Obviously you bought the car used...do you know if the transmission fluid has ever been changed? The ATX in the 3 likes to wear its fluid out rather quickly, so regular fluid changes are a must. I'd take it in to a dealer or other reputable shop (avoid a "quick-lube" type place) and get the fluid flushed.
transmission trouble...help!
I've had my Mazda 3 for about a week now and when I got it I had no problems whatsoever. Its a 2007 2.3 auto with 67000 miles on it. Now it feels like the transmission is shifting harder (especially from 1st to 2nd) and doesn't shift until about 2500 RPM's even when I'm driving soft. I checked the ATF and noticed it was about an inch higher than the fill mark could this be the problem? I'm going to drain some anyway. What do you think? 
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
yes they changed the fluid when I purchased it they just put too much in
When you check the fluid, are you checking it with the engine off? IIRC you should be checking it with the engine running (and the car in park, of course). I believe the fluid level appears to be higher with the engine off than with it running. In any event, if the level is truly an inch farther up the dipstick than the "full" notch, then there's probably a good quart too much fluid in there, so draining about that much would be a good idea.
Regarding the 1-2 shift, Mazda issued a software update that fixed that, but I don't remember if it applied to the 2007 models or not. My own 2006 had that problem, and the software update fixed it.
Regarding the 1-2 shift, Mazda issued a software update that fixed that, but I don't remember if it applied to the 2007 models or not. My own 2006 had that problem, and the software update fixed it.
Yes I did check it running, fully warmed up. That's interesting did you get that from the dealership?
Yep, my dealer did the software update for me. At the time I had them also do a few more software updates for other things, mostly poor fuel economy (I was getting maybe 24mpg max, up to 30-31mpg now). I have an '06 though, so the updates I got may not apply to you. I'm also not sure if your dealer will do any software updates for free for you, since you're probably out of warranty, but it would be worth your time to at least ask them.
yeah, I just don't want to waste my time and money on something that may or may not fix it. I'm just wondering if any 07's out there have this problem and if a software update worked.
Never heard of any 07s having shifting problems. Supposedly they had all the bugs worked out by then. Does yours shift rough after its warmed up or just cold? Because mine will sometimes shift a little firm until its warmed up...I think thats normal for automatics. Have you talked to the dealer yet?
Yeah it only shifts rough when its cold, but it pulls a lot more than it should. I heard from a mazda tech that these cars are made to shift at a higher RPM when the engine's cold to bring the car up to normal operating temps faster. I called my dealer today but got the machine. I will try to get over there this weekend.
Also, my car is an 07 but its an early 07 with an 06 build date...I'm not sure if that would make a difference or not.
Oh well, if it can't be resolved I'll be able to live with it, I still LOVE my car! :lol:
Also, my car is an 07 but its an early 07 with an 06 build date...I'm not sure if that would make a difference or not.
Oh well, if it can't be resolved I'll be able to live with it, I still LOVE my car! :lol:
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3078903#msg3078903 date=1240502783]
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
[quote author=azntaiji link=topic=136127.msg3113994#msg3113994 date=1241943275]
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3078903#msg3078903 date=1240502783]
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
[/quote]
I have been getting bad gas mileage (21-23mpg or so).
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3078903#msg3078903 date=1240502783]
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
[/quote]
I have been getting bad gas mileage (21-23mpg or so).
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3114361#msg3114361 date=1241979350]
[quote author=azntaiji link=topic=136127.msg3113994#msg3113994 date=1241943275]
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3078903#msg3078903 date=1240502783]
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
[/quote]
I have been getting bad gas mileage (21-23mpg or so).
[/quote]
Yeah, that could be a symptom. Is it taking forever to get hot air out of the vents?
[quote author=azntaiji link=topic=136127.msg3113994#msg3113994 date=1241943275]
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3078903#msg3078903 date=1240502783]
Well I talked to the dealership and I'm going soon to have them check everything out. But...
After researching for hours I came across another possibility! Could it be the thermostat that is giving me such trouble? The car does take a long time to warm up...If it is stuck open I might just need to get a replacement thermostat? Any thoughts?
[/quote]
If it's taking a long time to warm up, or if the needle of the engine temp gauge isn't exactly in the middle when it is warmed up, it's probably the Thermostat. (Or possibly the CTS). T-stat might be stuck open allowing to much coolant to flow to the engine, not letting it warm up as fast as it should. But I think if it's a faulty t-stat you would be experiencing a couple other problems. Anything else out of the norm?
[/quote]
I have been getting bad gas mileage (21-23mpg or so).
[/quote]
Yeah, that could be a symptom. Is it taking forever to get hot air out of the vents?
it's hard to say, as it's been pretty warm here and I've never driven a mazda before, but yeah it does seem to take quite awhile.
That hard shifting may be due to broken mounts also. Have the mounts checked.
[quote author=teckgnar link=topic=136127.msg3115102#msg3115102 date=1242008654]
it's hard to say, as it's been pretty warm here and I've never driven a mazda before, but yeah it does seem to take quite awhile.
[/quote]
Could be a faulty T-stat then, it's relatively easy and cheap to replace yourself (well it was on my vw, dunno about these cars)
it's hard to say, as it's been pretty warm here and I've never driven a mazda before, but yeah it does seem to take quite awhile.
[/quote]
Could be a faulty T-stat then, it's relatively easy and cheap to replace yourself (well it was on my vw, dunno about these cars)
Great, thanks guys. You've all pretty much affirmed my suspicions I'll get everything checked out and update when I do.
One more question, would a faulty t-stat throw a code that could be checked at Autozone or somewhere?
One more question, would a faulty t-stat throw a code that could be checked at Autozone or somewhere?
Yeah, I think it would throw a faulty t-stat/ECT sensor CEL, not sure though
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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