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Comments
5th gear only (either it doesn't occur in fourth or the engine noise is louder than the humm)
No noise when coasting
Barely noticeable when accelerating
No doubt about it when cruising
Though mine starts coming on right after 120 and begins to dissipate right after 140 (think music: crescendo/descendo)
Turning my head, the humming noise seems to be coming from the driver’s side; can’t tell though if it’s coming through the foot well (indicating the tranny) or the engine bay (indicating, what else, the engine)
And no, I haven't aprised Mazda of the fact for a couple of reasons: a) too embarrassed b) how are they to test for the humm at illegal speeds?
Are you referring to the problems with the 626? Different cars, different transmissions...
George
Dave
I don't know why some people keep complaining about gas milage. I bought my M3i with MT 2 weeks ago and after second refill (it was almost 800m on speedometer) the MPG I got was 34.6 mixed driving with constant AC on. Notice, who has a new car, I would not recommend to go more than 65m/h in the first 3000m.
Cuz they have lousy gas mileage. :P
Acceleration - The maximum acceleration rate in the EPA test cycles is 3.3 mph per second, about the same as going from zero to 60 mph in about 18 seconds. Don't know too many Mazda3 owners that accelerate from 0-60 in 18 seconds.... I don't...
Congestion - The EPA tests assume that we only spend 55% of our time in urban driving conditions. The truth is in 1982, congestion added about 7 hours per year to the average person’s annual travel, by 2001, congestion effects had nearly quadrupled to 26 hours per year. The EPA does not account for increased congestion in their testing. Sitting in your car and idling between stop and go traffic burns fuel, plain and simple.
Overestimating trip lengths—The EPA city test cycle is 7.5 miles long. EPA’s own data, however, indicate that average trip lengths may be only 5 miles long, with typical trips as short as 2.5 miles. I know that I occasionaly make quick trips in my car (5 miles and under).
Underestimating highway speeds—The EPA highway cycle assumes an average speed of 48 mph and a top speed of 60 mph. Many state highway speed limits are set at or above 65 mph. Government data indicates that fuel economy can drop by 17% for modern vehicles that drive at 70 mph instead of 55 mph. Even at 65 mph, fuel economy can drop by nearly 10% compared to driving at 55 mph. How many people honestly drive 55mph open the interstate? I typically drive anywhere between 70-80mph on the Interstate (with the flow of traffic) and I am not even close to being the leader of the pack.
Failing to reflect the use of air conditioning—Fuel economy tests are run with the air conditioning off. A/C can account for as much as a 30% drop on MPG figures, especially in very hot climates. In addition the EPA testing is conducted between 68 and 86 degrees (F). Obviously this is not a realistic test for the majority of owners in many hot climates run the A/C constantly. Heck, even our friends in Canada get some hot, humid weather from time to time and have to crank the A/C
In a study of 303 cars and trucks, model-years 2000 to 2006, Consumer Reports found that shortfalls in miles per gallon (mpg) occurred in 90 percent of the vehicles tested. The largest discrepancies involved city driving, with some models falling short of claimed mpg by 35 to 50 percent.
So, if you drive your vehicle with the A/C on, accelerate normally (or even worse do very quick starts), drive over 55-60mph on the highway, sit in stop and go traffic routinely, and frequently make trips under 7 miles, you should not expect to get the EPA numbers. Anyone who drives in these types of conditions should expect to get anywhere from 10-40% off the EPA numbers. Plain and simple.
The 3s, and particularly the 04-05 4AT version, is a bit more mpg challenged.
I think most complaints come from owners with the 2.3 with the auto trans.
You are just a walking book of info for the Mazda and other issues. Interesting reading though. Thanks
"Cuz they have lousy gas mileage"
Fresh update on gas milege: Today filled the tank to the top (even spilled a bit over). After driving 348 miles (almost 200m on hwy with speed 65 m/h and the rest in the city) it took 8.6 gallons which comes up 40.46 MPG. Note, the car has only 1200 miles with manual transmission, 2.0L.
How is that for EPA numbers? :shades:
Also, in the mornings, I have really bad starts where my engine idles roughly, shutters, and almost quits. I had a fuel cleaning service done today. When I started the car up from the repair shop, my engine shuddered again. Is it okay since its still cleaning up the fuel system? Should I be more worried that it's something worse?
Good luck...
The fact that your car is starring rough may be an indication of a larger problem. Perhaps the dealer can keep it overnight and start it in the morning for you.
I also shift with the manual mode on the Automatic. I usual start in 2nd gear and shift to 3 than 4th and not go over 2000RPMs. I think this will help with gas mileage in slow moving traffic. But I do push it a little at times.
but all in all since I've had my 2005 SP23 the small quarky problems that I've expirenced has moved my Grade of the car from an A+ to a B+
Just my 2¢
Thanks,
Lowpro
Before they replaced the valve I was getting 22+ MPG mostly city - after my MPG dropped all the way down to 15-17 MPG - for many tank of gas. I didn't ever figure out why - and thought it would be a waste of time to even ask the service department. Hope you don't have the same result.
...besides plugging the tuner into the back of the radio and hooking up the antenna to the tuner, is there an additional power supply running from the tuner to the battery or the stereo??
Any insight or experiences with this would be much appreciated!
In VA, if the car is at the dealership for service for a total of 30 calendar days or more the first year you own it, it is considered a :lemon:
Clarissa, check your states lemon laws. At some point, you may have a case. The fact that the car is stalling makes it even more serious...
I just recently purchased a Mazda 3 as well and love it!! It is about 6 months old and I have recently found that when I turn right ( right only) I get a squeeking or a rubbing noise coming from what seems to be the left front area of the car. It happened mostly after I have driven for awhile. I slow for the corner by braking and then take my foot off the brake and turn right and the sqeeking or rubbing happens. Not everytime but quite often. I have taken it into Mazda and they have replaced the brake pads and scuffed the rotors(I think they said) but when I got the car back it is still doing it.
I would appreciate help from anyone on this!!
Thanks
Rudy
Thanks