I'll be fine.
Also, based on the prices that the mfg charge us for brochures...get one when you see one.
I'll check out that site. Also, keep a heads up for the tranny fix that is supposedly being worked on by the engineering guru's at Mazda Corp. However, I have not located air, oil or wiper blades at the major auto stores around the TC's area in MN. Maybe we're the last to get them.
I DO like this vehicle for many reasons. It's just that that Tranny deal brings back nightmares of my Dodge days in Caravans and being stranded TWICE in 10 years of two vehicles!
THX!
I found the addition of just the dash speakers made an amazing difference. The "sound table" was raised from floor level to the dash, which improved clarity and presence a ton.
Price was still high compared to aftermarket, but convenience and confidence was too, so I figured it was worth it. There's something to be said for peace of mind and less than 5 minutes install time...
I may add rear tweeters too, although the OEM parts are not an option - you'd need to replace both rear inside quarter panel covers. I've been considering a second set of dash speakers and some time with my Dremel... The colors would match with the rest of trim (dash speakers are brown, rear panels are beige), and it would look fine, I think.
Anyway, with 6 speakers it's still not the 9-speaker set up, of course, but it's tolerable now. I bought the OEM sub-woofer - because it fits inside the rear quarter panel and doesn't get in the way of cargo - but I haven't had a chance to put it in. I'll need to create a wiring harness to hook it up.
I can't for the life of me understand why Mazda doesn't offer the 9-speaker sound system as a stand-alone upgrade. Duh. Every other manufacturer out there offers premium sound packages at ludicrous profit levels. It doesn't make any sense. As if I'm going to spring for an ES over a sound system... NOT. I looked into having an aftermarket system put in, but the $$ and hassle were just too high.
Oh well, we'll see what I find when I go to put the sub-woofer in. The folks at that "other site" were incredibly helpful and informative. Unfortunately, I've been buried at work, and see no relief for the next couple of months...
-brianV
How much doe THIS filter set you back?