Hello everyone,

2 quick questions.

Sometimes I want to make a quick start, and I get to the speed I want to get to quickly, but then am fine with accelerating slowly/being fuel efficient... so I'll shift from 2nd to 5th (I'll get to like 60-80kmph and then shift up) clutch in, shift to 5th and as I'm shifting the gear forward (after moving it right from it's neutral position) it'll grind going in. This happens when I shift from 3rd to 5th too... anyone have any idea? 2006 Mazda 3 with 60,000km.

2nd question.... when I slam my breaks, they don't go in all the way, but they start grinding and fighting back as if it's resisting. I've only been driving it for a couple weeks.. and I've only noticed it when there's snow on the ground... is this my ABS? or is there a malfunction? It's not my break pads as I just had my maintenance done yesterday and my mechanic said my breaks were good... I just forgot to ask him about the grinding because in all honesty... I'm not slamming my breaks that often lol

thanks for the help...

Marc

 

could be the 5th gear synchro, though i'd think it would last way longer. you can try double clutching (clutch out in neutral between gears) and see if it goes away. Also try shifting slower and see if that helps at all. Could be that you're slamming it into gear too quick.

your brakes fighting back, which I assume you can feel in the pedal is probably the ABS. you can try driving on different surfaces to make sure. The ABS noise also occurs when traction control kicks in, so try flooring it in the snow and you should get that same noise in a short burst.

 

I'll try all that today and get back to you, thanks a lot, much appreciated

 

still happens, even if I double clutch, or shift slowly :|

 

I think all that can be is the synchros are worn... but good news 60k km is like 37k miles... so you should be within warranty for the powertrain. And THIS IS NOT A WEAR ITEM problem. and I don't think the transmission would have required any maintenance - though check your owners manual first, see if you needed to change the fluid after 3 years or something like that.

this is from the mazda site - http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ehicleCode=M3S

POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY
Mazda warrants that the Powertrain Components of new Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement and certain other items are excluded. This "limited warranty" is transferable during the warranty period on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.

 

I went to the dealership where I bought the car, and the mechanic and one of the service departments clerks both told me that "the car isn't designed for you to shift from 2nd to 5th". I told them I could go in *EVERY* other combination/direction without grinding. They said that the mazda3 isn't a roadster and you shouldn't be shifting from 2nd to 5th. My question is: are they lying to cover their asses? The mechanic in question was pretty young so is it possible he maybe just doesn't know?

If it IS in fact an issue, would it typically be covered by my manufacturers warranty? I'm still within my 90 day warranty from the specific dealership, so if it is a defect or anything like that, they're liable to cover it, except if they convince me that it's a non-issue....

Is it a non-issue? Anyone else here with a 2006 Mazda3 GS able to shift from 2nd to 5th or 3rd to 5th without getting any grinding when you shift?

 

They are full of crap and trying to get out of a repair that won't leave you stranded until after the warranty is up. There is no reason that you can't go from any gear to any other gear, sports car or not, it's a transmission. If there was a problem between different gears they would design it like a motorcycle with no choice but to tick through each gear in sequence.
I'd bet there is no warning in the owners manual about how to shift - double check though.

By chance does it occur when you go from 5th at high speed to neutral, let the clutch out, and put it back in 5th... I'd assume it will in which case it's a synchro problem. And that is a completely legitimate use of neutral to coast.

 

another idea... if the trans shouldn't go 2-5, then ALL 3's on the lot should also grind. You say it didn't used to do this i'm sure, and they will say that you caused the grind from repeatedly skipping gears, but it's worth making that point - or ask others waiting for service if they skip gears and have any issue.

see https://www.mazda3club.com/mazda3-mazdaspeed3-99/5th-gear-grinding-54586/

 

I much appreciate the guidance/attention djs, thanks a lot.

I'll do some more tests, but I do remember it happening when I go from neutral to 5th at high speeds.

I called the dealership, and I made my concerns clear to one of the customer relations managers, she told me that the head foreman would look at the car, and if there's an issue, he'll sort it out. Since the 2nd-5th grinding happens 100% of the time, I'm confident that it will be taken care of. She said that the foreman would ride with me in the car and allow me to show him the problems I'm talking about.

I'm going in this Friday morning and I'll report back with what happens.

 

I replied with info to the wrong post ...

I hadn't thought about it until I was driving home a few days ago. But i'm another example of someone that skips gears regularly and have 33k miles on my 07 3. On my way around town i'll regularly skip from 2nd or 3rd to 5th at 20-25mph with no issues.