Mazda5 Owners Accessories & Modifications

PF_Flyer · September 2006

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The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule

kw_da · September 2006

Hi,

Has anyone put splash guards on their M5 that has side sills? I understand that the OEM will not fit. Any recommendations?

thanks

kw_da · October 2006

Hi,

Has anyone added foglights to your M5? Is it hard to do? Is it worth the $210?

Thanks

smaria · October 2006

I got foglights added to my 2006 Mazda5 Sport when I first bought it, but I took the easy way out and had the dealer install it for me. I was charged $300 for it (I guess about $90 was for labor), but the installation was done well, as far as I can tell it came out exactly the same as the fog lights on the Touring model.

acerrone · October 2006

:confuse: Does anyone have the soft cargo liner (Mazda part number 0000-8K-L06) for the Mazda 5? I just recently purchased a new 2006 sport edition and want to add a cargo liner. I want to know about the quality of the one from Mazda? Is it worth it?
Thanks

acerrone · October 2006

I recently purchased a new 2006 sport edition (w/ sunroof). I want to put on a roof rack, but I'm not sure if the Mazda roof rack is the corect choice after reading the discussions on this board. I noticed that Yakima says that their Q Towers will fit the 5. Has anyone tried these yet? I would be very interested to know how they work.
Thanks

sandie4jc · October 2006

These are two options I'm thinking about getting to add on my 5. My question is, has anyone added the deflector after having their 5 for a while? How much of a difference in the noise level did you notice? The price isn't very high for the part, so it seems like it would be a good investment, even if the noise was only reduced a little. The step plate addition seems to be a no-brainer, as I've seen other cars' bumpers scratched up and want to avoid that - again a cheap part but how much would I be charged for installation? Thanks for your input.

kev604 · October 2006

My local dealer said that if I bought the step plate they would install it for free. There really is no installation all you do is take off the adhesive and stick it on top of your bumper, you can do it yourself.
I considered the step plate but passed on it because I was worried that over time it might peel, seen this happen on other vehicles.

The dealer will probably charge installation for the moonroof wind deflector. Whatever they charge you it won't be worth it. Again a very simple item to install, if you've ever bought anything from Ikea and put it together yourself then your more then qualified to install the wind deflector yourself.
I never considered the wind deflector because I find the Mazda5 moonroof small and with the wind deflector on it that would cover half of the moonroof. Just my personal opinion.

I am also interested in the cargo cover and am wondering if anybody out there has one? My local dealer said they don't even stock one and have never sold one.

kw_da · October 2006

Hi,

I bought the cargo cover. It's spring loaded and fits in the covered slots in the back of the M5. When you lower the rear seats, it gives you a covered trunk area. I like it. Haven't figured out a good place to store it if I'm using the seats. I bought from finishlineperformance which has free shipping for greater than $150. This place mazdastuff.com also has it and free shipping for > $100. Both these places were cheaper than the dealer's new car "discount" price.

The Mazda seatcovers are also quite nice if you like the color. A bit pricey, but you get 6 seats that are designed to not interfer with the side airbags (they have open sides).

David

riproy · October 2006

Yes, they were a great purchase. We really like them, even if they were a bit expensive (we had to pay duty to ship them to Canada as well). I haven't tried putting them on the third row since ours is down most of the time - can you fold the seats down flat with the seat covers on?

kw_da · October 2006

Hi,

The 3rd row seatcovers were the hardest to install (pull out the trunk tray to install & use a hammer to attach clips to edge of seat), but there's no problem with folding the seat flat.

David

platsilvmazda5 · October 2006

I have a sport with sunroof as well and purchased the Mazda rack. If you go with the Yakima option, you may want to check whether you can open the sunroof when the rack is on. The crossbars on the Mazda rack sit high enough that you can fully open the sunroof when the rack is on.

I believe that Yakima produces the rack sold through Mazda per Mazda's specification/design.

fiveandfive · October 2006

Has anyone come across a JDM part number for the fully adjustable intermittant wiper switch foro the Mazda5? The single speed switch just isnt cutting it. I was able to make this swap on my Pro5 years ago, so I'm guessing there must be a current model crossover number.

whobodym · October 2006

I have a Touring sunroof and Mazda bars, also. One fine point is that yes the sunroof will open fine with the bars, but that's not necessarily so if anything is mounted onto the bars. We have a Packasport cargo box, and the sunroof just slightly binds, rubbing along the bottom surface of the box. Of course, it is absurd to want to drive with box and open roof; I just mean it isn't something you'd want to let happen accidentally either. (the box acts like a gigantic aerodynamic ram scoop, and it makes driving like riding a motorcycle with no goggles or helmet. Plus no sunshine comes in.) I'm not so sure about Yakima being the supplier of the Mazda bars. I have owned past Yakima hardware for another vehicle type (Quest), and none of the "feel" of the Mazda bars is the same. Especially, the Mazda bars are not the Yakima style round pipe.

PF_Flyer · October 2006

It's Tuesday, so it's time for our weekly Mazda chat. Stop in to meet and greet some of your fellow forums enthusiasts. I'll be picking your brain for discussion ideas for the forums as well! (Trust me, I need all the help I can get! :P )

The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule

minisub · October 2006

I just installed factory roof rack for Mazda 5, I noticed it's a rectangular bar instead of round bar I am used to. Anyone know where I can buy the rectangluar plastic snap arounds so I can use my old bike rack from Yakima? Thanks..

tlong · December 2006

Just fyi for any who might be interested, we had Bluetooth installed aftermarket in our 5. Well I didn't like where they put the control unit and managed to fit it in the spot where the optional cassette deck would go. In the process I figured out how to get the front panel off and the head unit out. If anybody is interested I can provide directions.

rlyon · December 2006

I'd like more info on the BlueTooth. What it works with, how well, where you bought it, how much, etc. That's pretty cool.

joeben · December 2006

I just ordered the factory iPod adaptor and had my local dealer install as he was doing recall work. The verdict after a couple of days -

Pros: Connects you iPod directly, which gives crystal clear sound quality. Stashes the iPod in the glove box which does not attract thieves. Has a cool Mazda logo on the iPod display when plugged in. charges your iPod while the car is on.

Cons: Although the adaptor manual explains how to switch seek functions, it is very confusing and I have yet to figure out if i am flipping through playlists, albums, artist, songs, or genres. The display does not give text information which is a huge disappointment (considering the radio tells me "Hello!" every time i get in). The numbering system only goes to "6", because it utilizes the 6-disc cd interface features, requiring the display to start over at 1 for track 7; so you really have no idea what you are playing. There does not appear to be a way to play Podcasts.

These are major issues for me as I have a 60GB iPod with over 5000 songs and I listen to Podcasts quite a bit. All that said, i am glad to dump the FM transmitter and get high quality sound from my iPod. And it can be interesting to try and guess the Artist and Song playing while sitting in traffic. Since the stereo display is useless, I wish the display on the iPod itself was active to see if my guesses were right.

rlyon · December 2006

Thanks for the review, what was your price paid? Some of your concerns are valid, but don't weigh as much in my determining situation. I currently have my iPOd stashed inside the cupholder so I can't see the display. I only use the iPod to forward, otherwise it's on shuffle and I play it until I hear something I don't like, and forward. It's like listening to the radio for me. I only put songs on the iPod that I want to hear, so I let them all play.

THe biggest thing for me, would be hiding the iPod in the glovebox and reclaiming my cupholders, charging the ipod, play with ignition and FF and RW on he steeringwheel.

kw_da · January 2007

Hi,

I just bought this link . It appears to have all the same features as the factory ipod link except the ipod display and control are active. I believe that you can get the same Ipod interface on Ebay.

Regards,

David

athenasius · January 2007

Tim you are killing me :P. lol. tell me more about this Bluetooth item. any pictures where you got it how much....

tlong · January 2007

Sorry about that.

We installed a Raytel 4200.
http://www.tellphone.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=142-

After having my Acura TL we couldn't live without Bluetooth in the car.
The installers double-stick taped it to the shift console below the shifter, but that looked tacky.

I pulled out the audio panel and head unit, Dremeled a hole in the expansion plate where the cassette deck would go, and put the unit there.

It seems to work pretty well although I'm not yet an expert at all of the features.

To remove the head unit you pull off the panels on both footwells toward the back center. This exposes a screw on the shifter console plastic you can unscrew.

You then unscrew the shifter knob (we have an automatic) and pull off the plastic piece where the shifter is (if you have nav you need to unplug the nav connector. You have to push a tab to pull it out; pulling alone is not enough.

You then pull away the big plastic piece that the shifter plastic snapped into. This exposes two screws below the climate control knobs. Unscrew those and then you can pull out the big silver plastic piece that surrounds the climate and radio controls. It has some snap tabs but WILL come out if you pull hard.

You then unplug the antenna and electrical connectors from the head unit. The plastic piece and head unit come out together. You then unscrew the head unit from the plastic piece and you are done!

Installation is the reverse and was not too difficult, the hard part was finding out how to get it all out.

blynmazda5 · January 2007

Greetings,

I'm considering purchasing a cargo cover for my 5. Could someone tell me if the second row seats are able to lean back when the cargo cover is in use. If the seats can lean back, how far?

Thanks.

David

athenasius · January 2007

yes the seats can lean back a fair bit. At a guess i would say 6".

rlyon · January 2007

Yes, as stated above, they lean back pretty much unhindered. I believe the 3rd row laying flat may hinder more than the cargo cover (at least while lowering the 3rd row flat)

joeben · January 2007

After using the adapter for a couple of weeks, I have been able to get my playlists to come up. I have to keep the manual handy to remind me what the order is for switching between play styles (Songs->Playlists->Albums->Genres...). The numbers are in the display are relatively meaningless, except to tell you how many songs you have listened to in sequence. During Random Mode if you scan through songs, it cancels Random play. Aside from these major issues, it sounds WAY better than an FM Transmitter.

athenasius · January 2007

I am trying to get some of the accessories that we do not have in Canada. Like tire pressure sensors that work with mazdas screen TPS. dash lid thing that the mazda 3 has if you do not have NAV screen ....

idavidson · January 2007

People don't mention doing it, but perhaps its a
obvious thing to do.

athenasius · January 2007

I am in Canada. Can anyone tell me how much a blank key and remote is in the states. I was reading somewhere on another place(i did not save to favourites) that they are only like $50US for both and less. Can anyone ask or let me know how much they are in the states or where ever. Programming and key cutting is no problem.

starlightmica · February 2007

Just took delivery of a 5 Sport and have a few random questions:

1. Is there a way to activate DRL's on the US model? The old Miata did have a plug-in module from Canada that would do the trick, is there a similar part or fuse?

2. Sport doesn't have a thermometer displaying on the dash, anyone know the part numbers and installation to make it work short of installing the auto-dimming mirror?

3. The wife likes auto-locking doors once you shift into drive, is there a way to do this?

4. Anyone use aftermarket fog lamps with the Mazda turn signal fog lamp switch? I hear the Sport is pre-wired for fogs.

5. The wife doesn't like the interior aluminum - any suggestions? black paint? tasteful aftermarket dash kits?

6. Anyone know the part numbers for the power flip-up lid for the navigation system? Might be nice to install a backup cam monitor or carputer there that hides away.

Thanks!

nissmazlover · February 2007

Hey, all!

Just want to let you know that I got the Mazda Genuine Parts iPod integration kit hooked up in my 5. It cost a total of $249.00. They put the cable in the glove compartment and that is where the iPod stays during use. You don't control the music through the iPod itself. You control everything through the stereo.

To access the iPod when it's connected, you have to depress the CD button until "EX" (for external) is displayed. Then, it has menu options you go through numbered 1 through 6. Each number represents something different, i.e., 1 representes Artists, 2 represents Albums, etc. You scroll through these numbers until you get the option you want and it will start playing. Then you make your selections using the stereo buttons.

I have to admit that it's pretty tricky getting used to it and using it. I just got it last night, and still have to play with it more to get used to it. But, it has its advantages. #1 - The iPod is charged while it's playing, so there's no need for an additional charger and it will play continuously; #2 - the fact that you only control it through the stereo makes it a lot safer to use while driving as opposed to looking for your iPod, looking at the screen and making your selections all while driving; #3 - the sound is great and it sounds just like a CD; and #4 - it's a Mazda Genuine Accessory/Part, so it's part of the warranty and won't void any other part of the car's warranty.

On the down side, though: #1 - it's tricky to use; #2 - it will take you a while to select whatever Artist or Album you want to hear, unless you select it beforehand on the iPod itself and THEN connect it to the system, but even then if you want to select the following track through the steering wheel controls, it will bring you to the FIRST song on your iPod listed alphabetically by Artist; and #3 - they left two gaping holes in the back of my glove compartment, which takes away from its storage capacity and utility since objects can fall through the holes and into the inside of the dashboard area.

Overall, though, I LOVE my iPod hook up. I'm just sad that the two gaping holes are there inside the glove box and that my glove box door no longer opens in a dampened manner, but just PLOPS open with no resistance whatsoever. I should take it back for that, though I don't know if that can be fixed. What do you think?

maltb · February 2007

So tell us how you really feel...

troyolson92 · February 2007

The Ipod integration kit is terrible!!! It doesn't show ANY text what so ever from the ipod. Another words, you can use next disk button to go to the next album on the ipod but you have no idea what album it is, who it is, or what song you here until it starts playing. There is no way to search albums, artists, or songs. I mean it shows a disk number for an album then another number for what song in the album. example 5:2-1. What is that???? I am not happy I bought this stupid adapter!! Would rather use the Ipod to play what I want!!!! DON'T PAY FOR IT!!!!!

I also purchased the cargo NET. It is worth it's wieght in gold! Ok, I doesn't wieght much so that wasn't a good statement but you get the point.

Since the IPOD adapter is so complicated and un-intuitive I suggest we start writing a manual here on how to use it. So far here is what I know.

To switch to the next album > up Disk Button
To switch to the prev album > down Disk Button
To switch to the next song > up next right Button
To switch to the prev song > up prev left Button
To shuffle > repeat button

joeben · March 2007

I paid the price listed on mazdastuff.com. Dealer gave me a good price on install as I had demanded the part when I bought the vehicle last year, and the salesman plaid dumb until I signed, at which time he told me the part did not exist. Thank you MazdaSouth (Austin) for holding to a commitment even when the salesman was long gone. Install and part is covered under dealer warranty and they did not drill any holes in the glove box as mentioned in another person's experience.

foxtwo2 · March 2007

Help Please. I have iPod integration on my Speed6. I cannot seem to get to the mode to select menu options. I have tried pushing and holding disc up for 2 secs, I have tried pushing disc up twice in rapid succsion, disc down does not work either. My iPod is stuck in Artist mode.

Any ideas?

troyolson92 · March 2007

here is some of the things I have read in other forums to help use this terrible IPOD adapter. Please add any info you may have or tell us how to display TEXT!!!

1. there was a complaint that it would only use 6 playlists and 99 songs in each playlist. That is not true. It will show you 6 music menu choices such as playlist, artist, album, songs, genre, and composer. If you choose playlist it will let you play all of your playlists in the order they are listed on the iPod. The display is limited to counting only 6 of them because it was made for a 6 CD changer. Your seventh playlist will be displayed as the number 1. The same goes for songs in a playlist, after number 99 the display will show the 100th song as number 1. This is all in the instructions that come with the unit.
2. If you press the track buttons within one of the 6 initial menu chopices you will only change tracks in whichever choice you are in. Example: if you are in albums, then the current album you are playing will change tracks on that album and when you get to the last track the next press of the button will take you to the first track in the same album. It will not go to the next album. To go to the next album, press the disc change button once. To change choices within the six initial menus press the disc change buttom twice QUICKLY! Now, watch the display on the head unit. before it plays a song it will show you a series of numbers. These numbers are in the manual that came with the unit. Each of the six initial menu choices has a specific number. Playlists are shown as 1'00" on your display. Once you are within this menu it will begin to play the first song on the first playlist on your iPod. One trick is to know what the order of playlists are on your iPod and what the first song is in each playlist. Press the disc change button ONCE to change playlists. Do not press the button several times in a row or it will change your initial menu choice.
3. For the 2007 Mazda3 equipped with a standard AUX IN jack, an additional "Switch Box" accessory P/N TD13-79-CFZ is required, to allow both features to function.
4. 1. Turning the radio on
2. Keeping it on a FM station(FM1?), the iPod will most likely be displaying "OK to Disconnect" and showing the Mazda Logo
3. With the Logo showing, reset the ipod by pressing and holding the menu/ok button (NOT SLEEP), an actual reset (or how ever your ipod resets, every ipod varies)
4. It'll reset, upon resetting your iPod's menu (should)will be displayed(not the Mazda Logo). From there press Mode on your stereo and go to EX and it should go there without your ipod saying "OK to Disconnect" hence you get to choose your songs from your ipod, not the stereo.

Hope that works out for you guys!

Now I know thats kind of annoying to do, but to me it's not that hard, I just have to take a second to reset the ipod before I go to work on a FM station. But I drive an 1 1/2 to work on highways.

Any how, It worked for me, I have a 5th Gen iPod, 60GiG, Black with 50GiG's used and updated with the latest software update, formatted using a MAC.(in case for some reason formatting it using windows is some how different which I don't see why the adapter would notice or care but you never know) and I own a 06 Mazda 3i

maltb · March 2007

I cannot seem to get to the mode to select menu options. I have tried pushing and holding disc up for 2 secs, I have tried pushing disc up twice in rapid succession, disc down does not work either. My iPod is stuck in Artist mode.

When you are changing menu options (holding ^ for more than 1 second or rapid succession), make sure you note the minute portion of the display: EX 1 : 1 1':00". the minute will flash with your current menu option and then go back to 0'00" to play the track. As far as I can tell, this is your only indication of menu option number. Make sure that this is not happening and then re-post with your results. Of course, make sure your music is tagged correctly as well, but if you see that info in iTunes it's on your iPod.

rrx421 · March 2007

Id like to remove the third-row seats in an M5, in order to load several bikes upright (front wheels removed). Is this a straight-forward job with a socket wrench?

oi_mazda5 · March 2007

Has anyone investigated adding the options for automatic headlights and/or rain sensing wipers? It seems that these are features found everywhere except in the US? Is adding these options going to be too complicated? Can I take a trip north across the border to get these items?

Thanks for your input.

athenasius · March 2007

lol do not mean to laugh but Canada sucks or options. We can not even get HID head lights. Let alone getting help at changes. The way it works here in Canada is that only if you can get one the executives to order a part(usually for their own needs) from the US (that will require a part number) and if you can figure out the new part number you can then order it. Good luck though.

zbx · March 2007

I'm in Canada and have a 2007 Mazda5 GT, with both auto headlights and rain sensing wipers. The rain sensing wipers aren't sensitive enough for me, even when set to max sensitivity. They're more like intermittent and don't start wiping right away when the rain starts (I think my window is clean).
To me the auto headlights are just a toy, although they are nice when you're going in and out of tunnels. (My wife has no idea what they are so still turns both on manually)

athenasius · March 2007

I hear you re the wipers. They can be a bit insensitive at times as the sensor is in that box in the black box above the mirror. At times the sensor will go even when there is not a spot of rain. For me I buy the rainX windshield washer fluid and it seems work fine now. The rainX puts a thin coat on it and fills in the small imperfections. If this does not work I would clean the window very well and then have the dealer reset the sensor. Clean it yourself first as Mazda dealerships do not really care, they get paid the same for a warranty fix if it takes the required time or less. They would rather have it come in again rather than fix it right the first time.

As for the wife putting the full lights it is proven safer as the rear light come on as well. (but Mazda is not worried about safety, show by the fact that even as Kia Rondo has Stability included, Mazda does not even offer it as an option. Apparently they say Canadians are not concerned with safety. This option would not require any development as it is a choice in most countries)

foxtwo2 · March 2007

Thanks for the info, I will try again. I seem to remember that when I get the EX 1 then wait for the 1:00 to show if I hit the disc ^ it moves to EX 2. I will try again this morning, but this is what I remember. I also seem to remember that no matter how many times I try to get into Menu mode, the minutes never seem to come up. It just sits on whatever EX #, then starts playing. Its always in Artist or Menu 1 mode.

kanata · March 2007

"As for the wife putting the full lights it is proven safer as the rear light come on as well."

On automatic, all lights (front and rear) are lit as if they were switched on manually. I will switch the lights on manually when I judge visibility to be poor, such as in heavy rain.

I often see cars driven at night with no rear lights on: I believe the drivers of those cars are led to believe the outside lights are on because the front daylight running lights give that impression. Perhaps if they look at their instrument panel and wonder why it is dark they would then switch on their lights.

athenasius · March 2007

Well you are very lucky then. As for all the other Mazda 5's made for Canada when it is daylight and you have rain sensing wipers only the front lights come on when in the auto mode. The fogs lights do not come on either as they are run from the main lights (without the daytime voltage registered main beam for daytime running lights) I have ordered the wiring manual so I can see if I can by pass this and also to rewire the fog lights so they can work without the main lights on. I wish I had your version; the dealer was baffled as to why yours is like that. Let me know maybe it is a US car thing.

As for the  re dark dash it also makes me wonder. Maybe they do not know the have an instrument panel lol.

daharon · April 2007

There's been a lot of discussion about putting roof racks on the M5 over the past couple of years. Some say the factory rack is no good, some suggest that Yakima or Thule now have aftermarket racks. Anyone have conclusions they've drawn about which way to go with the rack?

Also, some folks claimed to have installed a trailer hitch just to attach a hitch rack. Anyone have trouble with warranty service after that?

whobodym · April 2007

I bought the Mazda factory roof bars, mainly to mount a Packasport cargo box, in summer '06. I am mostly quite pleased with them. They are stout and easy enough to mount/dismount. Added wind noise (bars alone no box) is not even noticeable except in sunroof-open season. However, I was very disappointed in Mazda's inability to give me "cut sheet" dimensions for the bars, prior to my ordering them. At the time, they were on back order so it was impossible to measure another set. I was fed some misinformation about the bars being adjustable -- they are not. I was very concerned about the fore/aft distance between the 2 bars, fitting the notches molded into the bottom of the Packasport, and also about the span of each bar, whether the Packasport would sit on top of bare bar, or on top of the plastic locking covers. It turns out, the fore/aft spread is just small enough to fit the notches, and the box does sit on top of the plastic covers but there's no problem. I made a powerpoint chart of the dimensions of the Mazda bars which I can send anyone on request -- whobodym@comcast.net

Karen_S · April 2007

Very interesting! Please consider posting your information concerning the roof rack dimensions as a CarSpace Guide. That way it is easily accessible for anyone interested.

http://www.carspace.com/guides

Drop me an email if you have any questions.

jeffpurd · April 2007

I put the Yakima QTower setup on. Like whobodym, I feared the fixed mount factory racks wouldn't be the right spacing for my roof box. Plus, I think I saved on the Yakima route ($250) and think it probably holds more weight and looks a little more rugged (if that matters). I put the fairing on and wind noise isn't noticeable. Easy to remove and reinstall - once you've got the initial fit complete. The clips do come very close to the sliding doors which has iced up a few times on me - I thought we were through that season already but alas no - this is Minnesota. Also - the back bar width they recommended I will probably end up cutting down - it is so wide that I've caught my forehead on it a few times after loading my daughter in the back seat - pretty comical.

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