New to EVERYTHING!

[SurfSpit]

Hey guys, I've had an 07 mazda3 sedan for about 4 months now. Of course I jumped online to check out what i can do to the car to make it more personal. I'm new to the whole modding thing. I'm not going to lie, I'm more into old american muscle (nothing like cranking out 500+ hp in a 1970 camaro). anyway, how much can i do to my mazda without voiding the warranty. i basically want to put 17" or 18" black rims. so far i've been told to drop it a little. i have a black car. anybody with any suggestions? i'd appreciate it. thanks

 

[jphilly]

I don't know much about modding either but I understand now that your warrenty is pretty much worthless. basically any mod you do and there is a problem with your car, remove the mod for dealership work otherwise they might blame it on the mod. I've read some wild stuff about voiding warrenty for off the wall things. I might be wrong but it is a safe bet that switching wheels and suspension will void that section of warrenty.

 

[Ryz]

I don't know much about modding either but I understand now that your warrenty is pretty much worthless. basically any mod you do and there is a problem with your car, remove the mod for dealership work otherwise they might blame it on the mod. I've read some wild stuff about voiding warrenty for off the wall things. I might be wrong but it is a safe bet that switching wheels and suspension will void that section of warrenty.

Believe this guy and crawl under a rug. The truth is that they have to prove the mod caused the problem to mess with your warranty.

 

[clos561]

if you put rims on it you wont have a problem....if you put on suspension to lower it...it wont void your engine / tranny warranty . like the previous post. they have to prove that the mod was the cause of the problem to void your warranty...mazda sells springs that lower the car so if you want to buy them from mazda you definitely wont have a problem

 

[Kosh]

if you put rims on it you wont have a problem....if you put on suspension to lower it...it wont void your engine / tranny warranty . like the previous post. they have to prove that the mod was the cause of the problem to void your warranty...mazda sells springs that lower the car so if you want to buy them from mazda you definitely wont have a problem

I think mazdaspeed suspension falls under orange warranty.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/dis...arameter=mazdaSpeedAccessoriesWarranty&bhcp=1

Blue Warranty
MAZDASPEED "Blue" Performance Accessories must be installed by a MAZDASPEED Dealer on a US specification vehicle and be specifically approved by Mazda for the particular application. These parts are covered under the Mazda Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty and are warranted for the first 12 months/12,000 miles from the date of installation or the duration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, whichever is longer. Should the parts be purchased but not installed by a MAZDASPEED Dealer, they will be covered for the first 12-months/12,000 miles from the date of purchase, excluding labor charges. Parts or accessories replaced/installed under warranty, are covered for the time remaining in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Green Warranty
MAZDASPEED "Green" Performance Accessories must be specifically approved by Mazda for their particular application. These parts are warranted for the first 12-months/12,000 miles from the date of purchase, excluding labor.

Orange Warranty
MAZDASPEED "Orange" Performance Accessories are sold "as is" without any warranty of any kind. All implied warranties, including all warranties of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose, are excluded. Purchaser acknowledges that no representations have been made regarding these parts, including but not limited to any representations as to their quality of performance, and purchaser shall be responsible for and bear all costs of repair of replacement due to any defect in or failure of these parts or any damage to other components. Purchaser acknowledges that vehicles equipped with MAZDASPEED "Orange" Performance Accessories shall not be operated on public highways. MAZDASPEED "Orange" Performance Accessories are intended solely for the use on vehicles participating in race/off-road competition events. Purchaser acknowledges that all Mazda vehicle/parts/accessory warranties are voided if the vehicle is used in a competitive event. Purchaser also acknowledges that there will be no warranty coverage for any part or accessory that fails as a result of the installation of a MAZDASPEED "Orange" performance part. Purchaser accepts all responsibility for all vehicle modifications and all potential risks. MAZDASPEED "Orange" Performance Accessories have been designed and are intended for race/offroad applications only. Federal and many state laws prohibit the removal, modification of, or rendering inoperative any part or vehicle system affecting emissions or safety.

What Is Not Covered
Damage or corrosion due to accidents, misuse, or alterations.
Damage or surface corrosion from the environment such as acid rain, airborne fallout (chemicals, tree sap), stones, salt road hazards, hail, wind storm, lightning, floods and other natural disaster.
Normal wear, tear or deterioration such as discoloration, fading, deformation, blurring, etc.
Replacement parts or accessories installed on any Mazda Vehicle registered or normally operated outside of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan or American Samoa.
Replacement parts, or accessories installed on a Mazda Vehicle in which the odometer has been altered, or on which the actual mileage cannot be readily determined.
Replacement parts or accessories used in applications for which they are not designed.
Replacement parts or accessories installed improperly by dealers, Importer/Distributor other than Mazda.
Any replacement part or accessory without proof of purchase or replacement date.
Non-Mazda replacement parts or accessories which Mazda Dealers may sell or install on your Mazda Vehicle.
If the vehicle has been classified a total loss and/or sold for salvage purposes or branded for any other reasons.
Removal of the vehicle from the warranty covered market for which it was produced.

 

[SurfSpit]

i havent done anything to the car yet. but the fact that the warranty can be voided so easily kind of scares me. to be honest is it really worth it in the end if im going to have the car for close to ten years?

 

[Kosh]

i havent done anything to the car yet. but the fact that the warranty can be voided so easily kind of scares me. to be honest is it really worth it in the end if im going to have the car for close to ten years?

Easily how? When you mod make sure you use quality parts. Some times it is worth it to spend the extra $$ to know you are getting something that was machined properly and won't give you problems down the road. Also make sure you aren't getting in over your head if you are attempting an install on your own. I haven't seen a single thread on here saying "I voided my warrenty by installing *** part on my car" (other than the guy that put in a dump pipe and melted some wiring). Remember something has to go wrong with your car before there is a chance of warrenty being voided.

Be smart, do your research, know what you are getting into, and if you break it own up to it. Happy modding!

 

[SurfSpit]

thank you guys. kosh, that info about the warranty was pretty good. im really just looking to drop it a few and add nice looking wheels. nothing really more. i'm a scaredycat. wondering if adding the pioneer avic-d3 will take away from any of the original uses of the car, such as the steering wheel controles and the display for the outside temperature and also heating/ac.

 

[khaydin]

I have an AVIC-D3 in my 07 MS3 and it works great. You lose the time readout and the mileage computer, but the climate controls still show up. You will lose your stearing wheel controls but you can gain them back by buying an addon module called the PAC SWI-PS. The AVIC-D3 will also make your stock speakers sound better after you play with the equalizer and staging options for a bit. The bose system the MS3 GT came with sounds so much better now.

 

[SurfSpit]

You lose the time readout and the mileage computer

i need my mileage computer. it makes me feel good about owning a 2.0L

 

[khaydin]

You don't need it, it's not even accurate! Just do the math when you fill up at the pump. Besides that mileage computer is more like a "if you maintain this speed your gas mileage might be this" computer.

 

[ZooMIN3]

You don't need it, it's not even accurate! Just do the math when you fill up at the pump. Besides that mileage computer is more like a "if you maintain this speed your gas mileage might be this" computer.

lol, true. mine fluctuates; like picking random numbers just cause... I should probably write down these numbers in sequential order and play the lotto!!! (mj)

 

[SurfSpit]

oh i didnt realize thats what you meant. i thought you meant the odometer. (total miles driven. miles A,B,C) again, i'm a newbie to this modern car stuff