Car is 5 days old.....and there are issues.

[Fish]

Hey Guys,
Hopefully someone can help me shed some light on some problems I've been having. I've never driven a brand new Mazda 3 before, so I don't know if these things are normal or if they are actual problems.

1) A/C Unit. The unit seems to kick in every 20-30 seconds. When it does kick in, the car 'surges'. It's at the point where I can feel the car fighting me if I happen to be braking when it kicks in. I don't notice it at all while driving on the highway, but it's noticeable while driving around the suburbs.

If I have the car in Park and the A/C running, I can see the RPMS fluctuating from around 750, down to maybe 300, then back to 1000, then down to 750. It's not steady.


2) Bumpy ride. While driving on the 400...or 407...or Highway 7, I can feel a vibration in the car and the ride is bumpier than I'd expect it to be for a brand new car. My 8 year old car gave a smoother ride. I can't accurately describe it but the closest analogy I can think of is the speed strips on some roads. It feels like I'm going over speed strips all the time.


3) Lack of Power. Acceleration is somewhat difficult when I'm below 80. It's sluggish. However, after 80, it picks up and is able to move. I'm guessing this may just be the engine working itself in...but it'd be nice to have some confirmation.

4) Car pulls to right. Ok. Maybe 'pull' is a strong word, but it does drift to the right. Alignment issue...correct?

Car is a '07 Mazda 3 Sport GT. I'm going to get it back into the dealership sometime in the next 4 days (depends on when they can take me), but if anyone has any knowledge they can bestow in the meantime, I'd appreciate it :)

[Broli]

hmm, i found the car to be very smooth before i touched the suspension

ur on the right track take it in and have them check it over!

[KOKKINO]

My car was amazing when i got it......
I would let them look at it

sorry to hear!

[kid_icarus]

I'm guessing it's an automatic car right?
RPMS are always a worry when they fluctuate too much.
Sometimes i think it can be a battery problem because if the battery/alternator isin't handling your electrical devices accurately, it'll take a toll on your RPM's.

That's just a really BASIC issue i've seen in the past.

What did you drive before?
There'll definitely be a big difference in ride depending on what you drove before.

Nonetheless your concerns are legit, bring it back. Have them check the battery, make sure you didn't get a lemon, or someone elses joyride car.

How many km's did the car have when you bought it?

Make the dealer explain everything to you.
If they say that's normal, ask them to get into another Mazda 3 GT and see if the RPMS happen. Don't let them tell you anything is normal and to just accept it without reasoning.

Hopefully the issue doesn't resolve itself when you show up at the dealership and then come back again once you drive away.

[Cardinal Fang]

Manual or Automatic Fish?

[PlatMS6]

Ummmmmmm you bought a car without a thorough testdrive? ><

[Fuman]

1 - check your tire pressure, it should be 32 psi on each corner
2 - your a/c unit, take it back to the dealer right away
3 - car pulls to the right - make sure dealer does an alignment.
where did u get your car? where are you located?

[Fish]

I'm guessing it's an automatic car right?
RPMS are always a worry when they fluctuate too much.
Sometimes i think it can be a battery problem because if the battery/alternator isin't handling your electrical devices accurately, it'll take a toll on your RPM's.

That's just a really BASIC issue i've seen in the past.

What did you drive before?
There'll definitely be a big difference in ride depending on what you drove before.

Nonetheless your concerns are legit, bring it back. Have them check the battery, make sure you didn't get a lemon, or someone elses joyride car.

How many km's did the car have when you bought it?

Make the dealer explain everything to you.
If they say that's normal, ask them to get into another Mazda 3 GT and see if the RPMS happen. Don't let them tell you anything is normal and to just accept it without reasoning.

Hopefully the issue doesn't resolve itself when you show up at the dealership and then come back again once you drive away.

Yes, it's an automatic. Sorry, should have mentioned that :)
There were 12kms on the car when I took it and no, I was really stupid and didn't do a full test drive with the car. Looking back on that, it was really dumb. I'm way too trusting sometimes.

I used to drive a 99 Accord with bad tires. However, for the week before I picked up my new 3, I was driving a friend's 2004 Mazda 3 and it performed beautifully. That gave me a good indication of what I should feel in the new car...but I'm not feeling it.

I'm hopeful that once I get the car into the service dept, they'll be able to diagnose a problem and fix it. Just to be clear, I have not had them take a look at it yet but I will as soon as they have some time to look at it (within the next 3-4 days). Just wanted to get some opinions on the problem before I took it in.

Thanks for the replies so far. It helps to know that I'm not being overly paranoid. :)

[Fish]

1 - check your tire pressure, it should be 32 psi on each corner
2 - your a/c unit, take it back to the dealer right away
3 - car pulls to the right - make sure dealer does an alignment.
where did u get your car? where are you located?

Checking the tires...good idea. Didn't think of that.

I'm in the Toronto area and I got my car from The_Biz at MoT. Fantastic guy and a reputable dealership so I'm not too worried about getting the service I need. Just need to get in there :p

[kid_icarus]

Checking the tires...good idea. Didn't think of that.

I'm in the Toronto area and I got my car from The_Biz at MoT. Fantastic guy and a reputable dealership so I'm not too worried about getting the service I need. Just need to get in there :p

In this case, you'll definitely be fine if you bought from Biz

You drove your friends car for a while before which is easily enough test driving, so yeah you definitely should have a good idea.

Let us know what you find out! =)

[Wild Weasel]

Ummmmmmm you bought a car without a thorough testdrive? ><

Pfft. I bought mine without ever having even seen one in person. :chuckle

These definitely sound like issues with that car though. Some sort of engine management issue, perhaps a bad sensor somewhere, could cause both the A/C and the idling issues. A tire out of balance could cause the vibration.

As for the drifting to the right... do you notice it at all times or have you been noticing it in the same roads all the time?

What was your last car? Just wondering what you're comparing this one to.

Might be a good idea to come to a meet and have a couple of the members go for a ride. They'll know what the car is supposed to feel like and will know if yours is out of the ordinary.

[Cardinal Fang]

Hey Guys,

1) A/C Unit. The unit seems to kick in every 20-30 seconds. When it does kick in, the car 'surges'. It's at the point where I can feel the car fighting me if I happen to be braking when it kicks in. I don't notice it at all while driving on the highway, but it's noticeable while driving around the suburbs.

When the compressor kicks in it robs the engine of power so it's complete normal for the revs to drop and then pick up slightly when it comes on and off. I experienced this in another 4 cylinder engine. However, I don't think I could have quantified to the extent you did with your car. The drop in the revs as you noted (from 750 to 300 to 1000) is pretty drastic. I just tried my car out in the parking lot and the revs dropped but it was really a slight nudge of the needle.



2) Bumpy ride. While driving on the 400...or 407...or Highway 7, I can feel a vibration in the car and the ride is bumpier than I'd expect it to be for a brand new car. My 8 year old car gave a smoother ride. I can't accurately describe it but the closest analogy I can think of is the speed strips on some roads. It feels like I'm going over speed strips all the time.

The majority of the 407 is made of ribbed concrete rather than asphalt. The ride there will naturally be rougher. Our cars have 17" rims with a much more stiffer suspension than other cars of the same spec. A slightly rougher ride is normal. Coming off my Integra felt like a Caddie compared to my 3. Then again I had 14" rims with so much rubber they looked like pillows. I expected a rougher ride but that's how I preferred it. This may be a case of you not expecting it. Ami's car was worked in.



3) Lack of Power. Acceleration is somewhat difficult when I'm below 80. It's sluggish. However, after 80, it picks up and is able to move. I'm guessing this may just be the engine working itself in...but it'd be nice to have some confirmation.

Welcome to the world of Automatic Transmissions. I think it may have to do with the torque converter.



4) Car pulls to right. Ok. Maybe 'pull' is a strong word, but it does drift to the right. Alignment issue...correct?

Not normal. Have them look at it.

Many if not all of your points may be valid Fish. If you want you and I can meet up and you can take my car for a spin and we can compare.

[kid_icarus]

I used to drive a 99 Accord with bad tires. However, for the week before I picked up my new 3, I was driving a friend's 2004 Mazda 3 and it performed beautifully. That gave me a good indication of what I should feel in the new car...but I'm not feeling it.






What was your last car? Just wondering what you're comparing this one to.



I'm on lunch so yes, i have lots of time to be doing these things lol.

[Fuman]

Get the checks done!
We want to see you enjoying your car!

either way be safe, especially today (the rain)

[Fish]

Many if not all of your points may be valid Fish. If you want you and I can meet up and you can take my car for a spin and we can compare.

Thanks for the offer Fang, but looking at my schedule I'm pushing to get the car into MoT tomorrow. My birthday is actually tomorrow, but that means that the weekend will be busy and then I need to work again on Monday. So taking tomorrow off looks like the best solution.

Having driven Ami's car, I'm thinking it should feel similar...if not the same. I'm willing to say that the bumpiness may be the tire difference or maybe things getting worked in. But Ami's car is an automatic as well and it definitely feels 'peppier' than mine.


I'm hoping I get in there tomorrow and the techs will say something like "Oh look! You had a nest of badgers in your engine and they were blocking the watchamacalitdoohickey! Your car runs like a dream now!"

:chuckle

[Cardinal Fang]

*Stares at Fish*

Acura stoped using the watchmacalitdoohickey years ago. No wonder the RSX Club makes fun of us.

[WLS ZMZM]

a nest of badgers.... yikes.. that would be one hell of a mess to clean out... like everyone has been saying if it was bought through the biz... Jeff will take complete care of you!! I agree with Fang about the 407... not really the smoothest highway around and the low pro tires an tighter suspension due make a huge difference... also don't forget more then likely your accord had 15" rims with some nice thick tires....unless the wheels had been changed for aftermarket ones... plus the accord is more of a "touring" class vehicle and the mazda 3 is more sporty.... hopefully you get the car in and checked out and all turns out okay... keep us updated... until then zoom zoom....

*looks at Fang* as for the Rsx forums *flips the bird* who cares... we all can't pretend to be race car drivers... :chuckle

[MattC]

doesnt mazda have some Lemon protection? like if your car has issues off the bat, and they cant fix it in 3 tries, they give you a brand new car?

jeff? I recall you telling me something about this.

[Fish]

doesnt mazda have some Lemon protection? like if your car has issues off the bat, and they cant fix it in 3 tries, they give you a brand new car?

jeff? I recall you telling me something about this.

Are you confusing it with FutureShop's 'lemon' policy from their 'extended warranty'? They claim they'll give you a new product if you have to send it in for repair 3 times.

Have yet to see anyone successfully claim that warranty though.



Either way, I'm almost 100% positive the issue is minor. Thinking positive thoughts. Happy waves of joy to the Mazda. :chuckle

[Cardinal Fang]

Happy Birthday Fish.

[Fuman]

Are you confusing it with FutureShop's 'lemon' policy from their 'extended warranty'? They claim they'll give you a new product if you have to send it in for repair 3 times.

Have yet to see anyone successfully claim that warranty though.



Either way, I'm almost 100% positive the issue is minor. Thinking positive thoughts. Happy waves of joy to the Mazda. :chuckle
futureshop's no lemon policy, back in the day (2003 ish), it was if any part needed repair or replacement 3 times then you get a replacement.
So if your ram/cpu/hdd goes, its not a lemon (to them). I had my motherboard replace twice, and ram once. didn't get shit.

[raggs]

Happy Birthday, Fish & welcome. Hope you get your problems resolved quickly & smoothly.

[Fish]

Happy Birthday Fish.

Muchas gracias.

[Fish]

Minor Update (more to document it for Jeff than anything else):

I stopped off at Crappy Tire to get a tire gauge on my way home
Front left 38
Front right 36
Rear left 37
Rear right 34

They're all now 32 and the ride IS smoother. Not perfect but definitely smoother.

Other thing I did was to try to troubleshoot the whole A/C / RPM issue. I turned off the A/C after Crappy Tire and here is what I found.
1) Accelerating: Car will go up to 3rd gear/ 45 kph sluggishly and then suddenly take off as if it FINALLY got to drink some gas. (gas tank is at 1/3 tank. Will fill up later to see if that solves anything)

2) Decelerating: Removing my foot from the gas at 5th gear/ 80 kph will let the car start to decelerate. Somewhere between 80 and 60 and between 5th and 3rd I'll feel the car literally PULL back for a fraction of a second as if a giant cowboy had lassoed it and started pulling it back. Then it will decelerate normally.

3) There is a slight shudder in the car when it is not in motion but in gear (like when I'm stopped at a light). It's like the car is shivering. May be normal, but who knows?

All problems can be reproduced with some magnitude of consistency. If the A/C is on, the issue is just magnified.

[Malcolm991]

Your car must have been built the day after the xmas party. Take it back and make them go over everything.

[FLIPDADY]

Fish PM me your info and I'll check out your vehicle history.

[ds2chan]

it might be normal about that sudden jerk from 80 to 60 as Selina seems to be having the same issue..

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19349

[PlatMS6]

Minor Update (more to document it for Jeff than anything else):

Other thing I did was to try to troubleshoot the whole A/C / RPM issue. I turned off the A/C after Crappy Tire and here is what I found.
1) Accelerating: Car will go up to 3rd gear/ 45 kph sluggishly and then suddenly take off as if it FINALLY got to drink some gas. (gas tank is at 1/3 tank. Will fill up later to see if that solves anything)

2) Decelerating: Removing my foot from the gas at 5th gear/ 80 kph will let the car start to decelerate. Somewhere between 80 and 60 and between 5th and 3rd I'll feel the car literally PULL back for a fraction of a second as if a giant cowboy had lassoed it and started pulling it back. Then it will decelerate normally.

3) There is a slight shudder in the car when it is not in motion but in gear (like when I'm stopped at a light). It's like the car is shivering. May be normal, but who knows?

Ders ure problem ~ I bet its the AUTO tranny to blame for everything listed above..... the Mz6 4cyl in auto does all of this crap as well (had it as a loaner), your mistake is going AUTO with a 4cyl car

[S.F.W.]

Ders ure problem ~ I bet its the AUTO tranny to blame for everything listed above..... the Mz6 4cyl in auto does all of this crap as well (had it as a loaner), your mistake is going AUTO with a 4cyl car
I disagree. I have a 4 cylinder automatic, and don't have those issues. The car he is comparing too is mine, so the transmission and ac should perform similarly.

[Seliina]

it might be normal about that sudden jerk from 80 to 60 as Selina seems to be having the same issue..

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19349

That's what I was thinking...but mine does it at about 50/55, and it IS USUALLY when it's downshifting (unlike I said in my thread).

[Fish]

That's what I was thinking...but mine does it at about 50/55, and it IS USUALLY when it's downshifting (unlike I said in my thread).

I looked at it just now again and it does it between 60 and 55, about 1 second after the gear display changes from a 5 to 4. It probably is the downshift.....but man that's not right at all. My first car, a 1987 Cavalier shifted more smoothly. Then again, it only had 4 gears.

Oh and the hits keep coming. I parked my car at the gym, pulled up the brake and heard CRACK!! TWANNNGGGGG!!! But the brake still works.....

[PlatMS6]

I disagree. I have a 4 cylinder automatic, and don't have those issues. The car he is comparing too is mine, so the transmission and ac should perform similarly.

You don't have the same tranny.