EPA problem with my new Mazda3??

[easygoer66]

I just pruchased a 2006 Mazda3 iT. I drive mostly in NY city. I have not been able to get more than 15.5MPG. I reported it to the dealer and they insist that I drive the car for more than 1000 miles, it is not a problem, it's a new car, etc. I currently only have 600miles, and has since filled up more than 4 times.

Just a note, this car shifts at 7, 17, 27 for the 2, 3 & 4 gears. is this ok?

Any advise?

 

[RHAGEL]

Sounds like its a computer problem. Try disconnecting you battery for about 15 min. This will re-set the computer and might possibly work. I doubt it, but its worth a try. I would definately take it to the dealer to have it looked at.

 

[easygoer66]

Sounds like its a computer problem. Try disconnecting you battery for about 15 min. This will re-set the computer and might possibly work. I doubt it, but its worth a try. I would definately take it to the dealer to have it looked at.

Problem is, the dealer's service department refuses to look at the car until I clock 1000 miles on it. I do appreciate the advise though. I did call Mazda directly and they told me to go to any other Mazda dealer and get a second opinion. Other than that, disconnecting the battery sounds like a good idea. I use to do that with my previous car, a 97 Protege.

 

[boostisgood]

Sounds like its a computer problem. Try disconnecting you battery for about 15 min. This will re-set the computer and might possibly work. I doubt it, but its worth a try. I would definately take it to the dealer to have it looked at.

DO NOT DO THIS. All of what the PCM has learned about your dirving will be lost and the car will run like poo still.

You more then likely have not completed a "drive cycle" (this is completey dependant on what the MFR sets in the PCM so read your manual about it cause I dont know what it is for the M3" so it is running in a default mode until the cycle is completed. It may also want to see 1k miles before it starts to improve milage. The RX-7's did this as so the engine would "set in" kinda like a break in.

Most dealerships wont look at it until you clock that milage (unless a severe issue) The car is just not broken in for them to need to look at it.

Get out on the highway and go for a nice sunday drive for about 75-100 miles and you should see your milage incerase.

 

[easygoer66]

Thanks for the advise. I did check the manual and there is nothing about default settings, or anything about shifting at 7, 17 & 27. They however recommend 15, 25 & 40. They breaking in period of this car, according to the manual, is 600 miles.
Just disappointed in driving a 2006 model 4 cylinder car thats giving me 15 MPG. Feel as if I might as well have bought the RX8, probably would have given me better mileage.

 

[boostisgood]

I dont know the programming for the M3, but trust me, your milage will increase. Also you did say you are driving mostly city miles, this brings your milage down.

 

[easygoer66]

Thanks again. I do love this car. I will be patient and will let you know about any improvements, if any.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

I had similar gas mileage, 20mpg mostly on freeway for the first few weeks, I was kinda getting upset...now its consistantly 26ish with mixed driving, mostly spirited too =)

 

[easygoer66]

After how many miles did it take for you to see that change to better mileage? I am so frustrated now that I am thinking of trading it in for a Toyota Corolla if I don't see a change pretty soon.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

about 1500.......

as far as trading it in, I wouldnt, hell just today my buddy had to fill up in the morning on the way to the mountains, then right when we got home, about 170 miles worth of driving. (05 civic auto 4cyl with 8k gets ~200 miles TO THE TANK.) The rental I had (focus zx4) got about the same as my buddies civic....... I say give it alittle more time, and if it doesnt get any better after a few thousand miles then talk to the dealership again. I think someone on here had nothing but problems with his 3, and recently sold it. One of his complaints was that the mileage never got above 20...

 

[RHAGEL]

Just give it some time. After 1k miles make an appointment asap with your dealer. As far as trading it in...it's not even an option. You would lose 3k or so right off the bat. That is a hell of a lot worse than getting 15 mpg.

 

[easygoer66]

about 1500.......

as far as trading it in, I wouldnt, hell just today my buddy had to fill up in the morning on the way to the mountains, then right when we got home, about 170 miles worth of driving. (05 civic auto 4cyl with 8k gets ~200 miles TO THE TANK.) The rental I had (focus zx4) got about the same as my buddies civic....... I say give it alittle more time, and if it doesnt get any better after a few thousand miles then talk to the dealership again. I think someone on here had nothing but problems with his 3, and recently sold it. One of his complaints was that the mileage never got above 20...

Thanks. I will be patient, at least until the 1000 miles, then take it over to the dealer for an inspection. One other thing about this car, it's shifting at 7, 17 & 27, for the 2, 3 & 4 gears. is this normal?

 

[easygoer66]

Thanks. I will be patient, at least until the 1000 miles, then take it over to the dealer for an inspection. One other thing about this car, it's shifting at 7, 17 & 27, for the 2, 3 & 4 gears. is this normal

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Thanks. I will be patient, at least until the 1000 miles, then take it over to the dealer for an inspection. One other thing about this car, it's shifting at 7, 17 & 27, for the 2, 3 & 4 gears. is this normal

Yes be patient. Both my 3 and 5 got horrible gas mileage the first 1000 or so miles (They are 5 speeds though). I remember my 3 got about 13mpg once when it was new. Now it consistently gets 25 to 28 MPG in mixed driving.

22,000 miles later and I love my 3 more and more each day. DOn't give up on it. It's the best car for the money. Better than the boring corolla and civic

 

[RHAGEL]

Thanks. I will be patient, at least until the 1000 miles, then take it over to the dealer for an inspection. One other thing about this car, it's shifting at 7, 17 & 27, for the 2, 3 & 4 gears. is this normal

It doesn't sound normal but since it is computerized part of it depends on throttle position. If you are barely pressing the gas, it will shift a lot sooner that if you are at full throttle. Like I said before, It may just be a problem with the computer. The dealer can re-flash your CPU and it could solve all your problems.

 

[easygoer66]

It doesn't sound normal but since it is computerized part of it depends on throttle position. If you are barely pressing the gas, it will shift a lot sooner that if you are at full throttle. Like I said before, It may just be a problem with the computer. The dealer can re-flash your CPU and it could solve all your problems.

I finally took the car for the 1000 mile inspection, car actually had about 1100 miles. I am still getting only about 14-15 mpg. The mazda service manager promptly told me that the car is still not broken in and I have to wait until about 7500 miles before I see any difference.
This is absurd, sinec if I was told this sort of thing by the salesman before I purchased the car, I never would have even considered it. I am not even sure where to go after this revelation. is this guy correct?

 

[Murray]

I'd call complete :bs: there. Find another dealer and contact Mazda directly again. There's no excuse for that kind of mileage on that car and you DEFINITELY should not have to wait until 7500 miles before you start getting the advertised mileage ... of course waiting that long would make it tougher to get any sort of compensation from the dealer about it, though.

Seriously, the dealership is yanking your chain here.

 

[dread]

I agree

 

[TheMAN]

3000 miles has ALWAYS been standard break in.... 1000 miles is NOTHING

if you think that's absurd, go buy a used car