Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Do you mean the doors have frozen shut because of where the clips are or something? I've never installed a rack so I don't have a great idea of how the clips attach. Also, which bar width did you find too wide?
Thanks.
I have the Yakima setup with the Q-towers. My rear Q-towers acutally rub on the sliding doors and are wearing the paint off. Could you give me more information on how you installed yours, such as the distance on the rear bar between the Q-towers?
I went by REI to price Yakima racks, and asked about whether the Q-clips might damage the paint. The guy said that the clips come with a Teflon shield that you put on to avoid scratches. Did your clips come with any such thing?
If it helps, here is a transcript of the email...
Subject
Mazda 5 2007
Discussion Thread
Response (Sam Sattler) 04/04/2007 12:03 PM
Thank you for contacting Yakima Customer Support,
We have not yet finished our evaluation of the 2007 Mazda 5 as of this time. We evaluate each new model year to make absolutely sure no changes were made to the vehicle from the previous year. We are working as hard as we can to get fits done, and apologize for any inconvenience caused. I have logged that you requested a fit for your car, which will help show our engineers there is demand for it. Once the vehicle has been evaluated, www.yakima.com will be updated with the information (follow the “Fit My Car” link).
Thank you for your inquiry!
Yakima Support
Customer (BenoitG) 03/29/2007 06:11 AM
Is there any plan on having a roof rack for this vehicule?
2007 Mazda 5 GS
From what I can see, the 2006 is the same but your site is showing a sedan and the car is actualy 4 doors and hatchback.
Thanks, Ben
From the pictures, I wasn't too thrilled with the location of the dealer-installed racks, given the fact that their fixed. What is the distance between the two cross bars? I ask because I haul a 17' kayak and the occasional long pieces of lumber (like 12').
I wish they made the 5 with roof rails so that you could add your own Thule or Yakima cross bars. Both the Odyssey Sienna and Freestyle (among others) offer them. Yes, it might hurt the 5's good looks, but it is still a mini-minivan and not a Miata. Major oversight in my mind and Mazda is not the only guilty party. Acura MDX/RDX also comes to mind. Perhaps few people buy vans to carry stuff on the roof.
Other than that, I thought the 5 was fantastic. Really great vehicle.
http://www.carspace.com/guides/Mazda5-Roof-Rack-Guide?@@
also make sure you take note that the front bar and the rear bar are two different lengths.
I never measured the length of the bars, just the space between bars.
BTW, if anyone has a suggestion on cargo baskets, I would like to hear it. I have been looking for a while. The Yakima and Thule are too expensive.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123666875
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123637424&highlight=yakima
I went with the M1-M4 measurements in the second link - these are the same as provided by Yakima.
the mounting process of walking "back and forth" to find center - this is more art than science so take the measurements with a grain of salt - what's more important is the plastic clamps don't come down so far as to contact the top of the sliding door when the door is closed. With regard to the Teflon s">tickers - these go on the underside of the clips that are always in direct contact with the car (on the interior door well) - no concerns here. The real concern is actually the bottom of the plastic "clamp" rubbing paint off the top of the door. I take the rack on and off quite a bit so I may actually file the plastic down some - this may alleviate some of the precision needed when mounting.
one other comment - the rack sits somewhat far forward - I found this link below on an mpv club and I'm jealous - looks like Thule but I don't know if this is a homegrown solution because I haven't seen any Thule specs for the 5.
http://gallery.mpvclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=341&size=big&cat=509
We're getting ready to buy a Mazda 5, and I was nearly shocked that neither Yak nor Thule have developed a system for the 5 yet. We currently have a yak rak for our toyota corolla that we use for our 16' canoe. The Q Clips have silicon feet.
I was also worried about scratching the finish. I would recommend washing and waxing the top of your vehicle before putting the rack on. after the first time, just make sure the spot under the rack is clean. We have had no problems so far. The only problem with the shields is that they fall off when not on the car, so make sure to store them in a bag or something.
To accomodate the sliding doors, the clips needed for the front and back are different; you need one pair of Q131 and one pair of Q12. You can use 58" crossbars. Towers, clips, bars and locks are $300 at the Yakima site, perhaps cheaper elsewhere. (Anyone find a good deal?)
As far as the finish, word on the street is that you must carefully adjust the placement of the rear clips, but that properly done, the door will clear the clip and you won't scratch the finish.
That's the wisdom I've culled from carefully researching the topic at many boards. I have NOT tried this myself....
Thanks, Coop
Thanks,
Coop
Anyone know the answer?
I can feel it kick on when I hit auto but from what you are saying just let it go and the compressor should kick off and not run often (about 40 degrees here now). I'll have to compare the gas milage with what I was getting. Thanks!
I would guess the wiring is already there, as it is a dealer installed option. I have read online about people scavenging Homelink mirrors out of the junkyard from other cars (I guess they are all the same size), but it sounds like there are different pin configurations. You should be able to order one from a Mazda place online.
I will try and get a photo tonight or tomorrow of the Auto-dim mirror in the 5. The homelink should look the same, just with the homelink buttons added.
One more question for somebody that has the actual homelink mirror. Does the homelink work with the car turned off?
With the mirror, you will need the installation kit which is $25-40.
Also, I'm not sure what he means by it being pre-wired; Mazda's instructions say otherwise. I guess you can't believe everything you read.
Do you have the instructions for the mirror? I would be interested in how involved it is. Did you do the installation? Can you provide me with the steps the instructions give?
Thanks
Anyway, you can find the instructions on Rosenthal Mazda's site: www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/mazda5/Mirror_Compass_Home_Link_(0000- -8C_Z02)_Mazda5.pdf
(you'll need to copy and paste into your browser)
Mirror, Auto-Dimming with Compass, Temp & Homelink 2008 Mazda 5 1.0 hour
Does anybody else have this problem? Could it be a rubbing issue? I con't find any evidence of the tire rubbing the well but that is what it sounds like.
claires, "Mazda5 Suspension" #1, 1 Nov 2006 11:52 pm
Good luck!
How difficult is do-it-yourself thing? Did someone tried?
I do not worry much about installing the lights themselfs, since It was pre-wired (I hope). I'm wondering how hard will be to install the fog light switch next to the headlight switch.
TY.
Thanks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooyong/241646265/in/photostream/
Or $135 for installation at mazda dealership is not that bad.
Thank you.
Thans!