Questions on 2005 Mazda 3 (recently bought)

[hamster]

Hi Mazda 3 owners,

I need all your help in understanding my 2005 madza3 handling( 136Kms)please.


1) I feel the car is light and doesn't have that road hugging feel when I am driving it. Is this normal? (Note that my tire needs to be replaced as the threads are thin already--could this be a cause of the lightness?

2)When the engine is in idle, I hear a 'humming' sound quite similar to a radiator fan constantly on. Its a faint hum thats there as long as the engine is idling. Is the radiator fan always on in this car?

3) Any information as to when shocks, ball joints, control arm bushings and stab. links should be replaced. The suspension is still ok but want to know what I need to change to have the same tight car steering feel (or even close to it) evident on 80T to 90T kms mazda 3s.

Sorry for asking too many questions. This is the first time I owned a MAzda car.

Thanks in advance.

[Flagrum_3]

Welcome to the board!

1. The 3 has an inherent light feel to her from the get go, but it may just be your tires are worn as you say or maybe your tire pressure may be set too high! Check your pressures are set at 32psi.

2. The humming may be normal and coming from the power steering unit, as it is electrically operated, but also check (assuming you have A/C) that your mode dial is set properly as to not activate the AC compressor.

3. Has for the suspension all those parts should last much longer mileage then you've got on your vehicle, you could have everything checked by a tech to be sure all is tight and safe....You may consider purchasing a sway bar kit in the future for tighter cornering. :)

Hope that helps.


_3

[hamster]

Thank you for the information. It was indeed very helpful. I'll follow your advice and I'll have the service guy inspect the suspension parts.

Regards,

hamster

[victor_t]

Welcome to the board!

1. The 3 has an inherent light feel to her from the get go, but it may just be your tires are worn as you say or maybe your tire pressure may be set too high! Check your pressures are set at 32psi.


on my car it says 34PSI
if you underinflate the tires they will wear unevenly.

[Donutz]

^^ They must have changed it (either for year or models); mine says 32 psi (2005 hb).

[hamster]

on my car it says 34PSI
if you underinflate the tires they will wear unevenly.

Thanks for the info on tire psi.

hamster

[victor_t]

Thanks for the info on tire psi.

hamster

your car's PSI is found on a sticker on the inside of the driver's door (on the pillar side)
stick to that PSI as it's obviously not the same among different mazda 3's.
mine's a 2007 sedan.

[gta_driver]

on my car it says 34PSI
if you underinflate the tires they will wear unevenly.

Also depends on your tires and rims, if you have 15", 16" or 17".

Overinflating will wear out the center portion, underinflating will wear out the edges.