![]() ![]() Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at or 40. Slightly longer than the Honda Civic, the Proteg has a 102.8-inch wheelbase and measures 175.3 inches long overall. It still looks and feels fresh but has been around long enough for buyers to expect a discount, making an appealing car even more so. The Mazda3 went on sale in December 2003, as a 2004 model, and as the replacement for the Protege. Handling is excellent, much more neutral than most front-wheel-drive cars. It’s most in its element, though, on winding roads, where you can give the independent suspension a workout. The Mazda3 s is certainly happy in the city, and it gives a very good ride on the highway, even on rough pavement. On the fourth and highest speed, you’ll reach for the stereo volume button. One complaint: On the second speed, the fan for the air conditioning is loud. Rear-seat room is about average for a car this size, as is trunk space. The Mazda3 s feels very familiar, very quickly. The front cloth-covered bucket seats are pretty comfortable, and the gearshift lever is in just the right place. Inside, the instruments are nicely placed, but I’m not a fan of the sound-system layout, which revolves around a huge on-off/volume button. Mileage with the five-speed manual is an EPA-rated 26 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway. That’s with the five-speed manual transmission a five-speed automatic adds $950. Options were a power sunroof and a six-disc CD changer, offered as a $890 package. The hatchback model gets only the 2.3.īase price of the test car, a Touring model, was $17,615, and that buys a lot of standard equipment, such as side and side-curtain air bags, P205/50R-17 radials on alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo with CD player and six speakers, cruise control, disc brakes with anti-lock, keyless entry, air conditioning and power locks, mirrors and windows. The base Mazda3 i has a 2.0-liter, 150-horsepower four-cylinder, while the sportier Mazda3 s has a 2.3-liter engine. The Mazda3 comes as a regular four-door sedan, such as the test car, or as a four-door hatchback. Its 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine has 160 horsepower, 37 fewer than the Civic Si’s 2.0-liter engine, but the difference doesn’t feel that big, likely due in part to the Mazda’s 11 extra foot-pounds of torque. Though the engine and transmission aren’t quite as refined as the new Honda Civic Si - which, incidentally, only comes as a two-door coupe - the Mazda3 s sedan is at least as much fun to drive, and it has four doors. Both cars offer genuinely good value and, when outfitted in their sportier trim, serve up a fun-to-drive factor that rivals German cars.Ĭase in point: The 2006 Mazda3 s. Under no circumstances use pneumatic or electric screwdrivers to screw in and tighten the wheel bolts.They don’t get the attention - or the sales - of comparable models from Toyota and Honda, but don’t overlook the Mazda3 and its bigger brother, the Mazda6.Check all wheel bolts or lug nuts in the same sequence and retighten to the prescribed tightening torque if necessary. ![]() Tighten the wheel bolts or lug nuts to the specified tightening toque in a crosswise sequence using a calibrated torque wrench.Screw in the wheel bolts or lug nuts and evenly tighten by hand in a crosswise sequence in order to centre the wheel rim.The wheel rim must rest uniformly against the brake disc.Attention! Do not apply oil or grease to wheel studs or bolts. Clean wheel bolts or nuts and check threads for damage, renew if necessary.Apply anti-seize paste on the wheel centring in the wheel rim.Check brake disc retaining bolt for tight fit.According to the ProfessCars estimation this Mazda would accelerate 0-60 mph in 9 sec, 0-100 km/h in 9.5 sec and quarter mile time is 17 sec. Remove dirt, grease residues and corrosion from rim and wheel hub contact surfaces. 5) in 2003, the model with 5-door hatchback body and Line-4 1991 cm3 / 121.6 cui, 97 kW / 132 PS / 130 hp (SAE net) of power, 183 Nm / 135 lb-ft of torque, 5-speed manual powertrain for North America.Do not jump or use your foot on the breaker bar. Always release the wheel lockable nuts or bolts by hand (use a breaker bar) and NOT by using an impact drill. ![]() Never get under the vehicle when it is resting only on the jack. Always block the opposite wheel from the one you are working on with two wheel chokes on both side of the wheel to prevent the car from rolling and fall of the jack while you're working on it. When lifting your vehicle, make sure you use the proper equipment and that you only lift the vehicle from the jacking points, one wheel at the time. When removing and installing a wheel on your vehicle, always follow these generic instructions, but for more information please refer to your owner's manual. 3 to 14, and this number is pretty low for diesel engine and 2006 MAZDA MPV. Remove or Install Front or Rear Wheel - Generic Instructions 2003 Mazda Protege Mazdaspeed 2001-03 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS Mazda F25M-R. ![]()
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