Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums - Mazda3

Oil

Rekusu — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:35:01 GMT

What ho one and all,
2015 Maz 3 BM 2.00 Skyactive. Had the car for just over one year; bought with 45k on the clock; I have done one oil change and about to do the next at 55k.
The oil I used is Castrol Magnatec 0W-20 but I cannot find it again at a reasonable price. The site I usually visit when I enter the reg, suggests round 30 different brands/types, and that gets my knickers twisted.
The manual suggests as an alternative 5W-30 but also says API -SC/SM/SN and ACEA - A3/A5. the current Magnatec has the required Ford spec number but the API and ACEA are different.
So what is the importance of the correct ACEA and API? If I use a good quality 0W-20 or 5W-30 that has different ACEA and API, what is likely to happen?

Thanks and toodle pip.

PS. I live in the UK so not exactly adverse driving conditions at any time of the year.

FM radio reception

Rekusu — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:26:36 GMT

What ho one and all,

I believe it is commonly accepted that FM reception is most likely better than AM. and until recently, that seemed to be the case.
As of around two weeks ago, my FM is generally now, rubbish with poor reception and a kinda background white noise. However, when turning on FM when I start the engine, all appears to be fine; then a few minutes late, poor reception starts. I have four FM station in the Favourties and they are all behaving the same way.
Anyone experienced this and have a solution as to the fix? My guess is that the service dept will suggest a mega expensive MZD replacement, and that is not about to happen.
As an aside, the car is a 2015 Maz 3 BM 2.0 Skyactiv.

Thanks and toodle pip

Mazda 3 parts available for sale

Morrison782 — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:28:09 GMT

Sold my Mazda 3 Turbo I have a few parts for sale CS SRI w/heat shield $175 (works w/CX30 as well) New CS Front and rear braided brake lines 2.5t Corksport blue intake $150 axle back exhaust $300 CS Front Strut Bar $50 Paint flaking on brackets but seems just cosmetic. D2 Coilovers, has about 5k miles $400 Email me at morrisbrettandrew3@gmail.comif interested in anyWilling to ship

Abnormal Noise coming from steering column

tiburon — Wed, 06 May 2026 05:12:57 GMT

Hi,
I just bought a new 26 mazda 3 hb 6mt and at ~850 miles I noticed a unusually noise coming from the steering column inside the cabin when I would turn the wheel left or right and then return to center quickly. The noise only occurs while driving above ~10mph and besides the noise the car drives perfectly fine. I am unsure how to best describe it but I would say it sounds like a tensioned wire getting plucked. I have provided a short clip of the noise below. I'm wondering if anyone else knows what this noise could possibly be and if I should worry about it. I would rather not go back to my dealership to have them diagnose since they have already caused $1500+ worth of damage to my paint that I had to get paint corrected almost immediately after getting the vehicle and do not trust them to take care of my car in the same manner I would like.

Attached Files

mazda.mov (1.10 MB)

Mazda 3 2005 Manual non ABS AZ

Ryrerockman — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:44:31 GMT

I bought a used transmission online , differential ssems to be messed up. Got scammed so can't return it. Does anyone know of a reputable shop to work on MAZDa's transmissions or rebuilds them since I have the old one still.
Im in Mesa AZ ,been to 3 places no one wants to touch it they say parts are to hard to find. 345,000 on the car so they say its old. AAmco east mesa i might try. Rather a shop thatknows mazda's. I can get a remanufactured . labor to take out and put bavk in is the same. Gears shift perfectly no issues.The one shop says might shift forks have excessive play. I can here the axel on paaasenger side with the differntial when turning right. Axels are new. Thanks for any iideas i dont want to break apart dmage other things while driving normal speeds to work.

Torq spec

Yanlex — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:26:39 GMT

I would like to know the torq spec for the main rear oil seal housing,clutch pressure plate and flywheel

Car Upgrades

AlexB-Mazda — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:09:18 GMT

What are the best �bang-for-your-buck� upgrades for improved handling or reliability, rather than just aesthetics, for my Mazda 3 2015? Open to suggestions. Thanks.

2007 Mazda 3 transmission

prpack — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:22:00 GMT

Car has 225k on it. Runs great. 4 months ago I was driving about 40mph when the car shuttered very hard, the check engine light and transmission light came on and it wouldn�t shift past 3rd gear. It�s a 5 speed automatic. The transmission has been replaced and the TCM for the transmission was replaced and programmed by the dealer. HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM!
Any ideas what it could be? Way beyond frustrated 😣 🤬