2012 MS (new owner)
 

Hey all.

Pretty excited. Just picked up a 2012 MazdaSpeed 3. Grey in Color. 48,000 KM.

Had a few questions.

Have been reading around about the passenger side dash. I understand that he airbag system can leave small marks in the dash. I don't want mine to get worse as its showing like an x outline. Anyone have experience getting this fixed or dealt with Mazda?

Also I am looking for a solid iPhone mount for the car. The vent clip on ones suck because of the angle the vents are one and how it's designed. Any suggestions for a 6S?

Been reading about oil. 5W30. Just debating what kind. My mechanic uses Penzoil in his shop. I have been reading some good reports on it. Any suggestions?

Lastly, car safeties no problem. Drives quiet and smooth. Just curious any maintenance or things I should take care of. (filters, belts, any other things).

I love the drive. Tight shifting, great power. I am having tint done next week and detailing. Look forward to reading more about my car on the forums!

Not in the welcome area but welcome anyway!

Welcome. I recommend starting here, lots of good info: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...st-read-99499/

I heard there was a dash recall. I would look it up. I believe if it starts to degrade the dealer will swap it free of charge.

Stay away from conventional oil. As long as it's synthetic like Penzoil Platinum or Ultra then you're fine. This forum likes Napa Gold or OEM oil filters.

For maintenance this car is easy change your oil, transmission fluid at the recommended intervals.
If you're still on stock tranny fluid swap it out with Redline MTL for buttery smooth shifting, the stock stuff is junk and is known to cause gears grind. I would also change the spark plugs a little more often than recommended. From my experience this car likes a fresh set of plugs. I change mine every 15-20K. Other maintenance items like belts and other crap are outlined in the owners manual.

Oh there is one bigger maintenance item that's not mentioned in the owners manual, you should cleaning the intakes valves at around 40-50K miles. They get a lot of build since this car is direct injection.

For a decent mount I have this in my car:

Amazon.com: Car Mount TechMatte MagGrip CD Slot Magnetic Universal Car Mount Holder for Smartphones including iPhone 6, 6S, Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

Here is the pic of the dash. It almost looks like an X marking. Thanks for the replies. I sent an request to Mazda and a customer rep is looking into it. Hopefully it can be looked at. Doesn't effect performance obviously. But cosmetic and annoying especially on a newer car.

I have the same thing on my... It doesn't bother me though...

My car's looked like that too since the day I bought her new - I thought that was the normal way that's supposed to look?

Mazda able to come up with a fix? Wasn't sure if it was normal. Just worried it will spread or get worse. That's all.

I had a 2013 gen2 purchased it with 5k miles and it had the same mark. That mark is there for a reason, so when the airbag deploys it tears the dash where the lines are which is the outline of the x. Most cars that had a passenger airbag like that have the same mark of some kind on the dash where the airbag is. Nothing to worry about.

Mazda came came up with a fix for the dash board flexing.. Not that x looking thing.. I have a 2013 with the same x

Good to hear. Thanks for the info. I won't worry to much. Taking it in for a clean oil change. I appreciate the suggestions.

You could do that your self... Takes 30 mins

Change your own oil. Know its done right with quality parts.

With any preowned car, start by changing the oil, spark plugs, tranny and brake fluid. Inspect the rotors and pads for wear, and replace if necessary.

Thumb through the owners manual, it will detail all the maintenance items and intervals.

That x in the dash won't move until you rear-end a Honda.

+1

also we are fortunate to have screw on filters too, the earlier speed3s had a PITA cartridge filter instead...so even easier haha

What are you guys using for an iPhone mount for the car?

my cup holder lol.. I hate stuff attached to my screen.

Picked up this car mount.. Looks like its versatile and can stick to many surfaces. The dash is laid out a bit different so I might glass mount it..


https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...f_rd_i=desktop

Just purchased this one a month ago. I'm really happy with it. Simple and inexpensive. I'm using it with my iPhone 5s.

Amazon.com: Aikema PH05 Air Vent Universal Car Mount,Car Phone Mount Holder,Cell Phone and Iphone Car Mount Holder with 360°rotate for iPhone 6s Plus,Samsung,GPS and More Smartphone: Cell Phones & Accessories

Amazon.com: Scosche MAGDMB MagicMount Magnetic Dash Mount for Mobile Devices: Car Electronics

Welcome to the forum!

The guys have said it all, oil change(preferably Pennzoil platinum synth 5w30 or royal purple as this has been discussed and proven on this forum), spark plugs etc.
That mark in your dash is totally normal, I have it also. Like dennisms3 mentioned to you, its for the purpose of easy air bag engagement during an accident, so don't worry about it.
By the way your car looks nice and clean and definitely you bought it with good mileage. To give you an idea, I have a 2013 and I have your mileage!
Any plans on modding in the future? If you do be advice that there are things that should be a top priority in your list like the cobb AP and HPFP internals. These 2 are very fundamental if you plan on doing any modding or tuning to your car. At first you are probably thinking "Nah, i'm just going to do maybe intake and that's it" but as the mod bug bites you, the list is going to grow. Trust me it happened to me and I'm getting ready to do meth kit.
Be faithful with your car's maintenance and enjoy the platform!

Hit a pot hole. Damaged tire. Not to happy. I hope nothing else. Puta damper on things. Thanks for all the advice.

That thing is huge. I just use a steelie. I stuck the ball to the right of my stereo on the metra dash kit. I also put a dual USB socket in the passenger side of my center console.

I'm confused... I first came here and People said rotella t6 and now it's Pennzoil?

It's still T6 that is the best. Pennzoil Pure Plus is good if you want to stay within factory weight.

sent from my Nexus 6P

Haha ok.. I'm sitting here thinking "WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN PUTTING I'M MY CAR"

Probably drugs.

sent from my Nexus 6P

well yea. I didn't think that was even a question

Oh man.........Here we go.

Did in cause some sort of problem? Hahaha

Quick question. What is the best touch up paint Color or mix I should be using. I understand grey is a very difficult Color to match. I believe the MazdaSpeed 3 is a special type of grey. Like a metallic or mica. Any thoughts ?

Might want to go to Mazda ?

Dr. ColorChip Automotive Paint Chip Repair Kit - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems is suppose to be a good touch up kit. Get your paint code from your door jam.

Gonna call Crown tomorrow and order proper touch up. I got some from Rondex. But seems a little Off.

Why not get the paint from Mazda?

Mazda paint touch up pens work like a charm for small nicks and dings.

So my car includes nice MazdaSpeed rubber mats. But I need the regular mats. Been looking online. Wondering if anyone has a set or know where I can get some at a decent price ?

Welcome. I've been looking for a phone mount also just can't really decide on one that I like.