New 3 owner, 1 thread few questions (jack points, trim level, and more!)

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Hello! Just picked up an '05 3 hatch. Look forward to getting it on the road. I did have a few quick questions and figured I'd make one thread instead of litter the forums with multiple threads:

1) How can I tell what trim level this car is? It has sunroof, 5spd, CD changer, cloth seats, manual seats, 2.3l motor etc. Does the vin tell me?
2) I see in another thread a discussion of jackpoints on this car, turns out it's a bit of a pain. Thinking about ordering: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?stocknumber=35-70000 can anyone confirm they work on the 3 hatch?
3) Can you change the oil with the car on the ground? I already ordered the special filter wrench after learning about the plastic filter holder
4) Easiest way to add in an aux port into this car?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[WillD]

1. I would check out the trim levels offered in '05 and figure it out that way if I were you. You can also call Mazda NA and give them your VIN and they will tell you what trim level and any additional options your car was delivered to the dealership with.
2. The Flyin' Miata adapter will work. On my wife's 3 I use the front jack point (the cut out on the frame rail) to get the whole side of the car off the ground for tire rotations etc. If I am putting jack under for some reason I jack slightly behind the front jack point. YMMV but it has worked for my on her 3, my Speed, and my Miata.
3. I would say no. It might be possible but it would be a tight squeeze to get under there.
4. Not sure about this one as I'm not too familiar with the '05 radio.

Oh, and welcome to the forum! (2thumbs)

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Thanks Will! I will give Mazda a call on the trim level.

I'm a nissan guy so I'm learning my way around. A follow up on the flyin miata adapter, do you ever use those in between the car and the jackstand or only for the jack to get the car off the ground?

Thanks for the welcome! I'm sure I'll ask a million more questions and the car isn't even on the road yet!

 

[WillD]

It's designed for in between the jack and the car. Not necessary on the jack stands.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Gotcha, I figured I'd use these on jackstands too.

I'll probably just order 2 to make tire rotation easier.

Thanks for your help!

 

[WillD]

I don't think that would be recommended. On my jack stands there would be no safe way to utilize the jack adapter. It's made specifically for the flat saddle of the jack, not the curved surface of a jack stand.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Absolutely understood.

So you use these adapters and then put the jackstands under the scissor jack lift points? I wonder how my jackstands would work. It seems odd that there isn't a better place for stands on this car.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Also, I called Mazda, it's a 3 Sport! (naughty)

 

[bbrich57]

welcome to Mazda24/7 ands the greater Mazda family!!

1) How can I tell what trim level this car is? It has sunroof, 5spd, CD changer, cloth seats, manual seats, 2.3l motor etc. Does the vin tell me?
In 05 the trim levels were easy. You either had a 3i (sedan only,) or an S (2.3L sedan or hatch,) and there was a one year only special trim (forget what it was called now) but not so special. These came as a hatch or sedan, had the 2.3L, 5-sp or 4-sp auto, a "special" carbon gray color, bright silver wheels (same 5-spokes, different finish) and either back or brown leather interior.
In your case the car it seems you have a 5-dr "S" model, std trans, where someone opted for the sunroof and with it came the 6 disk changer. They were inseparable.

2) I see in another thread a discussion of jackpoints on this car, turns out it's a bit of a pain. Thinking about ordering: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?stocknumber=35-70000 can anyone confirm they work on the 3 hatch?
The jacking points are four on the pinch weld of the rocker panel designated by a slight cut-out in the welded seam, but really anywhere along that seam is strong enough to hold the weight of the car on level ground.

3) Can you change the oil with the car on the ground? I already ordered the special filter wrench after learning about the plastic filter holder
Yes, but because the ground clearance and underbody splash shields, its a PITA. A set of drive up ramps works a bit better.
Also, consider switching over to the 2.0L spin-on filter. It's not nearly as dirty a change and much easier in the long run. All that's really required is changing the filter mount bracket and gasket. The plastic housing is junk after a few oil changes. It has an aluminum drain plug at the bottom of it which in my case stripped after the 2nd oil change. Those replacement filter elements make a mess. Spin-on is the way to go. 'Did mine 50k miles ago and never looked back.

4) Easiest way to add in an aux port into this car?

For this I will leave the answers up to the techies. I suck at this stuff and have little/no need for it in my life.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Thanks bbrich! It's so interesting to learn more about these cars. I am very interested in the spin on conversion unit as I was bummed when I found out the setup of the oil filter. I already ordered the right filter wrench to avoid destroying the plastic.

Is there a conversion kit that is the "go to". Obviously oil is really critical. I'm a little wary of changing it up but it seems like (from searching) that people do this conversion often. Here's a couple that I found:

http://parts.arlingtonmazda.com/products/FILTER-CONVERSION-KIT-(PKSPINFILTER).html
http://www.***************/Spin_On_Oil_Filter_Conversion_Kit_Mazda_3_6_p/sum3soofca.htm

Once you get install this conversion unit, do you just use the same filter as a 2.0l? Does that filter the same volume of oil?

 

[bbrich57]

That's the one, and the price is fair too. It's about what I paid for mine 3 yrs ago.
It's an easy if not messy conversion. After disconnecting the oil pressure switch also located on the housing, simply undo the three bolts that hold the adapter to the block and remove. It uses a metal gasket so don't let that throw you, as it did me when I did mine. Transfer the OP switch from the old housing to the new, use the new gasket you will get with the kit, bolt 'er up!! Don't forget to reconnect the OP sender lead, install a new "spin-on" oil filter (primed, please) and you're done.
Yes, same spin-on filter as the 2.0L engines. If worried about filtering quality, may I suggest buying WIX or NAPA Gold filters (made by WIX. Same filter different color.) Fleetfilters.com is a good source. VERY high quality filters and reasonably priced too. And of course a high grade synthetic oil to go with that, which I would and do persoanlly use anyway. You could even go to a 0W-20 weight safely in place of the 5W-20.
Your wrench should also work on a factory spin-on, but am not sure about AM filters. They are each laible to be a little different design.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Gotcha, I will look into that. I wonder why the engineers did not do a spin on style filter for the 2.3l?

I pretty much use Mobil 1 all around (oil and filters) with good results. I have heard good things about WIX filters, though. I was more concerned with filter volume (is the compatible spin on smaller?)

Thanks again!

 

[bbrich57]

Gotcha, I will look into that. I wonder why the engineers did not do a spin on style filter for the 2.3l?

I pretty much use Mobil 1 all around (oil and filters) with good results. I have heard good things about WIX filters, though. I was more concerned with filter volume (is the compatible spin on smaller?)

Thanks again!

1) That's a question we all had/have. Why go with a cartridge on one engine and a spin-on on the other, though there are a lot more 3i's (2.0L) around than HB's.

2) WIX filters are the best and have been for years. There are other comparable filters, but they have a steel relief valve (vs. tin and/or plastic on some,) a HD housing and a ton of filtering paper in the element itself, plus they are very competitively priced... even cheaper than the M1's and K&N's. I paid $14 for a K&N once and will never do that again. Good filter, yes, but the price is just gouging. You'd be hard pressed to blowup a WIX with a street engine.

3) I understand and agree with your concern of capacity. It is one of mine too and has been for many years. My research indicated there is a "slightly" larger filter that will fit and has comparable specs, but the difference is so small that it really makes no difference. It's like a 2oz difference in size, plus the filter will stick down a little lower putting it more in harms way. I stopped worrying about it with this car.

Now 25-30 yrs ago I was able to up my capacity in one car nearly a 1/2qt by using a std Ford filter for a V8!! But that was then. Oil technology, and engine parts machining have come a long, long way during those years. Don't worry about capacity. Worry about using a good quality synth oil and change it and the filter every 10k miles or so. That's what's important. You'll be good to go for a long time.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Hey, some more silly questions, lol

1) Are the keys definitely chipped in this car? I can't quite tell from looking at the keys?
2) How can I tell if the car has TPMS? It's not clear to me?

 

[WillD]

I pretty much exclusively stick to Mazda OE filters. They're just as cheap from Mazda Motorsports.

 

[mazda3_hatchbac]

Thanks Will!

Anyone have an idea on TPMS?

 

[bbrich57]

Changes (edit: Chances) are not that good you have TPMS on an '05, but if you did the dash light would come on with the key and stay on for a few second. If that doesn't work, lower the pressure in one tire below the normal threshold of the TPMS reading... 20-25psi should do it.

Yes, the keys in all these cars are chipped.