Mazda Car Help
 

Needing some help here car people (in particular people who know Mazda technicians). So I've checked ad nauseum the message boards for the solution to this problem...

When it's colder outside, and my car hasn't been started up in a while, I'll start the car, start driving and once the car shifts from first to second, it does a HORRIBLE lurch. It's like it slams into second. According to the Mazda forums, this is a common problem with the 3 (I have a 2004 3). I asked a mechanic friend and he said that it's because the transmission fluid hasn't warmed up yet and this seems plausible because once the car warms up it doesn't happen. It also only happens between first and second gear.

Any ideas? This just doesn't seem like it can be GOOD for the freaking transmission.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Mabye start your car a few minutes early in the morning to ensure that it's warm...

Transmission problems suck... my '90 escort just bit the dust, and before that my '89 volvo's transmission kicked (after 310,000 miles baby!).

I'm looking to buy a civic now.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

I do that, but the fluid doesn't really get warm unless the car is shifting gears. I called Mazda and they're like, "It's common, there's no fix." I'm about to go up and raise some hell telling them to fix it, because normal cars don't operate like that.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=RobH4413;278738]Mabye start your car a few minutes early in the morning to ensure that it's warm...

Transmission problems suck... my '90 escort just bit the dust, and before that my '89 volvo's transmission kicked (after 310,000 miles baby!).

I'm looking to buy a civic now.[/quote]


new or used civic?

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=canthetuna;278751]new or used civic?[/quote]
used:

One of my good friends has been working on civics his entire life and is looking for a steal. He was saying he could get me a pretty nice one for only 5,000$.

Plus if anything ever went wrong he'd help me learn about how to fix it (said he could get a new engine if it ever needed one for 400$).

I just want to get a reliable car with good gas mileage that will last me untill I graduate, and I'm pretty set on a civic.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;278743]I do that, but the fluid doesn't really get warm unless the car is shifting gears. I called Mazda and they're like, "It's common, there's no fix." I'm about to go up and raise some hell telling them to fix it, because normal cars don't operate like that.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. From my experience, it takes at least 15 minutes for the tranny fluid to warm up -- and that is when you are driving. Without driving, it could probably take over 30 minutes.

You could look into an engine block heater. It heats the engine block -- not the tranny -- but it may help. I don't know for sure.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;278729]Needing some help here car people (in particular people who know Mazda technicians). So I've checked ad nauseum the message boards for the solution to this problem...

When it's colder outside, and my car hasn't been started up in a while, I'll start the car, start driving and once the car shifts from first to second, it does a HORRIBLE lurch. It's like it slams into second. According to the Mazda forums, this is a common problem with the 3 (I have a 2004 3). I asked a mechanic friend and he said that it's because the transmission fluid hasn't warmed up yet and this seems plausible because once the car warms up it doesn't happen. It also only happens between first and second gear.

Any ideas? This just doesn't seem like it can be GOOD for the freaking transmission.[/QUOTE]

Chuck Norris doesn't need transmission fluid. He uses his own fresh urine. It lasts about 200k miles before replacement. And never cools down.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Can I just settle for a single tear from Jack Bauer?

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection;278775]Can I just settle for a single tear from Jack Bauer?[/QUOTE]

That would destroy your transmission.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

The problem is Mazda is Jap. for FORD

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Argh, jokes aside, anyone have any suggestions?

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

yeah, buy american:)

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

I work on cars quit a bit and went to school to learn how to as well. Basically it is tranny slipping when the fluid is cold, IF you never feel it when the car has warmed up that is it. Have you ever shifted a manually tranny when it is really cold? Hard to do. The same applys for the auto tranny. I really would not worry about it. How many miles? Please remeber that we have had exterm cold conditions of late.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=dmek25;278789]yeah, buy american:)[/quote]

Seconded. :)

I have no problems whatsoever with my 2 American cars.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

:doh:

Argh, said just like the trash down my road! I don't buy cars based on if they're American or not. If Iran made a car that looked as bad ass as my Mazda, I'd buy it. I have a Ford Ranger that we use for 4x4 in the snow and hauling stuff as well.

It's not breaking down or anything, just something I don't want to deal with. Besides the Mustangs, the American companies need to get some design cues from Europe and Japan.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;279080]:doh:

[B]Argh, said just like the trash down my road![/B] I don't buy cars based on if they're American or not. If Iran made a car that looked as bad ass as my Mazda, I'd buy it. I have a Ford Ranger that we use for 4x4 in the snow and hauling stuff as well.

It's not breaking down or anything, just something I don't want to deal with. Besides the Mustangs, the American companies need to get some design cues from Europe and Japan.[/quote]

You talkin' 'bout me? Just remember: [B]F[/B]irst [B]O[/B]n [B]R[/B]ace [B]D[/B]ay! hoot-hoot! Man, thats' cool.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Guess which manufacturer makes the most cars in America. It's Toyota. I've never had an American car that drove comfortably, had nice features, and was reliable. In the 5 years I've owned my Acura and the total of 170K miles on it (I put most of them on) I've had one problem: my alternator died ONCE.

Mazda's are good cars that run forever. As far as your problems Malcolm. No clue.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote]You talkin' 'bout me? Just remember: First On Race Day! hoot-hoot! Man, thats' cool.[/quote]
Guess you didn't hear. Toyota is in racing now.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Yeah, but it won't mean anything until Kia jumps in. When I think of running moonshine through the Blue Ridge Mountains, I think of two things: The General Lee or the Kia Sephia. Yee-haw. Oh, and I think about Cooter, too.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

"[SIZE=1]zoom zoom[/SIZE]"

[IMG]http://www.thebigt.com/mazda-zoom-zoom.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;279103]"[SIZE=1]zoom zoom[/SIZE]"

[IMG]http://www.thebigt.com/mazda-zoom-zoom.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]

You S.O.B., I hate that kid for some reason. He's not even old enough to drive, what's he doing selling cars?!?!

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;279106]You S.O.B., I hate that kid for some reason. He's not even old enough to drive, what's he doing selling cars?!?![/quote]

I am not a big fan either, but I was surprised nobody did the "zoom zoom" so I had to. Many forget that I am still the "Parking Lot Pimp".

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;279107]I am not a big fan either, but I was surprised nobody did the "zoom zoom" so I had to. Many forget that I am still the "Parking Lot Pimp".[/QUOTE]
I understand, and actually despite that little bastard I've been thinking about getting a Mazda 6.

As for your problem TMC, I have no idea.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;279112]I understand, and actually despite that little bastard I've been thinking about getting a Mazda 6.

As for your problem TMC, I have no idea.[/quote]

I wonder if there is always a little white kid in a suit at all Mazda dealerships, and right before you sign the final deal he gets real close to your ear and whispers, "Zoom zoom".

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

If I owned a Mazda dealership I would make a kid do that until the government arrested me for violated child labor laws.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[QUOTE=mredskins]The problem is Mazda is Jap. for FORD[/QUOTE]


[QUOTE=dmek25;278789]yeah, buy american:)[/QUOTE]

He wasn't lying. Mazda=FORD. Some FORD models use Mazda trans. The Ford Motor Company owns 33.4% of Mazda. ([url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda)]Mazda) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]. Even though its not 100% I am sure that there are FORD parts on the car. And I am sure that FORD has some influence on Mazda's...

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Mazada is owned by Ford. And to avoid tranny issues do like I do, by a stick!

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

FORD=

Found On Roadside Dead

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=Summo;279120]Mazada is owned by Ford. And to avoid [B]tranny[/B] issues do like I do, by a stick![/quote]

Please tell me you are referring to transmission......

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;278729]Needing some help here car people (in particular people who know Mazda technicians). So I've checked ad nauseum the message boards for the solution to this problem...

When it's colder outside, and my car hasn't been started up in a while, I'll start the car, start driving and once the car shifts from first to second, it does a HORRIBLE lurch. It's like it slams into second. According to the Mazda forums, this is a common problem with the 3 (I have a 2004 3). I asked a mechanic friend and he said that it's because the transmission fluid hasn't warmed up yet and this seems plausible because once the car warms up it doesn't happen. It also only happens between first and second gear.

Any ideas? This just doesn't seem like it can be GOOD for the freaking transmission.[/quote]
I di not read all the post but I'd say the cold trans is the problem. It should not happen but we have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee that does the same thing. It only happens when cold and shifting from first to second gear.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Nice, some REAL INFO (nice job the rest of you white trash ;)). Have you talked to your dealer firstdown? Does he say it's normal?

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=firstdown;279485]I di not read all the post but I'd say the cold trans is the problem. It should not happen but we have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee that does the same thing. It only happens when cold and shifting from first to second gear.[/quote]

BE very careful with a GC tranny, they can go at any time. I have owned 3 of them, 94, 97, and 01. All three the rear main oil seal blow at 75k to 80k and all of them had their trannys replaced at just over 100k. I LOVE those cars but they are built bad. I learned my lesson and bough a 07 4runner this year. I would get yours checked firstdown.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

"Lurching", or Lurking for that matter are bad things in a transmission, even if it is "normal". If the dealership tells me this is normal, find another one. If you have no success on that route, the best case senario is find a transmission guy you can trust and is knowledgable. That is an oxymoron in itself.................but compare what the dealer is saying and what he thinks.
I had some success going to the factory on a dodge pu I owned. I blew the motor out of warranty. On engine rebuild, I came to find out the cam shaft was never properly seated from the factory. The mechanic wrote a letter for me, and the factory paid for half the rebuild. Long shot, but what the hell. Find a reliable tranny ( not that kind of tranny) guy and go from there

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Whatever happens I AM NOT going to pay anything to get this fixed. SOMEONE will fix it and it will not be costing me a dime.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

You the man

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Seriously man, if I have a warranty it's bullshit if I have to pay anything more than gas money to get there.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[URL="http://www.boingboing.net/2007/02/04/howto_open_a_mazda_w.html"]This might be of interest to you Mazda 3 owners[/URL]. I would get that looked at and maybe even try it myself.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;279512]Seriously man, if I have a warranty it's bullshit if I have to pay anything more than gas money to get there.[/quote]


Exactly! Trust me the dealership wants the money. they would be happy to replace the whole tranny if they tought they needed it. Mazda pays them, so why would they hold back fixing if something was wrong with it.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;279512]Seriously man, if I have a warranty it's bullshit if I have to pay anything more than gas money to get there.[/quote]
maybe I did not read all the thread thoroughly enough. If it's under warranty, wear there ass out!.

Re: Mazda Car Help
 

Really, I don't even care. I LOVE the car, the way it looks and the way it drives, but seriously if I end up having to replace a transmission soon after my warranty runs out, I'm going to be livid.

I've read a lot about it on [url=http://www.mazda3forums.com]Mazda3 / Axela Forums & Club - Index[/url] and apparently it's an ECU fix.