mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

2023-01-03 12:32:11

Every new Mazda comes with a limited warranty that provides coverage in the unlikely event a repair is needed in the first years of ownership. Exact details are in your warranty information booklet, but rest-assured, we"ll be right there with you. Along with your warranty coverage, Mazda provides 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance for specific warranties, so the only thing you will need to do is enjoy the drive. Keep in mind, Mazda warranty coverage is based on following recommended factory maintenance — a convenient way to store your service records is in the MyMazda Service History Pages. It"s easy to complete and a good way to manage your service history.

The New-Vehicle Limited Warranty period for defects in materials and workmanship in all parts supplied by Mazda2 is 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This transferable limited warranty is included on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.

The Powertrain Limited Warranty period for defects in materials and workmanship in the powertrain components supplied by Mazda3 is 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. This limited warranty is transferable during the warranty period on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States. Please reference the warranty chart above for further warranty information.

Mazda Motor Corporation extended the warranty coverage on rotary engine core components on all RX-8 vehicles. The warranty coverage for the Rotary Engine Core Components is extended to eight years (96 months) from the original warranty start date, with a 100,000 mileage limitation. The following is a list of components covered by this warranty:

If a Mazda vehicle is not drivable due to a warranted part failure during the coverage period of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (36 months/36,000 miles), towing service will be covered to the nearest Mazda Dealer. In addition, if a Mazda vehicle is not drivable due to the failure of a warranted powertrain component, then towing service will be covered during the coverage period of the Mazda Powertrain Limited Warranty (60 months/60,000 miles). If a Mazda RX-8 is not drivable due to the failure of a warranted rotary engine core component, then towing service will be covered during the coverage period of the Rotary Engine Care Limited Warranty Extension (96 months/100,000 miles).

Mazda"s genuine new or remanufactured parts (other than battery) and accessories purchased from or installed by a Mazda dealer are covered under the Replacement Parts and Accessories Warranty. This includes Mazda Accessories installed by a Mazda dealer prior to the retail delivery of a new Mazda vehicle. A Mazda dealer will repair or replace any properly installed Mazda part or accessory found to be defective in material or workmanship during the Replacement Parts and Accessories Warranty or the remainder of the warranty coverage applied by Mazda to the component.

All Mazda Genuine Parts or Value Products by Mazda Brake Pads and Shoes are under warranty, as long as the original purchaser of the replacement brake pads or shoes owns the vehicle on which they were originally installed.

If the brake pads and/or shoes become damaged, defective, or worn out during the warranty period, they may be exchanged for new warranty-equivalent Mazda Genuine Parts or Value Products by Mazda Brake Pads or Shoes.

Upon purchase, your authorized Mazda dealer will provide you with a service repair order, which is considered proof of purchase under the terms of the warranty. When requesting a warranty replacement, the service repair order must be presented, and the original components must be returned and exchanged for new replacement brake pads or shoes.

The customer is responsible for installation charges upon replacement. See your authorized Mazda dealer for a complete list of warranty rights and limitations.

Mazda battery warranties are subject to the limitations and exclusions listed in the Mazda Vehicle’s Warranty Information Booklet, “What is Not Covered,” under the Replacement Parts and Accessories Warranty.

Mazda notes that all Genuine Mazda Accessories, if installed by the Mazda Dealer prior to or at initial vehicle retail delivery, carry the same new-vehicle limited warranty as the vehicle. See dealer for limited-warranty details. With all accessories, please check with your Mazda dealer for applicable models. In some cases, additional parts may be required for proper installation. In all cases, professional installation by your Mazda Dealer is recommended. Mazda reserves the right to change product availability or specifications at any time without incurring obligations. See your Mazda Dealer for details.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees and $1,275 destination charge (Alaska $1,320). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

MSRP excludes tax, title, license fees and $1,275 destination charge (Alaska $1,320). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees and $1,275 destination charge (Alaska $1,320). Vehicle shown may be priced higher. Actual dealer price will vary. See dealer for complete details.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

Great question! So, the catalytic converter in a Mazda 3 regulates your car’s harmful emissions by converting toxic pollutants in your exhaust into safe gasses. Without a working converter, your Mazda will have several performance issues and increased harmful emissions. Not to mention, it’s illegal in many states to drive without a converter—and you’ll almost certainly fail emissions testing.

As far as the price you were quoted, $500 is fairly common for a converter replacement—even a little on the low side. But you can always get quotes from multiple mechanics and compare them to confirm you’re getting a fair rate.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

For an AC system to work, it needs a gas or liquid substance called refrigerant (R-12 in older cars, R-134a in 1995 and newer cars). Over time, refrigerant can leak from the AC system through seals. If the AC does not have enough refrigerant, it will not blow cold air.

There are two types of refrigerant. These cannot be interchanged. For older cars, it should be filled with R12 refrigerant or converted to a newer system. For cars made after 1995, the AC should be filled with R134a.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

Battery assessment:With the engine turned off, connect the multimeter leads to the battery terminals — red to the positive terminal, black to the negative terminal. A good, fully charged battery should measure between 12.6 -13.2 volts.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

Mazda is known for producing good, dependable vehicles. Out of the 36 compact cars rated, between 2014-2018 Consumer Reports gave the Mazda 3 a perfect 5 out of 5 for reliability. The bad news is that after a redesign in 2019, the reliability rating fell to 3 out of a possible 5 points.

But, the 2020 Mazda 3 made a quick recovery, again scoring a perfect five out of a possible 5 points for reliability and while the 2021 model again fell in reliability rating points, it did not slip as far as in past models. The 2021 Mazda 3 has been given 4 out of 5 points in reliability.

The Mazda 3 is additionally known for its low cost of ownership. The average repair cost is only $433 annually and the severity of the repairs needed is considered low. Major mechanical issues are not common for the Mazda 3.

And while the Mazda 3 doesn’t offer the best warranty of all the compact cars, its standard warranty for the 2021 model year provides coverage for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Mazda 3 powertrain warranty lasts for 60 months or 60,000 miles. Mazda also provides 24/7 roadside assistance in its standard warranty.

Although US News and World Reports shares that the Mazda 3 is the #1 compact car currently on the market, there are some common problems that occur in many Mazdas including:

Mazda’s engines have a bad reputation stemming from variable valve timing (VVT) defects that can cause oil leaks, excessive smoke coming from the tail pipes, loose timing chains, and ultimately, total engine failure.

Mazda owners of the 2019 model had numerous complaints about engine issues…from losing power to erratic idle. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) stated that over 260,000 Mazda 3s had the wrong software installed in the powertrain control module (PCM). This issue could cause engines to stall or even completely shut off while driving.

On the bright side, you can expect 150,000 to 200,000 miles from your Mazda 3 engine. If your vehicle has gotten lighter use and good routine maintenance has been performed at recommended intervals, you could expect to surpass 250,000 or even 300,000 miles!

From 2005 to 2020, Mazda 3 transmissions have been very reliable. This certainly doesn’t mean there haven’t been issues or that a Mazda 3 transmission has never failed.

When recommended maintenance has not been performed per manufacturer’s specification, you can expect to have a high transmission failure rate. Additionally, you should know that Mazda 3s which have been used in towing experience a higher rate of failure.

Compared to other vehicles in the compact car class, the Mazda 3 has been relatively trouble free in the transmission problems universe. The Mazda Motor Corporation has offered all kinds of transmissions in the Mazda 3 over the years including manuals, CVTs and automatics. Mazdas were notorious for their automatic transmission problems in the early 2000 models. The newer Skyactiv transmissions are much more reliable than the old, infamous Jatco transmissions.

Ford and Mazda collaborated on the ill-fated Jatco transmissions dating back to the 1980s. These transmissions suffered many problems, including slippage and failing to engage gears, engaging reverse when not intended, and flares during acceleration.

The Mazda CX-3 crossover was also plagued by transmission problems. This problem peaked in 2016 when it was reported that the transmission fluid was leaking and caused the shifter to tremble or the vehicle to lose speed.

The function of any transmission is to control the speed and torque of a car. A good transmission will provide smooth shifting, efficiency and reliability. A failed transmission is expensive to fix, costing anywhere from $3000 to $5000 or more. So buyer beware! Not all Mazda transmissions are equal. Used car buyers will need to make sure that the gearbox was serviced properly. But if you buy any Mazda 3 from the previous 5 – or even 10 years – the transmission should be just fine. If you have concerns, it might prove wise to invest in an extended warranty program like those offered at Olive.com.

If your Mazda 3 vehicle hesitates when accelerating – like when you are going up a hill – you may have a clogged fuel pump or dirty injectors. When this happens, the engine will run lean because it will not get as much fuel as needed.

Owners have experienced starting problems with the Mazda 3 but this issue could be caused by a variety of things: the switch could be faulty, there may be a bad connection in the solenoid control, the starter itself could be faulty or there might be a problem with the safety switch.

In the Mazda 3, hard staring when cold could stem from a faulty thermostat that caused the engine’s temperature to drop. Additionally, in extremely cold conditions (we’re talking –20F) owners reported their vehicles were difficult to start. This was prevalent in model years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 model years and occurred at an average mileage of 76,130.

Losing pressure on the brake pedal when applying the breaks has been reported in a number of cases. Additionally 2014 – 2016 Mazda 3 vehicles were recalled when water could enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake to corrode and bind. There were also concerns about 2016 rear brake excessive wear issues.

Mazda 3 owners reported that the AC was not working properly. The 3 most common reasons for this to occur are a leak in refrigerant, an electrical issue in the climate control system or the AC compressor.

A malfunction of the AC compressor occurs only 12% of the time when an air conditioner is not functioning properly. Leakage is at fault 37% of the time and 21 % of the time it’s the climate control system.

The website mazda3forums.com shares a variety of chats about everything from the Mazda 3 door lock not working correctly, to not unlocking at all. And many of these issues were true for both the manual lock and also the electronic locking methods. Some owners reported problems with all door locks, others had issues with just the driver’s side door.

For Mazda 3s with power door locks, each door has an electronic controlled actuator. When an actuator fails, you will find that your car may not lock or unlock as expected.

For many of the problems dealing with the Mazda 3 door locks, replacement of the actuator was required. This was not a major expense – but it isn’t minor either.

These actuators may also incorporate a switch that triggers interior lights and the security and / or alarm system. Owners have also reported that in some cases, the lock actuators continuously locked and unlocked, draining the battery of their Mazda 3.

Some Mazda 3 owners have had issues with turning and steering difficulties. If this is happening in your Mazda 3, you’ll want to first check the power steering fluid. You might also want to check for a steering fluid leak. Check on the ground below your engine for a clear or amber colored liquid. It will have a distinct smell that some believe resemble the smell of “burnt marshmellows.”

If you Mazda 3 is difficult to steer when it first gets running, that could mean you have a problem with your steering rack. As your car warms up, the steering should become a bit easier to turn, but this issue should still be checked by a professional and repaired if needed.

While Mazda 3 steering wheel problems could be more complex than what we talked about, be sure to check these three areas first to either aid your mechanic in diagnosis or eliminate the problem with a simple DIY fix.

In August of 2019, Mazda sent out a letter informing owners of 2014-1016 Mazda 3s that they were extending the warranty for the Connect Center Display. This issue involved the touch screen becoming non-responsive due to corrosion caused by moisture.

The ‘heads up” or “active driving display” caused Mazda 3 owners issues. It was reported that this display failed to show navigation info, wouldn’t operate correctly in cold environments and often didn’t open all the way, as reported on reddit.com.

Misfires, acceleration hesitation and a decrease in miles per gallon could be caused by a faulty oxygen sensor in the Mazda 3. This sensor balances your car’s emissions and helps to maintain the right air-to-fuel ratio. Although you can still drive your car if this sensor is faulty, you should have it repaired as quickly as possible for safety and also to avoid damage to other critical car components.

The Mazda 3 clutch has been an ongoing issue reported by owners. Mazda 3 vehicles with a single disc clutch are the main source of the issue for 2010 and 2011 models. CarComplaints.com has said that owners were having to replace the clutch in the Mazda 3 before the car hit its first 50,000 miles.

Also clutch related, Mazda 3 owners reported clutch slippage. “Slipping” means that when the clutch is fully compressed, there’s not enough pressure to transfer the force from the flywheel to the transmission. This happens for a variety of reasons, most commonly, the disc is worn.

Keeping the fluid level topped off may save Mazda 3 owners from having to visit the mechanic, but technically speaking you should have to change the clutch fluid unless these is an issue with the clutch itself. Every 2 or 3 years you can change the clutch fluid, should you feel the need.

Although the Mazda 3 included many electronic high tech features and options, the electrical system often appears to have caused more problems than it solved.

A Service Bulletin #SA-054-20b was issued in regard to what first appeared to be an engine issue, but was later diagnosed as an electrical problem when it was discovered that the Mazda 3 was having staring problems due to low voltage.

Mazda 3 owners have reported experiencing radio reception issues. This could be a problem with the antenna connection. Before you seek service, know that these antenna connections can become loose, worn or corroded and this in turn can make it hard to tune into your desired radio station.

Typical services for the Mazda 3 will range between $286 and $317, with additional scheduled maintenance procedures, including oil changes, and filter and spark plug replacements, to cost up to $276 when required. This is on top of the standard service prices.

A Mazda 3 will depreciate 43% after 5 years. It is only after 7 years that the Mazda 3 retained value falls considerably behind many of its peers in the compact car category.

But used car shoppers need to know that every Mazda 3 model has faced some type of recall. The 2014 and 2015 models were each recalled three times. The recalls were due to concerns focusing around the fuel system and parking brake.

If you’re looking for a quick answer – avoid the first generation 2004 model year. Next in line for years to avoid include the 2nd generation’s 2010, 2012 and 2013 models.

Coming off of a year like 2010, it’s no surprise that the next year’s model will also have some issues. But US News reports that the Mazda 3 was one of the best performing 2011 small cars based on the evaluation of 53 pieces of data used in scoring.

The Mazda 3’s 2013 model saw some improvement – the transmissions weren’t as bad as in previous years – but the issues with the poor interior “build” quality remained.

After that first year’s issues, year two and beyond were much better. It was the second generation and the first model of the third generation that set the Mazda 3 back when talking reliability and customer satisfaction.

2014 Mazda 3 problems were far and few between and included airbag warning light illumination, a rattle in the rear suspension, rear brake squeaking and ignition switch failure causing the chime to sound continuously.

The main complaint about the 2015 Mazda 3 was that the infotainment system would just up and die. While it didn’t affect safety…and it didn’t cost much to repair, it was still an annoying issue.

The 2016 Mazda 3 had few complaints. Excessive brake wear led the very short list of complaints. For reference, rear view camera and a touch screen infotainment system became standard in this model year.

In 2017 Mazda recalled some of the Mazda 3s for a fuel tank issue. In fact, there was also a recall issued for the 2014 – 1016 Mazda 3s due to a fuel tank that could leak if the check value was installed improperly. This issue increased the risk of fire.

The 2018 Mazda 3 only got 3 out of 5 stars in the J.D. Power’s reliability ratings, although this still left the Mazda 3 with an “average” rating. But its strengths seemed to outperform its weaknesses. The 2018 model was considered an agile and comfortable car with zippy, fuel efficient engine options. The cabin styling and materials used were close to luxury-like and it had many safety features. Drawbacks were that the touch screen infotainment system only functioned when stopped or parked, and the hatchback models had less cargo space than other compact car rivals in the same class.

Mazda 3 problems for 2019 included electrical and engine issues, along with problems with the collision avoidance system and complaints about steering.

The Mazda 3 was redesigned for 2019 but there were only a few changes that were noteworthy: forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and driver condition monitoring were all made standard for the 2020 model year.

2020 brought an average rating in reliability for the Mazda 3, but in the US News Scorecard is was given an 8.5 out of a possible 10. Performance scored an 8.6. The interior comfort was 7.8. Critics gave it a 9.6. And, it scored a perfect 10 in safety.

Reviews went on to say, “The Mazda 3 is an outstanding compact car that’s a blast to drive. It comes in two body styles: sedan and hatchback. No matter which one you select, you’ll get an agile vehicle with responsive steering and braking, as well as a peppy engine. Inside, the Mazda3 looks upscale, and it has plenty of user-friendly features.”

In a recent Consumer Report study on reliability, Mazda Motor Corporation now outranks longstanding favorites like Lexus and Toyota as the most trusted auto manufacturer. The Mazda brand is the highest ranking automaker for dependability in the U.S.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

We"re happy to get your car driving great again, and make that pesky check engine light turn off so you can drive worry-free. And remember: we"re one of the leading Mazda dealers in Arkansas, so you know you can trust Crain to do work right the first time...and every time.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

MX-5 Miata Forum > ND (2016+) Miata > ND Infotainment and Electronics > To those of you disliking Mazda"s infotainment screen, what"s a good solution?

Many people on this forum seem displeased with Mazda"s application of the infotainment unit in the ND. I generally agree with them (note this is not a rant against the ND. I think it"s a beautifully styled vehicle).

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/convertibles/1409_2016_mazda_mx5_miata_first_look/78319789+w670+h447+cr1+ar0/2016-mazda-mx-5-miata-live-reveal-interior-02.jpg

Uh, don"t order one with it?! It"s that simple, people. Just get the one without the screen -- the manual radio controls a la the Mazda3. Derek Jenkins and his interior guy said there will be different configs w/o a display (just like the 3, 6, CX-5). The backup cam doesn"t cover all cars until 2018 y"know...

[QUOTE=GoDogGo;7112647]Uh, don"t order one with it?! It"s that simple, people. Just get the one without the screen -- the manual radio controls a la the Mazda3. Derek Jenkins and his interior guy said there will be different configs w/o a display (just like the 3, 6, CX-5).

As an increased image size requirement (such as the 10 minutes of arc suggested by Delphi) would require a significantly larger display (which can preclude a manufacturer from installing an in-mirror rear visibility system), we believe that such a requirement is unnecessarily design restrictive without yielding significant benefits to safety.

It would be cool if there was a delete-screen option and any useful info it did show got transferred to the IP LCD where fuel and temp are normally shown.

I think as its current function it is silly. However, if someone somehow manages to make it fully programmable like modern smart phones can be flashed with new operating systems, still retain all stock usability and add the ability to run something similar to Torque? I"d die happy. It would have a beautiful purpose. Switch radio stations, click a button for an overlay and bam, full water temp, oil pressure, fuel trims, timing trims, hell put a turbo on it and run a boost controller through it. Go from "eco mode" to "hold on to your organs" mode at a touch of a button when the stupid mustang pulls up next to you. But I like gizmos like that. It"s also veryyyyy difficult, however if someone figured it out they"d also have a market via the rest of the Mazda lineup assuming no significant differences between it and the other cars. :thumbs:

The rear view camera display is in the mirror in my son"s Mustang, and on the infotainment screen in my wife"s Edge. They both work well, though it"s more needed in the Edge of course. For sports cars, the mirror is the way to go, IMO (you"re checking your mirrors anyway).

Yeah I posted in that other thread some pix of a BMW Z4 that was set up like this, people suggested Mazda couldn"t do this due to cost but I"m not buying that, other than they totally cheaped out and just tacked the existing Mazda 3 system up there, which sucks in that car too.

Apparently while the hardware is cheap (which is why I have been saying the cost of the screen, etc. for the Mazda is not that big of a deal) it costs money for the software, maps, etc. to run the systems.

Mazda3 customers have been having a field day with glitches (some niggly, some moreso) in the infotainment software, since the vehicle was first released a year ago.

I wish that they had an option to not have the panel and just use "Active Driving Display" (see pg. 16 of the Mazda 3 quick start guide). The screen menus look incredibly complicated and confusing......

I"ve used the joystick on my friend"s BMW 1 and 3-series, it"s complicated at first but once I got used to it, it"s easy to navigate the menu at a convenient location.

If mazda does indeed monitor these forums, then I can see why they would think audio quality is irrelevant therefore upgradeability is also of no concern to them.

technically they could have put the screen where the air controls are, pushed the air controls to where that cubby with the usb ports are and stuck the usb and phone charger ports in the glove box like a lot of mazda"s have. but I think that would have been worse to live with even if it looked nicer.

I"m not a fan of the popup head unit thing thats why I like the mazda 6 interior better, but on a car this size, theres not much they can do that makes more sense.

Mazda3 customers have been having a field day with glitches (some niggly, some moreso) in the infotainment software, since the vehicle was first released a year ago.

These scenarios don"t even try to take over the center gauge so that could stay as an analog display for those who want it, but were it digital, a person could have many custom configurations.

But if you do that, you"ve increased substantially the distance you need to turn your head back and forth to monitor the camera and the view behind you, probably by another 30* or so.

I have no problem with an LCD screen in my car, but I hate how fast the software becomes outdated, so I also like the dumb screen driven by your phone idea. Not sure how to reconcile that with a digital gauge cluster, though.

But if you do that, you"ve increased substantially the distance you need to turn your head back and forth to monitor the camera and the view behind you, probably by another 30* or so.

Whereas some cars now suffer the blight of not one, but two display screens in the middle of their dashboards (looking at you, Infiniti Q50), the TT does away with a central screen entirely.

All navigational, informational and instrumental information is routed through the Audi Virtual Cockpit to this display. It is a screen that replaces the traditional instrument cluster ahead of the driver, clearing the dashboard of glowing LCD clutter.

Whereas some cars now suffer the blight of not one, but two display screens in the middle of their dashboards (looking at you, Infiniti Q50), the TT does away with a central screen entirely.

You guys are all ridiculous b*tching about the screen. If you dont like it then just go buy one of all the other ~2300lb convertibles that cost less than 30k.

I highly suggest stopping all the whining until you get a chance to actually sit in the car. Or go test drive a Mazda3 with the system. It is very unobtrusive behind the wheel. Complaining without trying is like complaining the miata doesn"t have enough steering feel because it is EPS despite never driving it. Pure armchair analysis

Philly keeps telling us it"s ok in the Mazda 3, and to quit our bitching but that"s hardly a valid comparison, totally different cars for totally different purposes.

Oh, I"m sure Mazda never thought to test this with the top down! How could they be so foolish! Sound the General Alarm!! We must stop this travesty from happening!!! Even though we don"t know anything about the implementation!!!!!! Mazda is full of idiots that don"t know how to make a car enjoyable!!!!!!!!! We must save them from themselves!!!!!!!!!!!!

Philly keeps telling us it"s ok in the Mazda 3, and to quit our bitching but that"s hardly a valid comparison, totally different cars for totally different purposes.

Now, you guys are getting what I"ve been getting with grille. Some folks don"t want anything negative said about the ND. Instead of bitching here, you might try sending a note through Mazda USA, like I did. That might be apt to get more results. And, maybe not. :dunno:

Though the info screen might be the greatest thing since popcorn, it still looks like an afterthought. What might be OK in a Mazda3 might not please someone who wants to buy a MX-5. As I"ve said before, I don"t like its looks either. As has been mentioned by others, there are other ways of presenting the information without having a tacky looking screen sticking up in the middle of the dash, like that. That said, the shorter screen shown might be more tolerable. I"d have to see it, in the flesh, before I can decide for myself.

I don"t fault Mazda for putting it in there. Such things are table stakes on all inexpensive general-purpose cars these days. As much as many of us are kind of sports car purists, there are not 50,000 of such purists who will buy this car every year, so they are putting something in that will appeal to the masses. Just like many of us did with sun visors, we will just remove what we don"t like.

I"m waiting to see how much the navigation package will cost and if the audio system is decent. Otherwise, I"ll just get one of the Clarions with the motorized retractable display. They look pretty generic when retracted so maybe that would prevent theft. Also, in the military (USAF), they always taught me to back up vehicles using just the mirrors and I"ve been doing that ever since. Are backup cameras really necessary or is this some insurance saving deal?

I actually wondered if a back up camera could be like a HUD....the HUD could be used to used to display oil, water temps or whatever else could be programmed but switch to camera mode when the car is put into reverse....too farfetched?

However, I have driven cars like the Prius where the infotainment displays are located in places similar to where the radios were on our older cars. And looking at this displays while driving (for instance for a GPS map) takes your eyes off the road. So from a functional perspective - being able to see the screen without looking away from the road - the only *other* solutions I can come up with that HUDs, full digital gauge clusters, etc - which I think would be *more* of a problem for being against the simplicity of the Miata.

Well I think the bigger point they are missing is that it is what the overwhelming majority of consumers want and demand in a new car these days, and the manufacturers like Mazda are only responding to market forces.

Only thing is the utility of the Mazda nav package compared with other options. What is to be done with a 10+ year old, antiquated navigation device (ignoring the radio for now) in 2025? I am not sure there"s a good solution for this problem, since software updates alone are not going to get it done. I think we"ll find in a decade many of us are propping some other device up in the spot where the ND"s nav screen is located.

Mazda is good with cars, let someone else handle electronics. IMHO. If I had a vote, I"d be for putting the backup camera output in the rear-view mirror and keeping an easy-to-replace DIN radio, leave dashboard-mounted navigation as an option so some of us can buy the car without it and just use our own 3rd party device.

I also wish Mazda would place the backup camera in the rear-view mirror and use a smaller, easily upgradeable radio as the base option in all configurations.

Imagine if Mazda had made the wheel/hub size a proprietary pattern, and only the stock wheels would fit, no way to upgrade you HAVE to use the stock wheels.

I was hoping to find something online where someone has removed one of these from a Mazda3 to see how it"s mounted and what the interface back to the head unit looks like. No luck so far.

I"m glad Mazda didn"t build their dash around a giant double din hole. It makes the FRS dash look like something from the 90s with an aftermarket stereo in it. Ultimately aftermarket car stereos are going to have to move toward hidden units with remote mounted displays and controls.

The current Mazda 3 "infotainment" system with the big screen is brought to you by the fine folks at Bose :rolleyes:, you know those "better technology through excessive advertising" folks.

I suspect Clearwater will come along with a solution for speakers but you"ll still be stuck with the head unit, unless someone comes up with a Mazda 3 aftermarket setup since it seems to be more or less the same thing as on the ND.

The solution is an NC-style dash with a doublie-din LCD screen stereo where the "Hello!" stereo usually resides. Clean. Nothing sticking up. I think I"d snap off that ugly screen. Blech. What were they thinking? If it retracted, that would be cool, though.

Bose"s latest creation is this pole speaker system with tiny subs, the idea is you put the PA BEHIND you so you don"t need monitors. The speakers are like 3", a bunch of them in a column. They are like "ok" for a coffee house type setup but the Bose ads show bands with drum sets and such using them.

You gotta applaud bose for one thing, they have one heck of marketing dept. Actually come to think of it, mazda"s marketing dept is pretty awful. what they should be doing is hire bose for their marketing dept not their speakers. ;)

Unfortunately, I have to say yes. There is some talk that you will be able to use the Mazda Toolbox for the Connect software upgrades in the future. The future can"t come soon enough.:(

However, I recently sold a 2012 Mazda 3 SGT with a quite incredible OEM Bose system with the "center point system" that sounds better then OEM systems in Mercedes, BMW and others I have heard, so maybe they are improving. There "center point system" enhances imaging, but more in a spacial way... not very uncolored, but it sounds really good in an enclosed car space.

If you were to try and replace the unit in the Mazda3 you would need to replace the navigation, maintenance indications, heads up display control, vehicle settings (doors/lights/etc); not just the audio. And I seriously doubt a fold down feature is going to be forthcoming. Everyone says they want one till it costs $500.

Like so many aspects of car ownership (horsepower, tire size, and so on), sound systems are pretty subjective. For some owners, the music capability is low on the list--for me it"s just above cup holders. I wouldn"t expect to pay an additional bunch of bucks to have music hall sound in a car that"s open to the wind a good part of the time. Likewise, I don"t need to have 300 hp...but again that is a personal choice.

At Miatas@MRLS, during one of Derek Jenkins" talks (in the big tent), he was asked about the LCD screen on the dash and whether Mazda considered a more traditional location (lower and integrated into the dash). Derek"s responded that Mazda (and other car manufacturers) have done studies on driver reaction times in various scenarios involving the need to look at the screen. The evidence proved that these higher mounted screens offer significantly improved driver reaction times. In a situation where milliseconds make a difference, the higher-mount screen is much more desirable.

Once the decision was made that the screen belongs up higher on the dash, there were only two options. To alter the upper dash area to provide a hood or cover to integrate the screen into the dash (but mounted higher), or, go with the design Mazda chose. Since the hood approach adds weight (and potentially, more ugliness) the current design was chosen.

Trust me, if you ever heard a half inch analog tape master tape running at 30 inches per second, through a Bryston amp and some REALLY Good studio monitors, you would know what good sound truly is.

You could go back and read post 53, but I have cut and pasted it here for your convenience, you are welcome....note this is from an owner of a Mazda 3:

Mazda3 customers have been having a field day with glitches (some niggly, some moreso) in the infotainment software, since the vehicle was first released a year ago.

The real answer is: "we wanted to hold the costs down and we already had this existing system for the Mazda 3, so we made the decision to use it in lieu of a system solely for the ND"

I"d put it more like the ND solution is like those 1970"s style domestic car seat belts that had the lap belt and then the shoulder harness that nobody ever used because it was annoying, contrast that with the integrated 3 point belts on a lot of cars available then.

FWIW I just showed pix of the new Mazda 3 to a current Mazda 3 owner, he bought the version with the Skyactiv but before the exterior/interior restyle so his has the integrated system from that generation.

FWIW this is a VERY tech savvy dude, he installed his own Bluetooth module on his current 3 and he does stuff like monitors his sump pump at home with his iPhone, he"s all for the tech, he just didn"t like the implementation on the new 3.

Yeah I have to believe where this is headed is actual HUD displays or if the thing on top of the dash sticks around they will become a clear polycarbonate glass type setup that illuminates when you touch a control know below, the rest of the time unless you need it, they would stay clear.

I don"t get what you"re saying. Right now I"m interpreting it as "I"m not buying an ND because Mazda is lying about cost cutting. However, if they confessed they were cost cutting I"d buy one."

If you don"t want to read endless posts by people who dislike Mazda"s infotainment screen, I don"t understand why you are reading a long thread titled "To those of you disliking Mazda"s infotainment screen..."

As far as HUDs, full-LCD dashes, etc - that"s all well and good until it"s 7am or 7pm and you are driving east or west with the sun behind a HUD or hitting an LCD and then you won"t be able to see a single thing on your dash display.

In fact, you can read about both the base system and the touchscreen system in the 2015 Mazda3 manual here - https://www.mymazda.com/MusaWeb/pdf/manuals/2015_Mazda3_Owners_Manual.pdf

I am not a super huge fan of the placement of the thing either, and Mazda could have chosen to make it retractable, but it"s not a trivial change and it would add weight, cost, and failure modes.

To suggest that insurance is the solution to the problem is a joke. Wait until you find out how much comprehensive costs for a convertible with a info system that sticks up on the dash. I have worked in the home office of an insurance company for many years and we sit around and discuss the obvious. Do we really want to insure a Miata for comprehensive? If it were your money, would you want to insure that info system in a car that will be parked with the top down????? We also read Forums just as I assume Mazda employyes do as well.

The adoption of the Mazda 3 system is cost cutting pure and simple, and frankly on the 3 it was cost cutting pure and simple. If you look at the previous generation 3, the audio/NAV system was scattered across the dash (which is great because each screen did separate functions) but having those separate modules and screens had to cost more.

Cut to the new three, they put an iPad on top of the dash, and a minimal set of controls below, it made the dash a lot simpler and allowed them to buy a gross of more or less off the shelf LCD screens.

I"m pretty sure the decision to adopt the 3 audio system(s) came early in the interior design, sure it made their job a lot easier, to just plop the display on top of the dash but it wasn"t a requirement, it was just convenient and held the cost down.

Cost to repair failed Audi MMI screen retraction system - $160 off ebay to $1000 at dealership - http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-s8-d3-platform-discussion-60/broken-gear-mmi-screen-retraction-unit-a8-2004-a-2615618/page2/#post24115922

Considering the power door locks in my NB have failed, and all the issues I have seen other people have with NB power door locks..... I"m not sure I trust a lot of the power gizmos with DC motors in them to be honest, even from Mazda. They use plastic gears in a lot of them that wear out pretty easily. I haven"t looked enough in the NC forum to see if that carried over into any of the later generations.

Let me get this straight. You use the price of a replacement unit plus labor from a dealership for an Audi as evidence that Mazda can"t do it cheaply at the factory. Seriously?

Production cost of a retractable screen would be very low, sure repair costs would be higher but issues would be at the 10+ mark if past Mazda stuff going wrong is typical.

OTOH what are the chances of an exposed LCD screen still working in the 6 - 12 year range? Probably pretty low, it seems that CRT Computer monitors lasted forever but LCD ones go for about 6 years; LCD TV"s seem to fare better but I think LCD"s in cars live a rougher life than TV screens do.

Certainly I understand the risk of someone trying to grab it off the dash; my car had a top replacement 4 months after the original owner bought it because someone knifed the top to get at something she left in the console. (Buying a used car from a lady that it was her FIRST NEW CAR EVER that she loved and babied - excellent choice.)

Actually for a poll on Miata.net it"s got a lot of responses, and 31% disliking the screen as their top gripe, and it being the top gripe....that means it"s certainly an issue with Miata owners and enthusiasts.

If mazda stated that the touchscreen portion of this is disabled while driving(hence using the control knob), why cant the display(which is really just a monitor at this point) be output into a more convienent place, such as the the speedo gauge(NAV) or into a monitor in the rearview mirror(Backing up, Changing radio station, music alerts, etc.)? the things I see coming out of the screen could be rerouted as follows:

The Mazda system is supposed to support http://www.opencar.com/ which means there is a SDK for the screen and you can write apps for it, including things based on the sensors in the vehicle.

I really like the mechanical tach and speedometer so the best I can think of other than making it retractable is they really should have worked it into the display to the left of those:

The Mazda system is supposed to support http://www.opencar.com/ which means there is a SDK for the screen and you can write apps for it, including things based on the sensors in the vehicle.

I"m not sure I fully understand the industry (or driving public"s) fetish with fixed physical gauges. It has got to be cheaper to use LCD based displays rather than build physical instrument clusters. I would expect at least two screens, one with "must have" gauges dictated by the manufacturer and one that can be multi-purpose or customized by the customer (and be backup if the "must have" screen fails).

Regardless, that way the LCDs can just be placed in front of the driver in the instrument cluster (where they should be) rather than in a wart growing from the middle of the dash. Modders like Analogeezer can then mod to their heart"s content without having to buy/construct gauge housings to fit in the available nooks and crannys. If there is a need for passenger control (either right seat or, in other cars, back seat) then give them their own pop-up touch-screen LCDs to play with.

I was thinking today that there is probably no chance to avoid the pre-production 2016 MX-5 Radio/Infotainment implementation. It seems too late in the development cycle for Mazda to make that big a change in the design of the electronics and dash considering July 2015 delivery implies April/May production. When one considers the length of the supply chain I would say that, with minor exceptions, what we saw at the beginning of the month is probably what we will get.

The only caveat is that Mazda may have had a completely different alternative Audio/Infotainment setup designed that lost out to the system they presented. In that case they might be able to slip that change in before 2016 production.

LCDs don"t like direct sun - unless SUPER bright they get hard to read and unless very tough, they gan get a bit melty in an 85C (Las Vegas, July, open parking) car - hardening against those gets pretty spendy.

mazda 3 lcd display replacement quotation

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