twobytwo
08-16-2012, 04:44 PM
Hello Toronto Mazda 3!
I'm from here in Toronto and have been driving european for the last few years. My last asian car was an 89 Celica in University.
Anyway - This week I got an Auto 2006 Mazda 3 GT Sedan in relatively good condition (59km's!) at a decent price. However the combination of not having an owners manual and a bunch of things different from my previous brand have made this a learning experience. This is also my first automatic or 4 door car in over 12 years. I'm coming from a GTI… the 3 is bigger and weight is roughly the same, but having a turbo'd 236tq (chipped) manual transmission car with stiff suspension... The 3 is like on a different planet of drivability for me… at least it might get me driving a little more sensibly. And REGULAR gas in the 3… oh man, thats a plus... I think I already saved $10 in one fillup.
(Mods - if the following should be in a Technical forum, I'll move it there)
Can someone let me know some technical data?
HP? Torque for this engine? Motor size?
Fuel economy… what are some numbers people are getting from a tank of gas? How big is the gas tank?
What is the oil capacity?
Wheel Bolt pattern is 114.3 - correct?
I'd like to use this as a chance to point out some things i've noticed and don't understand, if someone might be so kind to clarify for me...
Remote Start - car has a remote start but I cant get it to work. Instructions say to press the lock button and then the start one. My doors lock, and after pressing start, theres a short horn "beep" and the parking lights flash… the engine doesn't start and then my parking lights stay on for a little. Any simple troubleshooting I could do?
left front speaker is definitely quieter than the right front with the balance set at 0. Is this normal or has one speaker become deteriorated/receiving less of a signal?
The radio has a "media" button, but I can't find any kind of aux jack anywhere. Did mazda install a button that doesn't go to anything?
Is there a bracket to replace the odd-shaped stereo and install a standard DIN aftermarket stereo deck? Is there a How-To guide?
Whats the best way to open the trunk from outside? I feel like im going to snap the key if i pull up on the trunk with it, and its a little tight to get my fingers under the lid to pull it up…. there's no real "handle" and the lid doesn't pop up much when unlocked. What do YOU do?
What are the km/age intervals for BIG jobs like timing belt/water pump? I couldn't find that on the website.
I'm noticing a teeny tiny bit of rust creeping from a corner by the tail light assemblies built into the trunk lid that ill sand out and paint; are there any other common areas for rust I should keep an eye on?
I think thats all I've noticed so far.... I mean it's only been 2 days, I might think of more :)
I'm from here in Toronto and have been driving european for the last few years. My last asian car was an 89 Celica in University.
Anyway - This week I got an Auto 2006 Mazda 3 GT Sedan in relatively good condition (59km's!) at a decent price. However the combination of not having an owners manual and a bunch of things different from my previous brand have made this a learning experience. This is also my first automatic or 4 door car in over 12 years. I'm coming from a GTI… the 3 is bigger and weight is roughly the same, but having a turbo'd 236tq (chipped) manual transmission car with stiff suspension... The 3 is like on a different planet of drivability for me… at least it might get me driving a little more sensibly. And REGULAR gas in the 3… oh man, thats a plus... I think I already saved $10 in one fillup.
(Mods - if the following should be in a Technical forum, I'll move it there)
Can someone let me know some technical data?
HP? Torque for this engine? Motor size?
Fuel economy… what are some numbers people are getting from a tank of gas? How big is the gas tank?
What is the oil capacity?
Wheel Bolt pattern is 114.3 - correct?
I'd like to use this as a chance to point out some things i've noticed and don't understand, if someone might be so kind to clarify for me...
Remote Start - car has a remote start but I cant get it to work. Instructions say to press the lock button and then the start one. My doors lock, and after pressing start, theres a short horn "beep" and the parking lights flash… the engine doesn't start and then my parking lights stay on for a little. Any simple troubleshooting I could do?
left front speaker is definitely quieter than the right front with the balance set at 0. Is this normal or has one speaker become deteriorated/receiving less of a signal?
The radio has a "media" button, but I can't find any kind of aux jack anywhere. Did mazda install a button that doesn't go to anything?
Is there a bracket to replace the odd-shaped stereo and install a standard DIN aftermarket stereo deck? Is there a How-To guide?
Whats the best way to open the trunk from outside? I feel like im going to snap the key if i pull up on the trunk with it, and its a little tight to get my fingers under the lid to pull it up…. there's no real "handle" and the lid doesn't pop up much when unlocked. What do YOU do?
What are the km/age intervals for BIG jobs like timing belt/water pump? I couldn't find that on the website.
I'm noticing a teeny tiny bit of rust creeping from a corner by the tail light assemblies built into the trunk lid that ill sand out and paint; are there any other common areas for rust I should keep an eye on?
I think thats all I've noticed so far.... I mean it's only been 2 days, I might think of more :)