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Comments
What is the trick to getting the 5-7 plastic screws/bolts out for the plastic pan? I ended up undoing the screws around the front bumper and bending the plastic down to access the drain and filter. What a pain! Can you help me?
Thanks
Pete
I put winter wheels on and saw that the pad still has some 3-4 mm over that metal-part (not sure about the name). should I think of a pad replacement soon? My driving involves engine braking, that should keep pad wear down. Are there any indicators that squeel when the pads are down? Is it safe to wait for the squeeling? What are typical mileages for pad replacement? I don't want to pay the shop to determine that (after all, they might be biased :-), but I don't want to save on the wrong end.
If you go to the dealer for an oil change or other service they should give you a walk around inspection where they also check the pad linings. They will indicate how bad they are which can help you if you trust them. Now it depends on the car but a good rule of thumb is if you are at 1/4" then change your pads, if you are less than that you could be on your way to damaging a rotor. Pads are pretty cheap and really easy to do yourself if you have a guide and some basic tools. So I say safety first and if they get close 1/4" or start to squeal, change them out, or take it to a shop to do it for you. Good Luck
Agreed. I have asked my dealer for this a couple of times and recorded it to keep track of the rate of brake wear. They do this visually which means it's a rough estimate; ideally it should be done with a tool like a micrometre to measure the pad and rotor thickness. You can also run your fingers against the rotor to see how much "lip" has been created by the brake wear.
I'm over 93,600 Km (about 60,000 miles) on the original brakes of my Protege5 and still wheeling along!
Sounds strange, but ever since car was new, sometimes it won't re-start when turned off for a short time (i.e. under 15 mins or so).
No crank, nothing. I have to remove the key from the ring and then re-insert it. Car then starts immediately.
Any ideas? Anyone else notice this?
Also, with 20,000 miles, the tires need replacing. Any recommendations for tire brand?
Thanks.
Recently, due to mechanic error, I’ve had a lug stud break off. What needs to be done to replace the stud? Can I replace the stud without removing the bearing? If I do remove the bearing, is it pressed on? If so, are there special tools to reinstall it?
I did not hit or run over anything on my way to work. The only thing I did do was lock up the brakes to try not to hit a deer.
Has anyone heard of anything else like this happenning?
I got the car in July and it only has 7000 miles on it.
I am very nervous about having the car now. We are going to look at it tomorrow to see exactly where it was punctured, but I might call someone higher up at Mazda and a few other places as well.
I talked to one mechanic that normally does the work on my cars and he said he has never replaced a plastic gas tank.
To me it doesn't seem right that a 4 month old car and have a ruptured gas tank.
Take it to another dealer (don't tell them), or ask the dealer G.M to consider this... If he does not then contact Mazda direct. any car under 12K the dealer will cover anything except a HIT, you were NOT hit........
this is a safety concern too. don't give up. you will win and enjoy your mazda 3, IT"S A GREAT CAR!!!
Good luck
This is a "jump ball" until investigated. Be sure you're around when they lift the car so you can see the problem.
The dealership said they sent pictures to Mazda and that Mazda said they will not pay for it because it was not on a seam.
They said an object went in and out the same hole, but I don't see how.
What do I have to do to request someone higher up at Mazda to be there or someone higher up at the dealership.
It is really putting a bad taste in my mouth because of the safety issue.
This is just something I can't image happenning.
I'd be furious. As someone else noted, you could make an insurance claim if they refuse. I don't know how much it costs to replace a gas tank, but if your deductible is But I'm thinking there has got to be a defect. If it was that easy to puncture a gas tank, it would be a very common occurence.
We don't know what to think.
It just seems insane that this could happen when there is no other damage to the car.
We have a number to call Mazda now and we will see where that goes.
That was your first mistake; at those places you almost always save a few dollars in exchange for incompetent service. A good friend used to be a service manager at a BMW/Porsche dealership. Cars would come in with the drain plug replaced by a rubber stopper. The pit monkeys at Jiffy Boob had stripped out the oil pan and replaced the OEM metal plug with the stopper. Without telling the customer of course. Then there was the joint that pulled the wrong drain plug on a SAAB and drained the transaxle. Of course, they then over filled the engine by five quarts.
Last Monday, 12-03-07 oil canister cracked and drained all oil from the engine in seconds. Towed car to Mazda dealer. Engine is toast!! Mazda refuses to do anything under warranty because oil was changed at an instant oil change facility.
I don't blame them; it's not Mazda's fault. The Kwicky Lube guys almost certainly caused the damage
Service manger claims this is the sixth or seventh "3" that has come in with the same causative factor.
The plastic oil canister cover and its drain plug are sealed by o-rings and only need to be snugged down to avoid any leaks. The torque values for the plug and cover are clearly stamped on the plastic cover. The borderline sentient employees at your instant oil change joint lacked sufficient brain cells to figure that out and proceeded to over tighten one or both items- hence the cracked cover.
Dealer wants $7K to install re manufactured 2.3 liter engine.
Sounds about right.
Oil change facility insurance agent is investigating claim?
If you are very lucky they might pay out. Don't hold your breath, however...
Has anyone out there had any issues with this archaic canister filter blowing canisters?
There is nothing "archaic" about Mazda's canister filter. More and more manufacturers are adopting similar systems because paper elements are easier to dispose of or recycle. BMW has used a similar set-up since 1995- plastic cover and all. In fact, I have a 1995 318ti with 112,000 miles on the clock and that "archaic" canister is holding up just fine. That said, the only people who have serviced the car have been the dealer, a qualified independent tech, and myself. My MS3 receives similar care.
I need help understanding this. Please reply!!
I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear, but facts are facts. Those canisters fail due to over tightening. The instant oil change shop should step up to the plate and make things right, but Mazda didn't cause the damage.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I think you mean dealing with staff at Mazda dealerships (unless you travelled to Japan for service :surprise: ).
Service can be problematic if the manufacturer does not provide service information beyond the dealership. In Canada, the independent service garages are mounting a campaign to have manufacturers forced to disclose their service information more widely.
My experience with my Mazda dealership has been on the whole very positive. I'd recommend getting to know the service advisors, picking one you trust and dealing with him/her on a regular basis. I have had the fortune of finding a straight-talking, knowledgeable and informative one with whom I feel confident doing business.
Ditto.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
With what model year of Mazda3 were you having problems?
I've had no problems with any of those items on my 2007; perhaps the parts in question have been upgraded.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I would try Wurth Rubber Care.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
That was the first model year of the Mazda3. Several owners have posted problems with the AC for that year. Eventually, it got reworked but that's not a solution for the owners of that year's model. That's where good customer relations is critical; manufacturers should recognize these design flaws as early as possible and not shift the blame to customers.
On the other hand, we customers should be mindful of the possibility of design issues in certain situations (e.g. new model years). Consumer Reports has noted that even the top car manufacturers have problems in their initial releases of a new model. For example, the current Toyota Camry V6 has been experiencing an inordinate number of complaints about the transmission. My brother owns one and so far has had no problems with his.
My Mazda dealer has a first-rate service department, and they give me free oil changes every 5000 miles as long as I own the car. I bring my own Mobil 1 5W-30, but it's still a good deal.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Agreed.
I thought that he was dealing with Kwicky Boob's insurance carrier. If that is the case, he should pursue a diminished value claim- assuming that the reduction in value can be proven.
FWIW, I used to be an attorney- until I decided to make an honest living...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
I have a Mazdaspeed3, which isn't directly comparable. That said, I've found the running costs to be very reasonable. The 5K mile service runs around $50, the 15K is $100, while the 30K costs @$200. Of course, some dealers trie to pad the bill with services Mazda doesn't require. My Dealer doesn't. Note also that you could probably dddo a 7.5K service instead of a 5K. Since my car is turbocharged and I drive it in a rather sporting fashion I use a 5K service interval. The 3 is a great car- in any flavor!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive