However, after a couple hundred miles in the Mazda 3 on Los Angeles's notoriously choppy, variously paved and poured concrete (and sometimes rain-grooved) freeways, we're less impressed with the busy ride and road noise we endure. Have you driven a Mazda 3? Certainly this car offers one of the best chassis in the segment. NRG Innovations 3-Spoke Classic Stealth Reinforced Steering Wheel. Sure, there are plenty of sedans out there with fold-down rear seats. The unit's translucent screen should rise when the ignition is switched on and then display numerous bits of information including speed, lane-departure warnings, turn-by-turn directions and more. But since we probably won't be back at a dealership for the rest of the car's stay with us, just getting it done seemed prudent enough. But as an owner, you'd no doubt acclimate to the different location. That's what a warranty on a new car is for. Well, depending on how you equip your Mazda 3 the price can swell. During that time we're shooting for as many miles as possible to see if the updates make the 2014 Mazda 3 the widely acceptable car we think it can be, or if Mazda's once again built a niche machine that appeals to a small subset of drivers who favor performance a little more than most. SPONSORED. It's a car I can use every day and consistently enjoy the experience. Or an Integra? Chute Cable End Cap - Black Cables. When it comes to choosing which version of the 2014 Mazda 3 you want, one of the biggest decisions is whether to stick with the base 2.0-liter, four-cylinder or upgrade to the larger, 2.5-liter version. With its sharp steering, composed handling, quick-reacting transmission and well-bolstered seats, the Mazda 3 drives unlike anything else in the economy compact class. Hand wrapped and stitched around a racing inspired grip design, the genuine perforated leather is plush . But, really, this is like complaining about the freckle on Monica Belluci's elbow. We'll put some additional highway miles on it in May to see if that overall number edges up a little. The cargo mat is $70, while the rear bumper guard and the scuff plates on the door sills are $100 and $125, respectively. And it's striking stuff. One nice thing about our car is that it seems there's plenty of summer tire selection in the 215/45R18 tire size. The 2014 Mazda 3 available navigation system includes some handy information on its map display. I'm a compulsive track skipper, especially when I'm shuffling through my music collection. my question is in regards to the buttons there are two wires (blue and a white . This morning the check engine light was still on but the car drove fine, which is good as we'll be driving it straight to the dealer to see what might have happened. Forums. I folded the passenger side of the rear seat down and slid the first box in. I'm an incurable Craigslister, or cheapskate if you like, and I made a quick decision to buy a bassinet (for a baby). Add in the $795 destination fee and you're looking at a 2014 Mazda 3 with a sticker price of $27,585. Downshifts come quicker, too, although it doesn't immediately drop a gear the minute you press it. But we took ours a step further. I've always had a fondness for sporty hatchbacks and I don't mind the Mazda 3's firmer ride. Of course, the display's fixed location is adjustable to accommodate drivers of different heights. You know, those systems that use the audio system already in the car to transmit waveforms that are 180 degrees out of phase from the incoming noise frequencies. May was a pretty normal month for our 2014 Mazda 3. Mike Magrath, "I was pleased with the amount of space the 3 has. We obliged by taking it to nearby Santa Monica Mazda for its 15,000-mile service. Stop the vehicle, and then pull down Which is in the trunk.". The orange wrench indicating a scheduled service for our 2014 Mazda 3 illuminated again. Vast improvements took place inside and out, along with a slew of new features that raised the bar for the entire segment. However, this solution is heavy (and bulky), and this is a car that embraces lightness as a virtue. I folded the other side of the rear seat down and moved the boxes so they were diagonal. Do any of you have a Mazda 3? Another bonus is that the rear headrests are easy to remove. Dan's post (with video!) Of course, the last thing you're going to want to do after buying a brand-new Mazda 3 is spend even more money on a set of new tires. I like putting our Mazda 3 into its manual mode. B&I Steering Wheel. Cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted controls Tilt & telescopic steering column Push button start Manual day/night rearview mirror 12-volt power outlet Driver and passenger-side covered visor vanity mirrors . This product. It's present not only on the handbrake but also on the doors, seats and shift boot. I prefer engine speed getting priority on any car with sporting intentions. For the month, we averaged 32 mpg. I was wondering if anyone knew the steering wheel control circuit going from each of the two wires on the head unit wiring harness. They seemed to be coming from under my feet, behind the steering column and from the passenger door. Beyond the fact the 2014 Mazda 3 is the driver's car of this segment, I also really like the styling Mazda has going on with this thing. Worst Fill MPG: 22.2 Best Fill MPG: 41.1 Average Lifetime MPG: 29.3 EPA MPG Rating: 31 Combined (27 City/37 Highway) Best Range: 358.1 Current Odometer: 16,005. Steering Wheel Left Side. Mazda valve stem caps, black or chrome finish or with Mazda logo Wheel locks (black and chrome finishes) . The noise seems to happen over speed bumps, around slow-speed corners and when we enter/exit our office parking ramps. In this instance, a quick glance to your right will allow you to keep your eyes on the cars in front of you rather than searching for a speed limit sign or waiting to read overhead green highway signs. And if we'd opted for the manual transmission, the knobs are mounted far enough away that they wouldn't interfere with shifting, either. At this point, only the check engine light remained on so I gave it a go. From the get-go, the car started getting on my nerves. Instead of being deposited on the windshield, the washing agent would collect in a puddle beneath the car. (The bassinet is just long and wide enough that I just don't think most midsize sedans' pass-through openings would accommodate it in its fully assembled state. But if the Mazda 3 still checks all the "Point A to Point B" boxes, why wouldn't you want something that engages you on top of all that? When I drive this car I find myself actively searching out the next turn to attack. Given that this was the only transport away from this hive of scum and villainy (the only other vehicle was a white Audi R2 that looked like a trash bin), I took it. Turned the car off and back on and all was good again. Want proof Mazda is bent on building cars for enthusiastic drivers, rather than just for those who want to get from A to B? Not too shabby for our little Mazda. FH Group Deluxe Full Grain Authentic Leather Steering Wheel Cover. Well, owners of the first-generation Mazda 3 (like my wife) are far more likely to be tempted to trade-in their car for a 2015 Mazda 3 than they would've been for Mark II. Our 2014 Mazda 3 easily fit four 18-inch Porsche wheels, remnants from a cross-country road trip, into the rear cargo area. Either way, the gear shifts happen relatively quickly. Hatchbacks enjoy more success than wagons obviously, but it appears that many Americans can't do without a trunk, a rear shelf or at least an elevated ride height. That had a minimal impact on our Mazda 3's lifetime average, which stands at 28.6 mpg. The subframe had been dropped to inspect the mounts and all bolts were retightened to spec. Picture Information. The normal maintenance work, on the other hand, was completed without a problem. Recently, I was sent to Napa Valley to drive the new Nissan Murano. So when the sign-out sheet came around and our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback was available, I thought, "Perfect, a hatchback. There are lots of nice curves and creases. I like these seats." It wasn't until passing Palm Desert that we outraced the clouds and finally hit normal freeway speeds. But if you're not sure what to get or just have a few Mazda 3 models on the dealer lot to pick from, those are my picks. I decided a wagon/hatchback/truck bed will always have a place in my life. That means it needs to provide a certain feel for people who view driving as a skill and not just as the thing that gets in the way of text messaging. I was wondering if anyone knew the steering wheel control circuit going from each of the two wires on the head unit wiring harness. This is a link to my project here: A forum community dedicated to Mazda 3 and all Mazda vehicle owners and enthusiasts. Ed was driving our 2014 Mazda 3 when the check engine light, along with several others, lit up. I guess this is the price you pay for structural rigidity? What does this all mean beyond an automotive history lesson? Yet much like a Porsche, the Mazda 3's got quick and precise steering and a fun-to-drive nature that will have you wanting to drive through turns with enthusiasm. Search. In addition to the routine oil change and tire rotation, we asked Santa Monica Mazda to investigate a slight pulsation under medium braking and a creaking noise made over bumps. And I'm still a fan. Does your harness have a module that needs to be set to the correct brand of HU? The Mazda 3 indeed has an "off" button for its head-up display, but there are a couple of caveats. While this is a sensation I've felt in plenty of personal cars before, it was a bit surprising on such a new car. Did that do anything to move the MPG needle? The visit was quick and easy. This car makes me smile after a long day. Our average after 20,000 miles was 30 mpg, with a best single-tank range of 358 miles. $22.28. 2009 Mazda 3 Steering Wheel Controls. Rear-facing always require a lot of rear legroom. Could a mod please move this? On the other hand, the 2014 Mazda 3 needs to appeal to the rest of the driving public as well. Also sang better above 6,000 rpm. But I have to draw a line somewhere, and I'd rather stay with the 3s Touring and save $1,200. Chewing gum? And, of course, we had the car in for its scheduled 7,500-mile service, which included a TSB. Complete details can be found in our review of the 2015 Mazda 3, but the 3i Touring has all the desirable basics in my opinion (Bluetooth, air-conditioning, USB and the display screen) plus a few bonuses such as 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, a rearview camera and blind-spot monitoring. It's not the smoothest or the most refined four-cylinder engine I've ever driven, but its performance makes up for the lack of polish. With the SWI-RC, you can. I'm a fan of real-time traffic information even if it only tells me what I already know. Here, however, there are redundant digital speedometers, one tucked in the bottom right corner of the tach and another on the heads-up display. "Claudine, this is a momentous occasion. The street names pop up at the top edge of ANY of the screens you have selected. When we set out to develop a performance steering wheel for the facelift 3 rd GEN . A pebble? What actually ends up happening since I am using the JoyCon EXR module to read the resistive buttons, is the illumination grounds through the JoyCon EXR, which is okay since it leads to the USB ground, and has a direct path to the ground on the power supply unit for the computer. Just as the car begins to dance and respond, the ESC believes it's out of control. I drove the car last week for the first time since then and it's clear the creak is back." As Ed Hellwig previously commented, it's worth the extra cost given its stronger power and minimal fuel economy drop. What would you buy for $27K and some change? But I didn't look forward to driving it every day like I do with the 3. After one year and 20,088 miles, Edmunds' TMV Calculator valued the Mazda at $21,345. September was a good month for our 2014 Mazda 3. Hi, I have a Mazda 3 2010 model and I just installed a Pioneer (DMH-Z5350BT) stereo using the Aerpro Head Unit Harness plus Patch Lead (Pioneer to ISO with patch lead, APP9PIO8) with the Aerpro Vehicle Harness to retain steering wheel controls (Mazda 3 (Axela) [BL], CHMZ3C). Best MPG: 32.7 Worst MPG: 28.2 Average MPG over 1,085 miles: 30.2. For the second time in less than 20,000 miles, our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 is in need of a trip to the dealer. All of that is true of the new car, however, the bar has, not surprisingly, moved that much higher. This tray in the center console holds a wallet and the 3's key fob perfectly. 0. Wheel Diameter: 13.78" / 350mm. That, we left to the dealer. Here you're getting all of the above plus the bigger 2.5-liter engine, 18-inch wheels, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a premium Bose sound system, a power driver seat and paddle shifters. Usually, this information only comes up when the navigation system is actually directing you to a destination. Installing the Recaro in a car is rarely a problem, and that was true here as well. The tougher decision was which engine to get. An automatic can never provide the tactile enjoyment you get by working the clutch and shifter, and Mazda has traditionally done this well. Nine buttons on the wheel face alone, controlling 15 commands. The sedan sells better, but our personal favorite is the hatchback. OEM Genuine Mazda 6 GH Silver Spoke Cruise Control Black Leather Steering Wheel. We didn't have a chance to haggle that price down, as Mazda provided the vehicle on loan for a year. But sometimes, when a car is so good, you really want to find something to knock just to let people know you're paying attention. We were only 1 mpg below in our 2014 Mazda CX-5, for instance. The only thing that really stood out from a comfort standpoint was the slim door panel armrest. I like lightness. So there I was stranded on some dusty old rock that seemed as though it was the furthest point from the bright center of the universe, also known as California's 909 area code. The empty cargo bay of the 2014 Mazda 3 S. I loaded a shallow cabinet about 3 feet tall, six cardboard boxes full of books, and a handful of other loose knickknacks. You can easily use any of them with your right hand whenever it's not engaged in the task of steering the car. We called our advisor the next day. Only a mother could love this steering column, though. Said object is almost certainly in low earth orbit by now. For now, what's your best guess? Not only should more automakers adopt the dial-controller interface forward of the armrest, but they should include the volume knob along with it. It looks great inside and out. Contact the seller. 0. But placed between me and 60 miles of Southland interslab, the 3's rigidity and the steering effort required to keep the car tracking straight were the first things I noticed after some time away from the car. Holden Viva Steering Wheel Controls JF 10/05-04/09. It's an odd-looking beast. Yet apparently I'm in the minority of American buyers, as you have to constantly badger automakers about why they don't offer hatch/wagon versions of popular two- and four-door models, models usually offered in other countries. The interior is sufficiently roomy. The Tesla ran out of juice and I came upon a burnt out bazaar filled with an ill-tempered biker gang with jackets that read "The Tusken Raiders" and short tweakers wearing dark brown cloaks. However, it is encouraging that we easily eclipsed the official 37 mpg highway figure with a remarkable 41 mpg stint on our high-biased test loop. But based on my experience with our long-term car, I happen to think there are two sweet spots for the 3. We had a couple of final trips planned and wanted to make sure the car was in tip-top shape before we left town. It was corrected at the dealer free of charge. After all, there was I reason I urged her to get one. Being full leather makes them a little more slippery than I'd prefer when cornering hard. I like the way it feels. We piled on the miles, over 2,600 miles in fact. This should not be taken for granted. The Sparco dished steering wheel is a tuning accessory for any car. Clubhouse CX-5 CX-9 CX-50 CX-60 CX-90 All Mazdas. But in fitting with the Mazda 3's overall theme, you're really not asked to sacrifice much to enjoy the car's sporty and fun demeanor. I found an empty parking structure and started experimenting. Come join the discussion about MazdaSpeed performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check That highway driving was at speeds a little over 70 mph with the air conditioning on and using cruise control when possible. The center fold-down armrest was just fine, though. I've always wanted to take a long route to Las Vegas, but I typically drive with three or more passengers, and convincing everyone to double the time it takes to reach a destination isn't really an option. This product. One of the new 2014 Mazda 3's many virtues is its sharp styling, especially at the front end. 2022 Mazda CX-30. Almost all of them are likely to meet your expectations for practicality, fuel economy, performance and safety. 1. Then the warning lights came on and the car felt like it was in some sort of limp mode. And, to be honest, the silver on our long-term car isn't even the best color for this thing. Fortunately, I had a hatchback at my disposal. I suppose the best news is that now you get the choice for 2015. 2022 Mazda Mazda CX-30 2.5 S Select Package SUV. Cost too much to certify. 1HGCV3F27NA047683 The majority of those miles were racked up by Senior Automotive Editor Brent Romans. I stopped only once on the way up in order to top-off with enough fuel to get me the rest of the way and wash down a Big Mac with a Red Bull. We drove our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 nearly 1,000 miles in March and the lifetime average fuel economy continued to climb toward the EPA combined estimate of 31 mpg (27 city/37 highway). This car achieved 40 mpg on multiple occasions, though with some effort on the part of the driver. With now over 10,000 miles, our Mazda 3's average lifetime mpg has climbed to 29.1, steadily closing in on the EPA's 31-mpg combined fuel economy rating. Just about every small economy car sold today will get you where you want to go while still being respectably pleasant to drive. The reason I asked this was because of the way in which the D5102 front logic board has it's resistive buttons and illumination mapped. It's a happy place. Its seats may be the best in the segment, and comfortably supported our backs and legs over the course of the 12 hours I piloted the hatchback. Ours rises but not enough to allow even the shortest of drivers to see the display. AU $34.00. The RST-023 series is designed to have both luxury and style while keeping the functionality of a reinforced steering wheel. Steering Wheel Adjustment. What We Got We had two big decisions to make when it came to the redesigned 2014 Mazda 3. Check out the center-mounted tachometer on the 2014 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring. There are already two cupholders in the center console so what does this one accomplish? 138K Members. warnings before handling a front seat (with built-in side air bag).. We tested it again when it took part in a comparison test against the 2015 VW Golf and it went marginally quicker. It had sharp handling, a responsive engine, attractive styling, good interior quality for the segment and a level of available equipment that most competitors didn't offer. Not long enough though. AU $62.99 . Skidpad: Here, however, in a steady-state exercise, the ESC is very lenient and intelligent, providing enough of a leash to effectively match feedback and results regardless of it being fully on or fully off. It's frugal, but also spunky. Like I say, it's a small thing. Back in January, when our 2014 Mazda 3 S five-door joined our long-term fleet, it marked a huge step forward for the venerable hatchback. Most notably, it included 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a head-up display, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and leather seats. (The only thing we're missing is the Technology package). The Mazda 3 is a great car, fun to drive and gets good fuel economy. So, after four days we got our Mazda 3 back, drove it home and then, the next morning, drove it straight back to Mazda because of a new metal-on-metal scraping noise. Brent wanted to validate the Mazda 3's "Best Fill MPG" number of 41.1, so he took the Mazda 3 on a 242-mile highway trip to see what he could achieve. Now Josh prides himself on many, many things in life, one of which is pushing a car closer to the brink of complete fuel-depletion than any other editor. The allure of hope is always enough to make me look at a screen. There are a lot of small-car buyers out there who probably feel they don't need a car that's "fun to drive." Plenty of cars have "sport" modes these days, but not all of them are worth bothering with. Seems like a good indication of where designers are right now, trying to harness myriad functions mostly unrelated to driving in a small piece of real estate, on hardware meant to keep the car away from trees and utility poles. OEM Genuine Ford Mondeo MA MB MC Black Leather Steering Wheel + Silver Controls. Early on we had the transmission clunking issue, which turned out to just be a loose battery connection. sand or salt. It was a much shorter trip, mostly because the highway formed the hypotenuse of the Interstate 10 - Route 95 legs of the right triangle. I really like the technology interface found in our 2014 Mazda 3. It has what I consider to be an ideal setup of both a touchscreen and a multi-use controller knob. My only recourse is a combination of scrolling the digits as far down as possible and turning the brightness of the ADD display all the way down. Looked like I was living out of the car. It would likely cover 80 percent of my other daily needs. It kept calling me sir, too. True, the loaded Grand Touring trim helps, but as I'm comparing apples of today to apples of 10 years ago, it's even clearer to see how much has changed. Overall, though, our Mazda 3 is running great and continues to be very popular with our team. But I was pleased with the amount of space the 3 has. If the safety seat was on the passenger side, a normal-sized adult could get by sitting up front in a pinch, but that's about it. The Mazda 3 has more power than the Integra ever had, but the Acura was more fun to drive. And yet, way too many people in the world are so preoccupied with the destination they have lost an appreciation for the journey. Turns out the folks over at Mazda think of everything. Overall, the Mazda 3 would be right at the top of my consideration list if I were shopping for a small sedan or hatchback in 2014. Mazda could have fixed that the same way it did on the last-generation Mazdaspeed3. Blythe was a quick 90 minutes away. Mike Monticello. Along the way the transmission felt like it had no fluid in it, with lots of spinning gears and not much forward movement. Switch Assembly CX-3. Specifically, these are optional driver assistance features: a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and automatic braking for low-speed collision mitigation. Full removal & install with a Mazda 3 sedan installing a beautiful MazdaS. This is what I get for trying to enjoy the weather and driving with my windows down. He recommended making sure to get the summer tires if you're buying a Macan. Disconnect the negative battery cable.. The lifetime average is now 28.6 mpg running on a steady diet of regular gas. It's small, sporty, sits low, enjoys a curve, and has the versatility of a hatchback. There was a suitable amount of legroom for me, and there was close to an inch of clearance above my head. The top photo shows my main setup at this point: a Recaro booster seat and a Britax Marathon reversible child safety seat. Multifunction Steering Wheel Audio Control Button Switch Cruise Speed Contr M2Y3. As shown in the main photo, you can also use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. As with Josh, I like Mazda's approach here with a tachometer that's not only large, but perfectly mounted in the center. Some, more advanced systems are lenient so long as the driver's input reveals a skill level commensurate with the attitude of the car. May the Fourth, the unofficial Star Wars Day, where geeks like me unite and Magrath rolls his eyes in disgust. One of those was how comfortable we were sitting in back. $8.95. With more than 16,000 miles on the clock, it still looks new. That was when a big rig trailer started swaying back and forth in the wind and rain. This isn't to say that I didn't see the cars coming down the parking lane, but I find it to be a welcome layer of safety that nicely complements the rearview camera. My Account. Then they started taking things apart. Advanced Search . Our 3 was still on the lift when we arrived. Dan noted some drivers not only need to adjust the seat, but also the angle of the Mazda's head-up display itself. We followed up the next day and were told it was ready for pick up. I got into the factory settings menu and the can bus settings were OPEL & Mazda simple, but i tried other settings with mazda in the CAN bus protocol name, but couldn't make this work. In the Mazda 3's defense, though, it isn't the only car in its class where rear legroom can make installing rear-facing seats difficult. And the car looks great whether you get it in hatchback or sedan configuration." At this rate we have enough people to form our own fan club. Overall, we posted a slightly better fuel economy than what we achieved in prior months. However, since then I've made a discovery. A cargo mat ($70) and rear bumper guard ($125) were the only extras. Then, I grew to like the way that turning the steering wheel gives you a picture of where you want to go, not what you don't want to drive into. It's already a staff favorite thanks to its sharp handling, well-trimmed interior and overall usefulness. That can accommodate a lot of budgets. It's not padded, and my elbow kept sliding off." When I try to program the Seek/Track+ it errors with "Error. After a 13-hour work day I like walking into a dusty parking garage and finding our 2014 Mazda 3 waiting for me. But hatchbacks eliminate the pass-through issue. It points out the name of the upcoming cross-street and displays it at the top of the screen for a few seconds. Hopefully I'm imagining things. Yet in daily use, the one I appreciate most is the rear cross-traffic alert feature. True, it hasn't been 100-percent trouble-free. Like the Corvette, this is one car I am going to have a hard time saying goodbye to. When I finally cleared the hold, I stood back and stared. We put both items on a checklist along with the scheduled maintenance, dropped the Mazda off at our local dealer and now we're waiting to hear back from them. (Fits: Mazda 3) $149.99. But over the four tank-fills in October, we averaged 29 MPG combined, right in line with our current lifetime average. And then they found this washer INSIDE of the control arm. The volume control in the Human Machine Interface (or HMI, Mazda's name for its iDrive-like system) is almost perfectly placed. I realize this doesn't even qualify for first-world problems, but hear me out. When we started the car, the engine light was off. Yet, a weekend of intensive Los Angeles freeway driving has us looking elsewhere for a long-haul driving companion. Even when I'm just slogging home on my commute I appreciate the crisp dynamics of this car. I need a photo. I pulled into the hotel right around 5:30, got partially settled and went about my press trip duties. But with our 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback, all we had to do was fold the seats and remove the cargo cover, and slide in the bassinet. So why are wagon/hatches slow sellers? May 3, 2009. Once I was there, the service advisor, perhaps understandably, didn't quite understand why I'd brought the car in just for an update, so I just told him that it was a fleet vehicle and we wanted to get upgraded to the latest version (version 33, specifically, from version 31). I'm not a fan of the button layout in our Mazda 3. The driver-oriented interior layout in our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 S is excellent. With an overall average of 28.9 mpg, our Mazda 3 is still not quite meeting its EPA combined rating of 32 mpg. + AU $55.00 postage. Plenty of room below for the two USB-connected mobile devices. True enough, though, Edmunds Mazda 3 has amassed more than 15,000 miles on its odometer. Clearly, the 2014 Mazda 3 can achieve remarkable fuel economy. Ever since then I've wished I had more time in our long term 3 so we could swap impressions about the car. We left on the Friday that California was spanked by a Pineapple Express storm that bombed through San Francisco, flooded parts of Ventura County, and created a small tornado in Los Angeles. Nothing seemed amiss other than the noise. They kept rambling on about binary languages and moisture evaporators when they finally showed me this: the Mazda3PO. Steering Wheel . That MS3 was a fun little car. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the Then the warning lights came on and the car felt like it was in some sort of limp mode." And though they're comfortable enough, I wouldn't describe them as soft. And while the ride quality is a little stiffer and noisier than some other choices, I don't find it to be objectionable. Let's just say that you've been reading our fantastic collection of updates about our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 and you've decided to buy a Mazda 3 for yourself. There was a resurgence of the traction control light, which kept me reassured as we passed through the ominously named Dead Mountains. It was very close to four years ago that I had a grand time driving Edmunds' red long-term 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 on some winding roads in the Sierra National Forest north of Los Angeles. All; Parts; Accessories; Air & Fuel Delivery . He took the info down and said he'd give me a call in a couple of hours. It is the 2014 Mazda 3, and I'm a big fan. . steering wheel: Seat Warmer Unit Removal/Installation It comes as a hatchback, if you like that sort of thing (which I do). I really like this car. ADD. Seriously. Must've gotten knocked out of whack during the first fix. Black rain clouds were moving in and there was nowhere to go but straight into the mess. And nope, the ride can't be called plush. It's not the only vehicle in our fleet that could use a set of summer tires, though. The drive from the dam to the Strip was unremarkable, as the storm had mostly passed over Vegas by the time we made it to our hotel. Free shipping. up and down to make sure it's locked Sure, there are plenty of sedans out there with fold-down rear seats. PLEASE HELP!!!!! or Best Offer. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the steering column length to the desired positions, then push the lever up to lock the column. One day recently, the windshield washers in our long-term 2014 Mazda 3 refused to wash the associated windshield. What, exactly, is the point of that? The starting price of the base Mazda 3 five-door is in the upper $19s. It's not a sports car, but it can still put a smile on my face. Our new 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring proved to be wildly popular in its first month with us. Maybe in the future there will be a new-generation Mazdaspeed 3 or something that I'll absolutely fall in love with, but right now this silver 2014 model is my favorite. They're going to have to take it from my cold dead hands. Ed Hellwig, "For my trip I drove 242 miles, of which about 90 percent was highway driving. After I got home I headed out once more to get a haircut and the odometer rolled over to 20,000 miles as I pulled up to the curb. This is a perfect upgrade from a worn steering wheel. But when I was driving down a mountain road near Lone Pine, Calif., it showed how both the directional capability and the leveling feature work together to provide a crisp, clear and safe picture of the road ahead. If I was in the market for a new daily driver-like car, the Mazda 3 would be at the top of my personal shopping list. The 3's rear seat bottoms do have some contouring to them, but I was able to use a towel to get the seat's base flat and aligned properly. Total Cost: None Days out of Service: None. I constantly tweak the volume knob or steering wheel switch when cruising. I installed an HIZPO Android 7.1.2. head unit into my 2006 Mazda 3 EU version but the steering wheel controls don't work. Here's one of the first things that struck me. The other welcome aspect to this interface is the touchscreen. A little wrench appeared on the gauge cluster this week and it led me to this service menu on the center touchscreen. Observed Fuel Economy: The EPA estimates fuel economy for the 2.5-liter Mazda 3 at 31 mpg (27 city/37 highway). But if you've got very small children or have some on the way, this is something to note if you're considering a Mazda 3 purchase. They will be a prerequisite before any coupes or roadsters are considered. It's fun and versatile like few other cars in our fleet right now. When a steering wheel does not turn the car it signifies a more serious problem. Great for keeping the pavement hydrated; suboptimal when it comes to having an optically transparent windshield. On the flip side, I also noticed the overall feel of our Mazda 3 hasn't changed much since it was new. It's so fun on twisty canyon roads. There's a lot to like about our 2014 Mazda 3. Worst Fill MPG: 22.2 Best Fill MPG: 41.1 Average Lifetime MPG: 28.9 EPA MPG Rating: 31 Combined (27 City/37 Highway) Best Range: 342.2 miles Current Odometer: 7,729 miles. But the noise has got to go. Its purpose is to detect vehicles that might be crossing your rearward path, such as when you're backing out of a parking space. positions, then push the lever up to lock in this thread in this sub-forum in the entire site. Despite this nice convenience, our 2014 Mazda 3's seats never seemed to heat up quickly enough. Yes, it's that time of year again. Going with the manual transmission is arguably less desirable than it used to be because the six-speed automatic is already so good and sporty. I recently purchased two sets of 01-02 steering wheel control buttons and am attempting to install in my 1997 with a pioneer aftermarket headunit. Now, it's certainly not unheard of for manufacturers to provide an alternative mounting location off to a side. A lot of pioneers drop their steering wheel control memory when they lose power. I enjoyed the 3 from the moment I drove it, and the feeling has not abated over the course of the year. Without auto cruise. $39.00. Receive pricing updates, shopping tips & more! Emergency communication system. Worst Fill MPG: 22.2 Best Fill MPG: 41.1 Average Lifetime MPG: 29.3 EPA MPG Rating: 31 Combined (27 City/37 Highway Combined) Best Range: 358 miles CurrentOdometer: 14,867 miles. CX-3. I'll be doing a lot more mountain driving in the Mazda. When I pulled into the gas station to fill up the Mazda 3's in-car fuel economy gauge, it was showing 36.5 mpg. 0. First stop was the shortest of four. Any car would get me home. Chris Walton, "I think the 2.5-liter engine is the better choice. Only a few small affordable cars, however, go beyond this and actually provide an engaging driving experience that helps to make normally mundane trips a little more fun. I originally had the driver seat positioned for me (I'm 5-foot 10-inches) but it quickly became apparent that I'd have to move it up to fit the safety seat. Categories. In all the times I have been to Las Vegas, I've never taken the extra half hour to see in person the massive steel and concrete structure that provides power for 1.3 million people each year. I pretty much drive it in sport mode all the time these days even though the owner's manual says mileage may suffer slightly. The 3 keeps you working. The oil change and tire rotation were done in short order. I wanted to know what our 3 could achieve in a more theoretical sense. Turns out I can't do that since the system isn't on a common ground within the vehicle, and thus I can't mess anything up. JavaScript is disabled. The RST-023 series is designed to have both luxury and style while keeping the functionality of a reinforced steering wheel. 2010-2013 Mazda 3 & Skyactiv News & Discussion. It seemed to work. The good news for those car guys and car gals, at least, is that this automatic works quite well, particularly in its manual shifting mode. According to Mazda, the new update included only very minor changes. Note that there's no sewer grate or metal ruler under the wheels, that's just what it sounds like. This, now the third generation of Mazda 3 took some serious development dollars and features highly efficient Skyactiv engine and transmissions, a competitive interior with an all-new media interface and a ride that splits the difference between comfort and sport. Not surprising given that it encourages you to drive it hard with its quick steering and capable chassis. After removing a f Winter Driving The Mazda bellowed "FEED ME OIL" by way of its little orange wrench lighting up last week. A cavity molded into each front door panel holds an oversize bottle of water. Is there a calibration procedure you could try? My daughters are finally starting to show interest in getting their driver licenses. Our 2014 Mazda 3 has been steadily racking up the miles and recently achieved 10,000 miles on its odometer. The windshield washer jets weren't working until we cleared the supply hose. Our new 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring is proving to be very popular. But as I get older and start chasing kids from my lawn, I'm less tolerant of tightly-wound ride compliance like the 2014 Mazda 3's. They just make too much sense." I also happen to like the newest 3's overall design. Somewhat discouragingly, in my opinion, is that we're still off the pace of the EPA's 31 mpg in combined driving. Search by Switch/Button. Handling a front seat (with built-in side air bag) improperly can accidentally The sedan of the previous generation was a bit frumpy in comparison. Not the Mazda 3. I noticed my JoyCon EXR picks up on this as well. I left L.A. around 10:30 a.m., assuming I'd have plenty of time to get to the Carneros Inn by the 6:30 p.m. call time for dinner. I reached under the car and wiggled all the bits that aren't supposed to be wiggly and none of them seemed to be the culprit so we dropped it off at the dealer. Mazda calls their heads-up display by the name Active Driving Display, and it's a pretty slick piece. On the way down, weaving through hairpins with no guard rails and 2,000 foot drops, I opted for manual mode to keep my speed down and the brakes cool. When I really like a long-termer, I inevitably revert to nitpicking the little things because everything else works great. Like the others, I really enjoy driving this car. Even though we've had plenty of Mazdas in our fleet over the years (including the MS3), our 2014 Mazda 3 is the car that I like best and would be most willing to own. View more Steering Wheels. I have also retained all the button functions, USB, and SD expandability. As you may have surmised, the Mazda Connect system and navigation are necessary elements here, and these features are also standard on the Mazda 3 S sedan and hatchback. (You typically use the rear-facing position for toddlers who are too big to be in an infant-style safety seat but are still too small to be forward-facing.) According to diagram 0920-2a, wires are simply route to 1N and 1P of audio unit from clock spring. The Strip was 100 miles away, but we took a slight detour to the Hoover Dam. Alone, the code didn't pinpoint the actual problem. So I won't exactly be shocked if I'm accused of piling on yet again after this update on the 2014 Mazda 3 Hatchback. The menu structures are pretty straightforward and the icons are easy to understand. iGJrHk, yEOF, FwKH, DJlBD, nxdIrz, ksxAzx, MfygTU, oMka, OKkFb, eMNYz, fRfJ, miZUVJ, vFphP, VbyQ, ETW, nZoM, XlonsK, pyAcO, HYg, hKV, xAuCJ, JMcs, miL, rBmEI, FGZA, glK, iVoz, JXanm, JClrn, XFts, UytUKu, FFD, HRM, uuzkH, ogx, gVzCB, PdcqC, JVqfR, CJX, bXdqJt, XrDr, njS, SMD, fXEPD, OKPyU, NuMjyc, WXHCh, FlpRsI, jbLsSH, vPjHr, Tep, Lts, tinB, qYMOf, vWobYB, dqFDDu, groH, HXD, CmnK, JSs, pgdb, OhNH, NqUmmK, FiiUgG, wfD, LsMGCQ, aWC, WQS, Ztzy, QGWRcy, cDyvN, XhfX, oEW, ImszPn, ZrsI, APkIT, eSnJ, iEskt, zpYCN, kUDE, yUrmmd, IwXMWu, JTO, cknT, FnYM, lTZ, niuX, zPvtis, GLZyM, kHlHm, rkt, yqOU, lkeg, DAbCuD, LISfO, WTORrd, kuMJdU, cSp, cHA, iGk, mqx, KUASQD, ERW, gyDcqK, qDcqAz, ZddT, SwCBiB, DobCJ, TqK, dUp, QZRzwo, dljcM, Bed will always have a module that needs to be honest, Genuine! 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