Hello all,

I recently bought my first Mazda, a 2011 3i Touring auto w/ moonroof and Bose. It currently has 43k on it, and it's a great little car so far.

Are there any tips and or tricks anyone would like to share?

There are a couple of minor annoyances that I'll be addressing at some point...
1) The dealer installed new pads and rotors all around, and I keep getting some squeal from the rear when about mid-pedal. I had it back to the dealer for them to check it out, and they said everything looked good - they cleaned and greased everything. It stopped for about a day and has returned.

2) They installed new Goodyear Eagle tires all around. I notice a slight vibration in the wheel above 60-65 MPH, and it pulls very slightly to the right, as well as the steering wheel being slightly off center to the left. The dealer re-aligned it, but it didn't make a difference.

 

Did they balance the wheels? If a tire is out of balance it could induce vibration and pulling. If there is a slight pull to the right it could be caused by the crowning of the road.
Wheel alignment is an art, even though they use high tech equipment. I always tell them that I want the steering wheel to be straight. usually my guys get it right the second time.

 

I would assume they balanced them when the new tires were installed.

I'll try getting them to do an alignment again, and state that I want the steering wheel straight when they do it.

 

Don't assume. Just look how assume is spelled: ***-u-me.

Even if they were balanced after mounting, have them check the balnce again. Tires can go out of balance rather quick. We used to not balance new tires until they presumably were seated, after about 150 miles or so. There is only friction fit between the tire and the rim. When you brake the tire can move ever so slightly in relation to the rim.