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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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You're reading the manual ?! I finally got mine out last night. I found this hook thing stuffed in a carpet pocket last week. You only see it when you put the third row down. It's made to secure the third row bench when you're using it as a tailgate seat.
SC
SC
I am pretty sure ok2 mileage is an exception. I would look for the problem if I were him. I am getting 20mpg 80/20 city/hwy but I have MPV 2002 ES
MB
/java
MB
/j
MB
We got much better mileage than we have experienced earlier. 20.7 on Saturday, mostly street driving, and 23.4 mpg Sunday, mostly freeway.
We were dissapointed that in the beginning that our mileage was low -- similar in fact to ok2's 2000 MPV mileage woes -- but we have seen slow and steady improvement as we have driven it more, just as Mazda Guy and Javadoc said.
So, I would recommend an MPV to anyone wanting a minivan, and I agree with others who are glad that Honda forgot to make enough vans...
Can you tell me what your 2000 van had on it? I'm trying to see if I can get a decent trade on my 2000 LX. 25k miles, Lux/4Seasons/RearAir/fogs/step-plate/CDChanger. I'd fall into a 2002 if I can get the trade worked out right with the dealer. We owe about $12k, maybe less.
/java
I have a 2002 EX MPV which I love. We only have 800 miles on it and we are averaging 19-21 MPG mixed driving. My question is, I am noticing that when you go over a bump like rail-road tracks or a small pot hole that the back tires seem to take the bump really hard. A fairly annoying clunk (I think mostly noise from tires) can be heard. I took it in today and they really didn't think it was that bad but they searched all of the service notices and called Mazda to see if they have had any complaints. I wanted to drive another EX to see if this was just a normal thing for that vehicle but they only had LX's on the lot with a smaller tire so that wouldn't be a fair comparison. Does anyone have this problem or an opinion. I was told that I could bring it back in to actually have them take the van apart and check it but I don't know yet if the problem is my ears, a very stiff suspension or my shocks. What do you think?
Taya
MB
SC
/java
Good luck.
1. I have the rotten egg exhaust smell that has been posted about before. What kind of gas did you all say to try or is is a hit or miss kind of thing? It is annoying, but not so bad as to run you out of the van.
2. I got almost 17 MPG on the first tank of gas. I expected much lower, because the 2000 got better for the first 1,000 miles or so, but never got that mileage consistently in the city. I have had the air on more often than not, so I think this is a good sign of things to come.
3. The cupholders in front are MUCH better than the 2000-still not quite deep enough for some glasses, but much improved.
4. Much smoother ride with the 16" wheels. I am anxious to see how they hold up-the first set of Yokahama tires on the 2000 were shot at 18,000 miles, and my second set of Bridgestone tires were ready to replace at 48,000. Of course, the 2000 had major alignment problems that were never corrected. This one drives straight as an arrow-the 2000 came from the factory out of line.
So far so good!
Bharell, you said you have Yokohama tires? These tires come on LX? I have Dunlops on ES.
MB
/j
There's nine ways of Sunday you can look at that although - Sienna heavier and 90% stop and go. The MPV lighter and 90% go...at 70MPH.
Java: Humble apologies about past comments on the frozen north. Now that I've said that - send me something!!! The temp just hit 90 and 90 percent humidity already.
Before we "tested" the 2002 MPV in March this year, we drove a VW Passat 1.8T 4-cyl., and a Jetta 6-cyl. Both cars are very tight, sporty handling. Although gas mileage should be good on the 1.8T, I simply CANNOT STAND kicking a car into passing gear and suddenly sounding like you're sitting on top of a chainsaw! High rpm is how those little 4-bangers get their power--and I'm spoiled by years of quiet, smooth, 6's. The VW 6 was quieter, but did not have the junk hauling capacity we sought, and seemed over-priced.
We then drove the new MPV. Bought one two days later at City Place Mazda in West Palm Bch. Salesman Jack Breen was very helpful in negotiating the S-Plan (which, thanx to the PIN number of my wife's brother who works at Kodak saved us some dough.)
The sage green LX (which incidentally has Dunlop 15" tires) had a sticker of $23,785. With a bit of "negotiating" and the S-Plan, the dealer installed a tape player, fog lights, and sold us the car for exactly $22,000.
After reading some of the comments, we were not expecting great gas mileage. The first 1000+ miles were mostly city driving, and mileage was nothing to write home about. Probably high teens or low 20's. But then we filled the tank, and headed north on I-95 for upstate NY (near Rochester). At the first fillup, our mileage was 27.5. The next was over 26, the next over 26 also, and then a 25-something. These were driven at steady speeds neighboring around 74+ mph and on cruise control. Was I delighted??? YOU BET!
What sort of performance is the car capable of? Well, I have the oil and lube service done locally (I live in the country) by a young garage owner who is "big" on auto racing. When I drove in yesterday, he told me that two weeks ago he and 3 pals rented (leased?) a car exactly like mine--model, color and interior--and drove it south to a racing event. They rented, because they didn't want to beat up their OWN cars on this expedition!). Anyway, he said in one of those southern states, on a clear stretch of highway, he gassed it just out of curiosity, and said the MPV was still accelerating thru 113 mph when he suddenly passed two State Police cars headed in the opposite direction. He backed off on the gas and ducked in between a couple semi's--and the Smokies did not give chase. I asked him how it handled at that speed. He said it was feeling pretty "light". I wonder why!
Our car is just a beautiful thing to drive, quiet, powerful, comfortable, responsive, easy handling. The seating configurations are super. We bought a Coleman 44 qt. 12V cooler (with 110V adaptor) at Walmart for $80, and brought meat and numerous other foods home from FL--the thing plugs into the receptacle at the left rear and kept temp. down close to 30 degrees while driving.
We also bought the 7-year 100k-mile extended warranty--basically bumper to bumper coverage--for somewhere around $1500 I think. Parts and shop rates are high. The nearest dealer to our farm is about 50 miles. So we hope that the van requires no more than basic servicing. I really believe this van will sell itself on a brief test drive. It sure sold itself to us!
My wife and I noticed the 'Popping' problem this Sunday. We promptly searched this board, and plopped down my printout of fellow poppers at the body shop this morning. Also, I embellished a little and said I spoke with CORPORATE (the magic word), and BOOM BANG, they're replacing my inner tie rods PLUS aligning for free.
I didn't even have do go through the whole explanation of the problem, thanks to my print out - it was all perfectly written for me, and the body shop was appreciative.
This board is great! Only one quirk: I had to spend half a work day sifting through paragraphs like this one to build my arsenal of complaints. I only got to #500 out of 1800.
I was delighted to see the "Board Search" field at the left of the board and searched for "Popping." Unfortunately, it only searches for OTHER BOARDS (not within the MPV Problems board).
Anyone know how to search the 'MPV problems' board only? I will also forward this request to the edmunds help folks.
The van is due to head back into the dealer anyway. I'm gonna have them take a look at it, but I don't expect them to find anything. Maybe they can re-flash the transmission computer to fix it, like they did for the recall.
Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?
TIA,
-Dave
MB
drivers power lock don't work no more. it unlocks but doesn't lock back. (could it be the cheese curds my daughter was eating after our field trip to the cheese factory? sshh).
i could prolly open the doors myself but will bring it to the dealers this weekend. gotta use that warranty somehow, mwahahahahha.....
Good luck--
RJ
Oh well, I'll keep searching...sigh. Some people have all the luck -
/j
* Why would anyone want to turn off the TCS, and why is there a button for it.
* My transmission has had too much fluid in it from delivery, should I worry?
* Could I bend the shift lever a bit out of the way whithout consequences?
* It is me or is the AC insufficient. I get very cold hands but not much else.
* Why would anyone want to turn off the TCS, and why is there a button for it.
- You would want to disble TCS sometimes when you're on the track (we all take our MPVs to the track), or in some situations in the snow.. really. Also, you might want to do a really cool burnout! No, seriously, sometimes you just don't want the TCS on, but in a minivan it's not really a needed switch, imho.
* My transmission has had too much fluid in it from delivery, should I worry?
- Your transmission should NOT be overfilled. I'd have that corrected.
* Could I bend the shift lever a bit out of the way whithout consequences?
- Well, you could have warranty issues, and/or the lever could break.
* It is me or is the AC insufficient. I get very cold hands but not much else.
- Not a problem here, but it doesn't get *that* hot here. Defer to y'all S'ners.
/j
I agree with the Doc for the most part. TCS doesn't allow any slip. If you are trying to get somewhere quick, you may find that the vehicle accelerates faster with a certain amount of slip. Here in So. Cal., I'd rather just have the TCS off by default. Oh well.
* My transmission has had too much fluid in it from delivery, should I worry?
Make sure you are checking the fluid as per the manual, ie. engine running in park, etc. Also not that no dipstick is perfect; a little over is no big deal. If it's way over, you;ll probably see it come out of the breather and onto your garage floor.
* Could I bend the shift lever a bit out of the way without consequences?
I suppose it's possible, but you need to remove the lever and hold it in a vice or mandrel. Trying to do it on the car will have you seeing the dealer sooner than you want to.
* It is me or is the AC insufficient. I get very cold hands but not much else.
Not a problem here in So. California unless you don't have rear air. If you don't, I'm sorry. I made that mistake once; never again.
(Java: I'm passing your notes to the sheriff - the posse is mounting up...)
I've had one summer (typ 95) and the start of another and after about 3 miles I'm turning the A/C fan down a notch or two. I do have rear A/C btw and I initially put the intake lever on inside air. It's 92 outside already and it's gonna be a bad summer I (we) S'ners fear.. (quit grinnin' Java...)
I would be real reluctant to bend a lever with any wires inside - for the OD in this case. How much wire play did they put in there and the size?
Besides, it's a Mazda thing. I just about burnt the shift lever down in our '92 - I was always hitting it with a cigarette while aiming for the ashtray.
(and it was a bigger ashtray
Mochavan goes in Monday for another LOF and my wife is actually complaining about the van... which is a new thing for her to be doing (she loves her van). So, here's the issues, and I'd love some help:
1. Stalling on Start-up. It's consistantly taking 3x to get the van idling. I can't figure out exactly how to make this present itself on demand. Alex, I'm going to take the TSB you mentioned for this one.
2. THIS IS THE ONE I REALLY NEED HELP ON... "Serious hesitation and freakiness w/ the transmission," her exact words. The van does some funky things when you pull out onto the parkway. It won't go, then it takes off like a bat outa hell, then it says, "wait, too fast" and hesitates then says, "what the heck, too slow..." then settles down to mormal (quirky) 4speed MPV tranny mode.
3. Am I the only one that's broken about eight locking lug nuts? I must be Cro-Magnon man or something, because I always bust one when changing/rotating tires. Anyway... not a big deal, just irritating.
Of course my solution to these issues, "Hey honey, we can solve all this by getting a 2002!"
/java
If I were you I would put the gloves on and drive naked LOL
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
MB
MB
/j
prlamz: I've found the AC to be quite adequate. I do as Bob57 does, initially crank both units to high and recirculate. Of course, the van needs to be moving to give sufficient power to the compressor. It could be better sitting at idle though. Let us know if you have rear AC.
Bob: I think you're right about this summer unfortunately
SC
Right Beachnut... it's the 'excessively cranky' TSB, which I resemble for many reasons (5.5hrs till my last final and then I can sleep and not be 'as' cranky). I've got an empty lb. bag of Starbucks Sumatran to prove it. I'll try that TSB on the service writer. If I tried it today, the TSB would be followed shortly by the FOD (Fist 'o Death) if they said to me one more time, "Technician could not repeat problem."
The van will do this: you turn the key, van starts, you blink, van stalls. Rinse, repeat... I've tried not blinking too and that doesn't do anything except make my eyes water (I know you were thinking it)... the van doesn't do this all the time, which is the rotten part, as it's been doing this for a looooong time, just getting worse now that the warranty is on its last gasps of life.
/j