Okay, so I just bought a 2006 3 I touring with 7500 miles on it. The dealer filled it up for me, since then I have put 124 miles on it and it seems as if I can just watch the gas gauge drop. I am a little less than 3/4 of a tank. Is that normal? It seems like that is a lot of gas used for only 124 miles. Some of it was highway and some was back roads.

Thanks for your help.

I am also looking at the flip keys. Do they make them for the 06 mazda 3? Where can I get it?

 

The fuel gauge is a little weird on these cars sometimes I notice it dropping down pretty frequently, and sometimes it goes very slowly. Also if you look at it they didn't put the same number of lines between the 1/4 tank marks. presumably that's because it's not around a perfect circle, but it doesn't seem like it would need to be that unequal. If this is just your first tank then I'd not worry about it, and instead drive a few tanks to see what your overall mileage is. If your mileage is crappy then then I would start to worry.

You can get the flip keys for the '04-'06 ('07's are still a little iffy). Basically you need a key portion of the flip key from a mazda 5, and the remote portion of the flip key from a mazda 6 (it sounds complicated, but it's not). Look at THIS thread for info. Jason (bagman1) at www.onlinemazdaparts.com has put together a kit (link inside that thread) that has the correct key/remotes already together for your convenience. If you provide your VIN, or key code (little tag on your keys when you got the car) then he'll cut the key for you. all you have to do is program the key and remote into the ECU when it comes in... directions in that thread also.

 

Ok, and I noticed others said that you have to keep your orig remote and use that one. Is that correct or does the new remote with flip key work if you program it? Is it hard to program?