1st to 2nd Auto Tranny slippage? Also so issues with this new 2011 car

[cruisn76]

Noticing this after the break in period. From 1st to 2nd shift (no tiptronic) the tranny takes a longer time to shift compared to all the other gears. Longer as in the shift is slow and I lose a lot of time for it to engage from gear to gear (1st to 2nd only). It is even more apparent at higher RPM's where the shift is even slower and slippery. All the other gears are very quick to snap in between shifts.

It this normal for Mazda trannies?

Car is 2011 Mazda 3 GT with 9xxx KM, car has been in break in mode up until 8000km. Not a heavy footed driver just very conservative on the accelerator. It is of late that I started to push the car a bit.

Also, the HVAC/radio console is driving me up the wall. Summer time was fine but now that weather is colder, the console ticks once in a while. Steering wheel buttons and housing ticks when I come out of a parking spot. I know it's a small thing but should I address this to the dealer?

Should I be worried or it's the way of the 2011 Mazda 3 life?

Thanks in advance

[cruisn76]

Problem number 3, the steering from lock to lock has a ping in-between and some times (just sometimes) I feel that ping right beneath the floor mat. Like someone punch the floor when I go lock to lock.

Any of u guys getting symptoms like this on ur 2011 model?

[Thrizzl3]

if you're super worried the dealer is always there to help also. Warranty isn't there for nothing.

[TheMAN]

the slow 1-2 shift is probably fine... it was done this way on the 1st gens to eliminate the shift shock issue when the tranny is cold (the original programming was too fast and you'll get a "buck" as it shifted into 2nd gear while everything was cold)... I wouldn't doubt it is the same case with the 2nd gen

[cruisn76]

if you're super worried the dealer is always there to help also. Warranty isn't there for nothing.

I had a hard time with the dealer on replacing a warped side mirror last time that took three services to get replaced. So I thought I try here first before I go in.


the slow 1-2 shift is probably fine... it was done this way on the 1st gens to eliminate the shift shock issue when the tranny is cold (the original programming was too fast and you'll get a "buck" as it shifted into 2nd gear while everything was cold)... I wouldn't doubt it is the same case with the 2nd gen

ok. Understood. It wasn't like this when I first got the car. The 1st to 2nd shift was very quick and definitely not harsh. Just don't want this to be a sign that the tranny can fail in the future. If it does, I really hope it's within the next three years or 60,000KM

Can u chime in on the steering issue? It's just odd that i would feel a thump under the driver foot mat when going lock to lock

[Booter22]

I had a hard time with the dealer on replacing a warped side mirror last time that took three services to get replaced. So I thought I try here first before I go in.
ok. Understood. It wasn't like this when I first got the car. The 1st to 2nd shift was very quick and definitely not harsh. Just don't want this to be a sign that the tranny can fail in the future. If it does, I really hope it's within the next three years or 60,000KM
Can u chime in on the steering issue? It's just odd that i would feel a thump under the driver foot mat when going lock to lock

if it was a transmission problem it would be covered for 5 years or 100,000, even the basic warranty is 3 years or 80,000km, that being said the computer in the car is more so self learning and adapts to the way you drive as well. if you have just started driving the car after the 8 000 km from your break in period the computer could still be adapting to your driving style and habbits. the car will wear in and items may and can change how they originally operated as well within the normal wear of the vehicle.

regards to the noise you are getting when turning from lock to lock. usually not the best to turn the car from lock to lock as you are putting the most pressure through the lines and there is strain on the system, which would cause the ping noise as it is an electric pump. i dont know 100 % if that is the case of course i dont turn my steering from lock to lock as i have never been in an area to need to turn that much that fast. 75%-90% would generally be my max when turning the wheel.

[cruisn76]

if it was a transmission problem it would be covered for 5 years or 100,000, even the basic warranty is 3 years or 80,000km, that being said the computer in the car is more so self learning and adapts to the way you drive as well. if you have just started driving the car after the 8 000 km from your break in period the computer could still be adapting to your driving style and habbits. the car will wear in and items may and can change how they originally operated as well within the normal wear of the vehicle.

regards to the noise you are getting when turning from lock to lock. usually not the best to turn the car from lock to lock as you are putting the most pressure through the lines and there is strain on the system, which would cause the ping noise as it is an electric pump. i dont know 100 % if that is the case of course i dont turn my steering from lock to lock as i have never been in an area to need to turn that much that fast. 75%-90% would generally be my max when turning the wheel.

Thank you for the reply. My steering issue also occurs when I exit a parking spot sometimes (not often lately) it would thump underneath. I don't even need to go lock to lock for it to happen. Also I won't go and turn it lock to lock at any given point. It was more a generalized description. Going lock to lock is not good and I rarely do that. Just mainly parking spots, u-turns or three point turns. Surprisingly, it does not occur on a left or right turn at a stop light.

[zoomahh]

I had a hard time with the dealer on replacing a warped side mirror last time that took three services to get replaced. So I thought I try here first before I go in.



ok. Understood. It wasn't like this when I first got the car. The 1st to 2nd shift was very quick and definitely not harsh. Just don't want this to be a sign that the tranny can fail in the future. If it does, I really hope it's within the next three years or 60,000KM

Can u chime in on the steering issue? It's just odd that i would feel a thump under the driver foot mat when going lock to lock

*** Hey Cruisn?
Regarding the tranny issue. When I owned my first 07 3, any issues, and there were a few, and what I did was when I brought to the dealer, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT>>>....I made them make a note on the vehicle file EVERY TIME I went in for service. This is VERY important because any similar issues with this problem if it arises in the future, you can reference these points because they started within the timeframe of your vehicle warranty. But make sure that any time you bring back, tell them again and again and again and get the mechanics comments as the followup to your concerns.
This will enable a "paper-trail", if you will, of the problem and if a tranny issue should come up, you can refer to the fact that you told them about it and they did nothing about it, or didn't do enough. . . . . know what I mean?

Case in point; I was having a strut issue with the drivers front. Making a "banging noise" even on the smallest bumps....told them about it...they looked and found nothing. . . I have a great rapport with my service manager and I told him about it and asked if we can have a paper trail started. He said "sure we can" :) end result; it WAS IN FACT A LEFT FRONT STRUT....bottom line; saved myself about $400 in parts n service :bana

Hope this helps

[Booter22]

Problem number 3, the steering from lock to lock has a ping in-between and some times (just sometimes) I feel that ping right beneath the floor mat. Like someone punch the floor when I go lock to lock.

Thank you for the reply. My steering issue also occurs when I exit a parking spot sometimes (not often lately) it would thump underneath. I don't even need to go lock to lock for it to happen. Also I won't go and turn it lock to lock at any given point. It was more a generalized description. Going lock to lock is not good and I rarely do that. Just mainly parking spots, u-turns or three point turns. Surprisingly, it does not occur on a left or right turn at a stop light.

i only mentioned about lock to lock because thats when you said it happens... but yes as Zoomahh has said, it is always best to have it inspected at the dealer to have all information and concerns documented. in regards to your transmission shifting slow and you lose time for it to engage.. apart from what was mentioned prior im not exactly sure how slow you feel slow is, but again take it in and have it looked at it could be normal, or it might not be. i dont have an auto so i am not exactly sure how they feel when they drive compared to manual.

[cruisn76]

*** Hey Cruisn?
Regarding the tranny issue. When I owned my first 07 3, any issues, and there were a few, and what I did was when I brought to the dealer, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT>>>....I made them make a note on the vehicle file EVERY TIME I went in for service. This is VERY important because any similar issues with this problem if it arises in the future, you can reference these points because they started within the timeframe of your vehicle warranty. But make sure that any time you bring back, tell them again and again and again and get the mechanics comments as the followup to your concerns.
This will enable a "paper-trail", if you will, of the problem and if a tranny issue should come up, you can refer to the fact that you told them about it and they did nothing about it, or didn't do enough. . . . . know what I mean?

Case in point; I was having a strut issue with the drivers front. Making a "banging noise" even on the smallest bumps....told them about it...they looked and found nothing. . . I have a great rapport with my service manager and I told him about it and asked if we can have a paper trail started. He said "sure we can" :) end result; it WAS IN FACT A LEFT FRONT STRUT....bottom line; saved myself about $400 in parts n service :bana

Hope this helps


i only mentioned about lock to lock because thats when you said it happens... but yes as Zoomahh has said, it is always best to have it inspected at the dealer to have all information and concerns documented. in regards to your transmission shifting slow and you lose time for it to engage.. apart from what was mentioned prior im not exactly sure how slow you feel slow is, but again take it in and have it looked at it could be normal, or it might not be. i dont have an auto so i am not exactly sure how they feel when they drive compared to manual.

You guys make a good point. I am due for an oil change in the coming weeks so I will definitely ask them to check it out and note everything.