NEW 2014 Mazda 3

[E.T.]

I'm driving the 120PS 2.0 petrol with manual box SE-L Hatchback.  Mine is white BTW.

I've been very impressed, and as long as you stick the revs up to 4K it can shift reasonably well (bear in mind I'm used to a 1200cc motorbike).

consistently 45mpg with a lot of back road country driving - and not really hanging around.  On a long run I've had it at 47mpg (at that's cruising at 80 LSPs*









*LSP = 'lymic swimming pools, which is a standard media measurement for stupid people. The other unit is DDBs (Double Decker Buses - used for every other measurement not covered by LSPs).    Of course, 80 LSPs is exactly equal to the legal speed limit of 70 mph, of course...er... of course.

[gknight9]

I've just started driving the 2014 3 2.2 Skyactive-D. Does anybody know what is included in the 'Auto folding mirror kit' accessory pack - http://www.mazda.co.uk/buying-owning/accessories/mazda3/2013-05/comfort-utility/C850V7650/ - - Is this just a dealer programmable option or is there actual hardware involved?

Also when is the MRCC fitted, should this be standard? it's not listed as included in the 'Safety Pack'

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

I believe it automatically folds the mirrors when the doors lock... rather than turning the switch to fold them.  Not sure I could justify the additional expense over the little benefit it offers.  I would have thought that there would be some hardware involved as if it is just something they can programme then I am sure after spending £23K on the car they would do this for nothing if you wanted it active.

Hope you are enjoying the car; mine is in for its first service Tuesday.

[gknight9]

Thanks dtaylor928, I’m enjoying it but not loving it yet. Setup/Function niggles I’m hoping - I cannot get the TA announcements form the radio yet!

Did/have you activated the 60 trial of ‘connected services’, if so any good?

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

I had a huge amount of problems with the MZD-Connect system when I first bought the car in April... not just with the satnav, but a whole host of features... it was very unstable.  That was with version 29.  I took it back twice to have it updated in the hope of fixing the issues and version 31 was the most stable albeit still with issues.  Yesterday I had it upgraded to 33 which I am assuming you will have and so far so good but time will tell.

I honestly don't think I have tried the Traffic Alerts... I must give it a go and see if it works.

I did activate the 60 day trial of the Connect Services and have actually purchased a three year subcription to them since... I rarely keep a car three years but still much more cost effective after two than buying the one (https://mazda-eu.naviextras.com/shop/portal/newCatalog?view=item&salesPackageCode=100403).

It is OK and you should certainly activate the trial.  Weather is a bit of a novelty, nothing special.  Local Search is quite good but rarely used.  Fuel Prices is alright but depends really on how often you fill up in different places as you tend to know which garages are usually the best on price in areas you are familiar with.  Being a diesel, V31 would never remember the Normal Diesel setting when searching for prices... not sure about V33... will check over the next few days.  I guess the main function is Live Traffic... never quite sure whether to believe reroutes especially significant ones.  When I have been stuck in traffic more out of curiosity I have looked to see what the hold up is and it might say due to car fire for instance but also tell you the delay time.  Nothing really special and all part of the features I guess but figured around £60 for three years was not too bad.

I do like the car and felt very good to drive although was hit by a road sweeper mid November which took it off the road for a month... only had it back a couple of weeks and just does not feel the same.  I feel sure I am going to experience problems soon but time will tell.  I miss the heated front windscreen of the previous Mazda 3 I had and believe it is due to them breaking links with Ford who hold the patent for it.

The accident has stopped me 'loving' the car but hopefully all will be well again in the not too distant future.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
David

[gknight9]

Hi David, {not sure if this is the right place to post this, Admin please relocate if inappropriate}

Thanks for the response – and sory to read the problems with the road sweeper, my last car was high spec’d French, which had plenty of functions and toys as standard. My Thoughts are:

Auto-folding wing mirrors – on the last car these provided visual confirmation that the vehicle had been locked and secured (together with the horn beeps), I would really like this automatic option on the Mazda.  Stops dim-wits walking into the mirrors or the mirrors being kissed (by other drivers) wing-mirror to wing-mirror in a car park, if I forget to fold them in. I have a slight problem where I work, where some of our car park users tend to park by braille! – I’d really like to think this is configurable by the dealers (FOC would be good!), cannot be much to it if the accessory is circa £66.00

I note you are running v33 of the software, same as mine, just seems to feel a bit buggy but I cannot put my finger on why at present.

Niggles/Issues:
Radio
Traffic Announcements – yet to receive any, despite TA set to ‘on’ in Radio settings

Inbuilt Sat Nav
Delivered with out of date maps, I’ve updated these through the toolbox, but feel this should have been checked as part of the pre-delivery inspection.

Speed camera database seems to know the fixed locations but does not seem to include the known mobile locations. (I subscribe to an online camera database, and I’m yet to work out if this can be loaded on the HERE maps/services that Mazda seem to be using)

Traffic (ignoring the connected services for a minute) –is this supposed to pick up the traffic alerts from the radio (free of charge) and re-route same as a Tom-Tom/Garmin type unit?

Not sure what version of the Owner’s Manual you have, mine is 8DS2, I have also download the
PDF version 8DY7, We want to set the auto door locking function (dealer advised that the Mazda does not do that) it is clearly defined in the manual P 3-18/3-19, I have no idea what the manual is talking about but I cannot work out how to set the function, or other functions mentioned in the manual.

I’m disappointed in:
1.   Me –  Brochure and price list (1 October 2014) are not clear in what is and what is not included in the specs and options, hence I assumed that as items were not defined as ‘an option’ they would be included. The safety pack seems to include additional items not defined in the brochure/price list (i.e MRCC and DRSS) – I should have asked more questions but...
2.   Sales team  - As above, lack of knowledge as to what is and what is not included, else I might have stretched the extra £700 for the safety pack!
3.   Documentation. The foot note on almost every page of the Owner’s Manual should read ‘available in other specs, but not yours, despite you having a top of range unit’ and not the printed ‘* Some Models’, appreciate this is a generic manual but...

Other points:
Will look at activating the 60 day trial of connected services over the weekend, There is a reply from Judy #41 on this thread, any idea how much data connected services use (if any)?

Not sure I trust the walk away locking as yet, minimum setting of 30 seconds seems a long time!

Would like to ensure that the Smart City Braking actually works, but don’t want to risk it in case it’s another ‘* Some Models but not yours’ option

Parking sensors – when they say stop they really mean stop, with the French car I still had a good 6 inches or so of space.

Lights – What do the options under Auto Headlight On mean - High, Med. High, Medium, Med.low and Low?

I posted in the Accident category re the cost that the dealers want for a space saver spare, shocking!

Starting to like it a bit more, might be better once it's over 600 miles or so and I feel the urge to let it stretch its legs a little.

[Willpower]

Good to see your appraisal gknight9 very comprehensive. 
Just one small point where I feel you may be a little naive
"Brochure and price list (1 October 2014) are not clear in what is and what is not included in the specs and options, hence I assumed that as items were not defined as ‘an option’ they would be included."

I have invariably found that if an item is an "option", then it means it does not come as standard equipment.    Not the other way round. Even on the top line models, it does not mean that everything is already fitted by default just because it is not designated as an option.. 

It is well known that Mazda regularly change the spec on models with very little notice, even between years. There are cases on this forum where two members have identical cars bought at the same time, but they have different specs.
By not specifying exact specs in the handbook/brochures, they leave their options open to allow for such changes, possibly to cater for supply problems and unforeseen circumstances. This also covers your other point (2)  about the lack of knowledge from the sales team. I'm sure that they are just as frustrated as you, when they get their next supply of new cars and find they are different to what they already have in the showroom.

A sage piece of advice to new buyers is to ask as many questions as you can possibly think of. Theses cars are a massive investment, it pays to be very inquisitive.

[E.T.]

Radio
Traffic Announcements – yet to receive any, despite TA set to ‘on’ in Radio settings

Be greatful because you can't turn them off again afterwards.  My cars been back six times for upgrades and its still not right.  Due for its one year service in Jan, so I'll get the latest update to software then.  I'm not holding my breath TBH.  I've just learnt to live without switching it on in the first place.

The other thing that really bugs me is, if I come home with an MP3 playing, then pause it. When I come back to the car the next day at 5am in the morning, turn the ignition on - I wake up all the neighbours! On comes the music.  Its a PITA.

Inbuilt Sat Nav

£700 for a satnav that costs £25 on my smart phone.  I didn't bother.  Its also the advantage of being able to sit at my desk, dining table before I go and look at the route, rather than fiddling around in a cold car first thing in the morning.  I can see the convenience, but a 5" screen smartphone props up just in front of the gear stick, so easy to see and get to without being in yer face (particularly whilst night driving)

Would like to ensure that the Smart City Braking actually works, but don’t want to risk it in case it’s another ‘* Some Models but not yours’ option

I swung onto my short drive toward our garage door and it decided it would apply the brakes for me. Yet another crap safety system that overides driver judgement. I've managed to drive for the last 35 years without hitting anything...until this car, see below

Parking sensors – when they say stop they really mean stop, with the French car I still had a good 6 inches or so of space.

I've had numerous cars with sensors and in these days of small windows and high flanks I've come to rely on them...too much.

In the first week I reversed, very slowly and just nudged another parked car. beep-----------beep, beep beep beeeeeeeeeep crunch...all in about 6".  Dire.

I thought I was used to it but caught the corner of a brick wall the other day.   Bear in mind I've never hit a thing front or backwards in 35 years (including big sprinter vans and big cars like a Lexus and BMW etc that I've had.  These really are very very poor.  I've had them checked and the dealer told me they work properly.  I've given up even relying on them now.  Utter crap.

Lights – What do the options under Auto Headlight On mean - High, Med. High, Medium, Med.low and Low?

That's the ambient light level before they come on automatically.  I've just left mine on high, as I prefer to have lights on in low sun, wizzing through tunnels etc, as well as pitch blackness.

Starting to like it a bit more, might be better once it's over 600 miles or so and I feel the urge to let it stretch its legs a little.

Those are the only niggles I have.   In terms of actual driving, handling, brakes, seat comfort etc it is an extremely good car - one of the best for the money,  Sure my BMW was quicker, but the ride was quite harsh on that.  But the seats are more comfortable on the Mazda (for me) the driving position is really good for long drives (up to 400 miles a day)

Slick gear box, and if you use the engine (petrol) in its power band, the car is pretty good fun on the back B roads too.

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

Will be interesting to know how you get on with your dealer re the wing mirrors.  I guess it would have been an easy bargaining tool when negotiating the price.

I’m still getting used to 33, whilst it not being very different from 31, some of the bugs have been removed.  I keep forgetting to check some of the features though too.  So far it has remained stable though with no reboots.  Funny when I asked them to upgrade it when I took it in for its service… they did not want to do it and said it was not normal process to do this free of charge unless there is a problems with it... !  They had a list of issues which it had to be for them to do the upgrade… would have loved to have seen the list… it was long.

I did remember to try Traffic Annoucements… it works fine.  I do remember trying it in the past now too… it came up with two announcements within a few minutes which was just annoying to me.  When you set it to On in the radio… TA is then in red.  This is not linked to the sat nav at all or the connected services.  It is just when you listen to FM radio stations that broadcast the alerts which interrupt your current station with the alert from the other... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_announcement_(radio_data_systems).  When an alert comes up you can choose an option to turn this off… this only turns the current alert off… you need to go back to the radio and click the TA again to turn it off.

It is not good that they supplied the car without up to date maps… mine was the same.  Map updates are supposed to be issued every six months but know they are not.  I updated my maps before I took it in for its service but have thought about it again now since the OS update but doubt it will have changed.

Not sure about third party camera POI’s in the satnav.  I find it has been reasonably accurate with the camera locations but think they are just part of the static maps so the mobile ones may not be recorded accurately.

Unsure of the version of the manual I have in the car without checking but I know what you mean… I have a downloaded copy of 8DG1 I took not long after I purchased the car.  It does cover features that are in some models and not others… many of which are not available in Europe.  Before buying the car I looked at the spec but then read reviews in America and Australia… some have reversing cameras, bigger engines than we have, spare wheels as standard, moonroofs (Sun roofs !), radar cruise control etc.  Not impressed how we don’t get some of those here, not even as an option.  If you look a few pages earlier in the manual… in mine it is on page 3-16 you will see there is an extra button on the drivers side… we have one button that can lock all the windows.  On that diagram they have two buttons there… the other allows them to lock all the doors.  I think the steps it talks about to set up the automatic locking all relate to that extra switch that you need to hold down.  I remember reading that too ages ago and then going out to try it… only to find that I didn’t have the switch !

I think the car was pretty much as I expected it to be… I was lucky enough to be part of the launch event at Silverstone driving them round the track before they were even released here.  I had read up on them in detail too and knew the spec that was available here… I feel I got all that was expected but did have a good look and play with them over that day.  I did enquire about the safety pack and was tempted but as it was a factory fitted option did not want to wait the extra time… think it may have been 6+ weeks.

The sales team at my dealer were not very clued up either… I think I knew more about the features than they did !  He was trying to tell me it had certain features that I knew it didn’t… auto dimming of full beam… that is only available as part of the safety pack which I pointed out !

I replied to someone else re the data usage on another thread somewhere a long time ago as someone had said something ridiculous that it used 1MB per minute !  I have driven some long journeys and my extra data usage has been minimal.  When you initially connect it downloads all the incidents it is aware of… typically 3-4 thousand on a week day but then updates them as and when they change.  It is only text it is downloading so nothing huge.  I would have preferred it if the connection was built in though rather than having to start a hot spot on your phone for it to connect to but I have an app that quickly does this so no big deal and as I have said… the data usage is not noticeable.  When you have connected settings then it will advise if there is a hold up ahead and you can set it to automatically reroute too but prefer to look at the suggested route myself.

I do use the walk away locking and have tried it returning without my key… as well as someone else trying it.  Without reading up I didn’t think it was 30 seconds though… well… I know it isn’t… I can just walk out of range and the doors will lock, the beep will sound and the indicators flash letting you know it has locked.  I would assume the mirrors would fold in too with the extra feature.  I am happy with that functionality.

Smart City Break does work on our model but never tried it in my car.  It only works if there is no driver input i.e. you do not have your foot on any of the pedals and travelling less than 20mph.  Therefore the chances of it helping much is limited.  When I did the test drives at Silverstone that was one of the features they were having you try… heading towards a picture of a mazda on paper with your feet off the pedals less than 20mph and the car breaking automatically and stalling.

I don’t use the Hill Start Assist either but have tried it… it works but something I would never want to get used to !

The last segment on the parking sensor (screen) means you still have a foot to go.  I think it says that in the manual and have tested that too.  Just looked in the downloaded one I have and that must be an American one as it has the reversing camera only in that !

The auto headlight is just to change the sensitivity before the lights come on.  I have mine set to medium high which I find is best… sometimes they were not coming on when I would have expected them to come on.

Not impressed with not having the spare wheel either… it comes with a spare in other countries !  I read somewhere that it is not only cost but also to do with weight… by not having the spare they just get under a certain weight that EU regulations measure and then allow us to pay road tax of just £20 a year… with the spare it would cost more because more weight equals higher emissions but it has to be so marginal.

Since my accident I have had the tyre pressure warning light come on a couple of times too… the pressures were fine.  I queried it with the dealer when I had it serviced and they said it is not unusual when the temperature is below freezing as it effects the sensors… not had it come on since but will see how it goes.  I feel I have a slight vibration too since the accident and they just balanced the front wheels which made no difference.  Becoming less impressed with my dealer the more contact I have… You would think they would appreciate a sale of £23K being grateful for the custom !  Be careful with the first service costs too.  My dealer quoted me £180… shopped around and had another for circa £200 and another for £151 including courtesy car.  My dealer then matched the £151 !  Apparently the second service costs over £300 !

I do like the car… being a new model then I guess teething problems are to be expected especially with the technology side.  With the MZD-Connect system being introduced to the other models now including the Mazda MX-5, Mazda 2, 6 and the new Mazda CX-3 then I am sure it will become much more stable soon.  Just not sure if mine will ever be the same again since the accident though.

Let me know how you get on.

Kind regards,
David

[gknight9]

1 month in and I’m experiencing a number of issues with the MZD-Connect system. I’m assured that my vehicle has the latest version of software, hence the dealer has raised a support ticket with Mazda, and I’m waiting for feedback.

Only issue to be ‘resolved’ so far is to do with Traffic Announcements from the radio.

Traffic Announcements (TA) set to ‘on’ in Radio settings seems to mean no Traffic Announcements (i.e TA is off!), TA set to ‘off’
means TA is on and I get traffic announcements!

Does anybody know the name of the software configuration/Diagnostic tools used by Mazda Dealers?

Thanks

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your problems with the MZD-Connect system... you should have seen what it was like previously !  33 has been stable for me but has also presented its own problems which were not there is previous releases... such as being able to tab left through the favourite radio stations but not right ! /

When I tried traffic alerts it really did work fine but did not keep it on as too many too often.  That does sound like a hardware issue to me as surely the same OS version should be consistent.  Hope you get that fixed... if a new version is available you'll have to let me know.

No idea of the diagnostic equipment they use; sorry.

One thing you mentioned on a previous message was the walk away 30 second locking.  It played at the back of my mind as know mine locks as soon as I walk out of range which is about a metre.  I looked through all my settings with being upgraded to v33 and the 30 seconds locking (can not remember what it is called now) refers to unlocking your car and then it self locks again if you do not open a door i.e. if you press the button on the door but do not walk away; or if you press the button on the key fob.

Anyway, will be good to hear how you get on.  Hope you like the car.  Mechanically I think it is good and drives well... just software that is the main problem that you can experience with new model of cars.  With the MZD-Connect being fitted on all the new Mazda's then it can only be good news having many more users.

Kind regards,
David

[yarb]

Have mine set to autolock when walking away after driving or opening a door happens about 5 seconds once the key is out of range of the door or boot, can be a bit of a pain  will lock the car when I fill up and usually the other half is in there so the alarm goes off so I have to remember to leave the door ajar so it don't lock

[Willpower]

Have mine set to autolock when walking away after driving or opening a door happens about 5 seconds once the key is out of range of the door or boot, can be a bit of a pain  will lock the car when I fill up and usually the other half is in there so the alarm goes off so I have to remember to leave the door ajar so it don't lock

Taking a stab in the dark here. Does your key fob not have a button to disable the internal movement sensor ?  My 2004 model has this function and I would be surprised if a car 10 years younger did not have it.

[dtaylor928]

Hi,

Yes... the key fob does have this function... you can get so used to not using the key though that it is hard to break the habbit or even give it a thought when filling up or just nipping into a shop.

I like the feature though... just something to bear in mind when you have someone with you and leaving the car for a moment.

[gknight9]

Hi All,

Door locking has been worked out, however my view on the whole MZD-Connect system so far is it is poor.

TA has to be off to be on.

If there is a traffic announcement when the radio is on then you can cancel it, as long as you do it almost straight away. If not, and you want to cancel the announcement half way through, having heard any reports for the area you might be interested in and want to skip the rest, then there is no easy way to do this unless you go into radio settings and reselect the radio station you were listening too or select a new station.

Cancelling a TA announcement while listening to the radio does not disable them, so if there are more TA’s further in your drive then you get to hear them (all good so far!).

Cancelling a TA announcement while listening to a non-radio source i.e. CD/USB etc. seems to kill TA announcements for the rest of the drive (why?)

There appears to be no easy way to adjust the TA announcement volume separate to the audio volume, you have to adjust TA announcement volume whilst there is a TA is in progress.

Hate the way the sat-nav cuts out the audio on the right hand side of the car when it wants to announce something, I find it distracting and unclear. (never really noticed this in my previous cars while listening to radio/music and using non-intergrated Garmins or TomToms)
 
My tablet screen freezes or the commander ‘knob’ and the buttons stop working until the car is rebooted.

I’m told my car has the new MZD unit (whatever that means) and I’m running the latest software, hence the problem has been reported to Mazda (who I have now chased for an update).

I'm trying to determine if Mazda obtained the TMC license for the installed sat-nav’s (would explain why TMC does not appear to work if they did not obtain the licenses).

The Connected services (tethered wi-fi) are only OK, and I’d like to find a way to load my own POI’s etc. as, for example, the ‘known’ speed camera locations are very out of date, missing or wrong.

Loving the drive experience, but these things are not cheap, so the total owner experience is leaving a lot to be desired at present.