Got my first Mazda today! Manual issues, please read. - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 Forum / Mazda Atenza Forum

brownsound01 · 11-11-2012, 03:39 AM

Hi everyone,

After driving Toyotas and Hondas (most recently a 2000 Accord), I just got a manual 2004 Mazda Atenza 2.3L (Hatch) today. The car looks fantastic and is in good condition, however I couldn't help but notice that the manual settings, i.e. clutch and transmission, are quite different to the other manual cars I've driven:

The friction point is far higher than any other car, almost at the top of the clutch. I've formed a habit of completely depressing the clutch when shifting, so this has resulted in slow and sometimes jerky shifts. I suppose this could be negated by a "shallow" press and thus fast shifts.
When in neutral, the accelerator becomes non-sensitive, i.e. it does not pick up revs easily. I have to almost floor it to get to 3-4k revs in order to rev match. This has made down shifting rather tedious. However I guess I'll get used to it soon.

I actually really like this car, it's just different from anything else I've driven before. Are the things I've mentioned above normal? Do you guys have any tips for me to make my driving life a bit easier?
Alternatively - I think this suggests that the clutch is dying? I've never driven a Mazda before so I don't know if the high friction point is normal. If it's dying, both the problems above will be resolved with a new clutch. My wallet will hate me though.

Thanks for all your help

Mr.Smoke · 11-11-2012, 08:46 AM

Welcome to the club!!

In regards to the high engagement point. The 2.3 i test drove last year also had a very strange feel to the clutch but the engagement point on that one was basically right at the floor.

On my V6 the engagement point is just below the 1/2 way point of clutch pedal travel. It took me some time to get used to it.

May i ask why you rev match while downshifting? You know it isnt not needed to do that right?

Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide.com Free App

Emew · 11-11-2012, 09:31 AM

On the speed 6 the engagement point on mine is like 2 inches from fully released, if 0% is the floor this is 85%. I know it's a speed but just a reference for you when it comes to engagement point.

Sent from my dial up phone

prdracing · 11-11-2012, 11:50 AM

I don't know for sure about the regular 6s, but I know the clutch pedal distance from the floor and engagement point are both adjustable. I adjusted mine and it's so much smoother to drive now.

brownsound01 · 11-11-2012, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the fast replies. My friend had the same problem on his Atenza and found out that the clutch was near the end of its useful life. He got it adjusted and the clutch started slipping immediately. I don't know if that's an isolated event or if it'll happen to me too, so I'm a bit apprehensive towards getting the clutch adjusted.

brownsound01 · 11-12-2012, 12:38 AM

Took my car to the Mazda dealer after I posted. They said the clutch is definitely dying. It started slipping a bit too, so a new clutch is in order.

MrSmoke - I rev match when I downshift (double clutch) because it's better for the engine / transmission. It's hard to do it with this car without flooring it though.

Mr.Smoke · 11-12-2012, 06:08 AM

Rev matching isnt needed. If you wish to do so then go right ahead but its simply not needed.

Double clutching is totally different from rev matching and is also something which you dont need to do.

Sorry to hear the clutch is going but sounds like a good time to upgrade the clutch & flywheel.

Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide.com Free App

11-11-2012, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
brownsound01 Learners License Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Got my first Mazda today! Manual issues, please read. Hi everyone, After driving Toyotas and Hondas (most recently a 2000 Accord), I just got a manual 2004 Mazda Atenza 2.3L (Hatch) today. The car looks fantastic and is in good condition, however I couldn't help but notice that the manual settings, i.e. clutch and transmission, are quite different to the other manual cars I've driven: The friction point is far higher than any other car, almost at the top of the clutch. I've formed a habit of completely depressing the clutch when shifting, so this has resulted in slow and sometimes jerky shifts. I suppose this could be negated by a "shallow" press and thus fast shifts. When in neutral, the accelerator becomes non-sensitive, i.e. it does not pick up revs easily. I have to almost floor it to get to 3-4k revs in order to rev match. This has made down shifting rather tedious. However I guess I'll get used to it soon. I actually really like this car, it's just different from anything else I've driven before. Are the things I've mentioned above normal? Do you guys have any tips for me to make my driving life a bit easier? Alternatively - I think this suggests that the clutch is dying? I've never driven a Mazda before so I don't know if the high friction point is normal. If it's dying, both the problems above will be resolved with a new clutch. My wallet will hate me though. Thanks for all your help Last edited by brownsound01; 11-11-2012 at 05:01 AM.

11-11-2012, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mr.Smoke Smoke Screen Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kitchener, ON Canada Posts: 5,404 Thanks: 684 Thanked 789 Times in 674 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 138 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s) Quoted: 684 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Welcome to the club!! In regards to the high engagement point. The 2.3 i test drove last year also had a very strange feel to the clutch but the engagement point on that one was basically right at the floor. On my V6 the engagement point is just below the 1/2 way point of clutch pedal travel. It took me some time to get used to it. May i ask why you rev match while downshifting? You know it isnt not needed to do that right? Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide.com Free App __________________ Smoke's Build --- Ontario Meet Thread --- Ontario Members Thread --- VOTE FOR 6OTM

11-11-2012, 09:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Emew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: TC, MI Posts: 581 Thanks: 137 Thanked 96 Times in 81 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 53 Post(s) iTrader: 1 reviews	On the speed 6 the engagement point on mine is like 2 inches from fully released, if 0% is the floor this is 85%. I know it's a speed but just a reference for you when it comes to engagement point. Sent from my dial up phone __________________ '07 Speed6 Titanium Grey: SURE SRI+TIP in Designer White, CX-7 OEM Antenna, ProSport Boost Gauge, Block8Head's Custom MS6 Pod, Cobb AP, Denso ITV22 1SC Plugs, TWM Short Shifter, Stage 2 Clutch, SURE Shortcut+Countershift Weight, JBR EGR Delete, Euro LED tail lights, AutoTech Fuel Pump Internals, JBR RMM, M2 DP. (Pending Installation) JBR Shifter Bushings, Spring Flow Tune Stage 2.

11-11-2012, 11:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
prdracing Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 240 Thanks: 32 Thanked 34 Times in 32 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 41 Post(s) iTrader: 1 reviews	I don't know for sure about the regular 6s, but I know the clutch pedal distance from the floor and engagement point are both adjustable. I adjusted mine and it's so much smoother to drive now. __________________ 2006 Velocity Red Mica MS6 #06475 1994 Probe GT http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701300497

11-12-2012, 06:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mr.Smoke Smoke Screen Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kitchener, ON Canada Posts: 5,404 Thanks: 684 Thanked 789 Times in 674 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 138 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s) Quoted: 684 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Rev matching isnt needed. If you wish to do so then go right ahead but its simply not needed. Double clutching is totally different from rev matching and is also something which you dont need to do. Sorry to hear the clutch is going but sounds like a good time to upgrade the clutch & flywheel. Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide.com Free App __________________ Smoke's Build --- Ontario Meet Thread --- Ontario Members Thread --- VOTE FOR 6OTM Last edited by Mr.Smoke; 11-12-2012 at 06:16 AM.

11-11-2012, 12:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
brownsound01 Learners License Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for the fast replies. My friend had the same problem on his Atenza and found out that the clutch was near the end of its useful life. He got it adjusted and the clutch started slipping immediately. I don't know if that's an isolated event or if it'll happen to me too, so I'm a bit apprehensive towards getting the clutch adjusted.

11-12-2012, 12:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
brownsound01 Learners License Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Took my car to the Mazda dealer after I posted. They said the clutch is definitely dying. It started slipping a bit too, so a new clutch is in order. MrSmoke - I rev match when I downshift (double clutch) because it's better for the engine / transmission. It's hard to do it with this car without flooring it though.

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