Auto Transmission

[enowak]

For the past few months I have been having difficulties with my automatic transmission. My transmission often shifts erratically. Examples would be: When driving at cruising speeds the transmission often slams into another gear, or the transmission slams into another gear when I throttle from a rolling stop. When the aforementioned happens, it feels like somebody rear-ended my vehicle.

I've taken this into the dealer a few times, and of course, they could not recreate the problem! On my last trip to the dealer, I saw another guy bring in his 6s, and he is having the same problem.

Is anybody else going through what I am? Is there a known fix for this occurrence?

Thanks,
Eric
'03 Mazda 6s

[johnjay5]

i've only experienced that once while coming to a stop on the freeway, it didn't feel nice and it felt like a gear in my tranny blew! i didn't know this was another problem Mazda has.. i wish i could go back and get a civic :(

[Subghetto]

i wish i could go back and get a civic :(
(flame2)DIE!!!!!

[enowak]

johnjay5

I am not trying to curse you, but I am guessing that you might have a few more transmission problems. I started off with one strange experience like you, then months later I had more rough shifts.

I do not blame you for the Civic comment, because this has not been my only problem. The three recalls, the two check engine lights, the odd transmission problems, and the lack luster performance is getting annoying… I only have 5,500 miles!

[MidnightDreamer]

I drive the auto as well... 47 000kms and not a single problem... cept the goddam tires! We lost 2 over a period of 2 months... there's a lot of construction where i live... both cases the puncture was too close to the side so we ended up buying new ones... and damn those tires are expensive... especially since we got the GT package with 16" wheels...

[johnjay5]

sorry didn't mean it that way, but i just can't seem to enjoy this car anymore other than it's looks. i don't know cars aren't made to last forever.. that's why im parting her out so i can get my subaru soon..

[MidnightDreamer]

LOL... I'd ditch my lady for a WRX anyday.... amen lol. Yea... the only thing this car really lacks in is engine power... If it had like 150hp i'd be totally happy with the car.

[Da 6]

I get that in my 6...but also got it in my neon as well...won't go back to a auto neon...ever(blah) but seriously....I get those jerking shifts on a cold tranny only or when redlining in manumatic mode. I tried gas shift gas and gas and shift with same results of the jerk as if I was doing N bombs or something. No way in hell would I do N bombs on a brand new car with 1k miles on it. other than that I like the power it has.....as stated before I came form a auto neon. Kinda like that VW comercial with the low end torque for passing.....cept I don't pass the cops ;)

[ZG77_OzZ]

Eric I had the same problem they had to replace the tranny




For the past few months I have been having difficulties with my automatic transmission. My transmission often shifts erratically. Examples would be: When driving at cruising speeds the transmission often slams into another gear, or the transmission slams into another gear when I throttle from a rolling stop. When the aforementioned happens, it feels like somebody rear-ended my vehicle.

I've taken this into the dealer a few times, and of course, they could not recreate the problem! On my last trip to the dealer, I saw another guy bring in his 6s, and he is having the same problem.

Is anybody else going through what I am? Is there a known fix for this occurrence?

Thanks,
Eric
'03 Mazda 6s

[enowak]

I left my 6 with my dealer on Monday, and he is driving it home tonight & to work tomorrow. I am guessing that he will call me tomorrow and tell me that he could not replicate the problem… hopefully after continual complaints they will replace the transmission? Yeah right!

Also, I am glad (for my sake, not yours) to hear that I am not the only person having problems. It was hard to describe what was going on, but as Da 6 stated, it feels like a harsh neutral drop!

Eric

[A10ZA03]

this is one of those things that everyone complained about on the **********... basically your talking about the downshift from 2 to 1 am i correct? and it jerks? it's something that's come up but as far as i know there wasn't anything that could be done about it...

the jerk when you hit the gas... it's because you slowed down enough to where the the car was shifting from 2 to 1 but then hit the accelerator at the same time making the jerk that much worse... if you come to a complete stop i'm sure you'll still feel the jerk but it wouldn't be as bad...

now as for the jerk in general.. i along with a few other members have figured out a little work around.. it has to do with how you hit the brakes... if your harder on your brakes and generally come to a quick stop you're going to keep feeling this jerk... if slow down a little earlier so you're a little easier on the brakes... you won't feel the jerk... this is just something we happened to noticed happens... i'm not saying it's going to work for everyone but at least i don't get the rear ended effect anymore... basically i've found that most transmission related issues people complain about i've gotten used to it and i changed my driving habits to compensate for it...

please don't even start about the throttle lag... i'm just going to say it once... get a feel for you car and stop driving it like you did your last car.. no two cars are alike.. which means you'll have to change the way you drive... in the long run.. once you do this you'll have a much better driving experience... everyone always tries to hop in a new car and drive it like they drive their previous car... sorry it doesn't work that way... you gotta figure out the quirks...

BTW... honda transmissions aren't exactly the greatest either... my 99 prelude died after 2 years... and honda service couldn't figure out what the hell was wrong with it so they wouldn't do a damn thing about it... the manumode on that one was everything the 6 drivers wanted.. no throttle lag, no jerking... which was great when you woudl race with it... but at the same time my transmission wasn't exactly smart either... like if you were moving and you shifted from auto to stick or vice versa your whole car would feel like a buck bronco... it didn't know what gear it was supposed to be in... in the end after i got rid of that car i came to find out that because it didn't have the safety measures the 6 tranny does is why it ended up dying so quickly... both of my friends who kept the car ended up having to have theirs replaced...

[Da 6]

after (lurk) another post.......just realized....the motor mounts are really soft and hopefully they come out with aftermarket mounts or inserts. That should prevent the engine and tranny from moving sooo much and hopefully cut the lag in half.

[enowak]

I do not think that a person has to change their driving habits due to shoddy craftsmanship or lousy engineering from Mazda. This is my 17th vehicle. 15 of the 17 vehicles have been auto, and I have never had a problem like this. I do not beat on my vehicles (except for my track vehicle), nor am I an inexperienced driver.

Eric

[A10ZA03]

ok tell me this... did you actually test drive the car or did you take it for a spin around the block?? did you test drive the transmission you actually wanted? because i did and i noticed these things within the first 5 mins of my test drive...

so you're saying that if i get out of one ATX and hop into another i should just be able to drive exactly the same way... that i shouldn't have to change my driving habits when my husband borrows my mazda and i have to drive my dad's BMW? what about my expedition? does the same thing work for MTX? so that if i can drive my husband's del sol, then that means i should be able to hop in my dad's 64 stingray and drive the car the exact same way?

[funnylittlman]

You get to drive a lot of cars :( I'm jealous! :D

[enowak]

First of all, if you read my post properly, I stated "I do not think that a person has to change their driving habits due to shoddy craftsmanship or lousy engineering from Mazda." I did not state that a person should have to change their driving habits due to the make & model of a vehicle. Example: I would not take an Isuzu Trooper around a tight curve at 50mph, because that pig would tip!

When I was Mazda 6 shopping I drove three vehicles with the automatic transmission and V6 setup; all vehicles shifted smoothly and accurately. Also, I took my car home for the night to see if I liked it before I signed the papers. In addition, when I first drove my vehicle it had 6 miles, this lousy shifting did not occur until 1,125 miles.

Any other questions?

[A10ZA03]

look there's no need for the attitude.. i read your post properly and that's YOUR personal opinion which i didn't happen to agree with, which is why i posted my opinion.. last i checked it was still okay to disagree.. at least i was trying to be helpful and post up something YOU can do about it since it usually takes awhile to motivate a manufacturer to do something about it... also your the one who brought up how many vehicles you've driven.. which is why i asked the questions i asked... because yeah the type of car your driving makes a difference and being that i'm younger, pretty much all i'm used to drive were similar cars, sedans, until my last one before the 6... you made a point and i wasn't clear on it... so i asked the questions i asked to get clarification of what you meant...

i don't think it matters how many other cars you test drive to compare to unless they all have the same setup... it doesn't matter if they were all atx.. what matters is if they were the same kind of atx... the tiptronic (aka sequential shifter, sport shift, manumatic, etc..) type... it's no longer a true atx nor is it an mtx... i don't remember any others that were similar in class when i shopped for mine... i got mine feb 2003... but maybe you had others to compare to... since i only shopped for tiptronic cars my only options tended to be 4cyl sports cars/coupes so i didn't really have much to compare v6 to (not like it should really matter that much, according to a few mazda6 members they have the same issue in the 4cyl)...

maybe the "lousy shifting" was always there from the beginning and you just never noticed it... i test drove the 6 5 times, all different cars because it was in 5 different places (the same specs though, i was merely deciding which dealership i liked better since i go back there for certain servicing) they all had the same problem... sometimes we get excited about getting a new car and don't realize certain quirks until later... it has happened to me in the 6... this problem that you're having just wasn't one of them...

[BlueMonsta]

First of all, if you read my post properly, I stated "I do not think that a person has to change their driving habits due to shoddy craftsmanship or lousy engineering from Mazda." I did not state that a person should have to change their driving habits due to the make & model of a vehicle. Example: I would not take an Isuzu Trooper around a tight curve at 50mph, because that pig would tip!

When I was Mazda 6 shopping I drove three vehicles with the automatic transmission and V6 setup; all vehicles shifted smoothly and accurately. Also, I took my car home for the night to see if I liked it before I signed the papers. In addition, when I first drove my vehicle it had 6 miles, this lousy shifting did not occur until 1,125 miles.

Any other questions?

no questions! lol...

my temp. work around for you is, to back off the gas until the gear change is complete in manual mode. That brake thing the other gear mentioned sees utterly retarded! no offense. if ur having issues with ur tranny while braking. shift it to neutral when u stop. I have to do this on a hot day not a cold though (DUN ASK WHY I DUNNO). On MY tranny the settings are (D , S , L) .
If im on L when braking, the gear grinds when I come to a stop. I just shift to to S as it the speed drops below 40 km/h. (And no I dun use L on a daily basis, only when im rushing to work, lol)

cause in my car, it only happens from shifting 1 to 2, so I back off the gas and once i the change is complete i apply pressure to the gas pedal again.

[Da 6]

look there's no need for the attitude.. i read your post properly and that's YOUR personal opinion which i didn't happen to agree with, which is why i posted my opinion.. last i checked it was still okay to disagree.. at least i was trying to be helpful and post up something YOU can do about it since it usually takes awhile to motivate a manufacturer to do something about it... also your the one who brought up how many vehicles you've driven.. which is why i asked the questions i asked... because yeah the type of car your driving makes a difference and being that i'm younger, pretty much all i'm used to drive were similar cars, sedans, until my last one before the 6... you made a point and i wasn't clear on it... so i asked the questions i asked to get clarification of what you meant...

i don't think it matters how many other cars you test drive to compare to unless they all have the same setup... it doesn't matter if they were all atx.. what matters is if they were the same kind of atx... the tiptronic (aka sequential shifter, sport shift, manumatic, etc..) type... it's no longer a true atx nor is it an mtx... i don't remember any others that were similar in class when i shopped for mine... i got mine feb 2003... but maybe you had others to compare to... since i only shopped for tiptronic cars my only options tended to be 4cyl sports cars/coupes so i didn't really have much to compare v6 to (not like it should really matter that much, according to a few mazda6 members they have the same issue in the 4cyl)...

maybe the "lousy shifting" was always there from the beginning and you just never noticed it... i test drove the 6 5 times, all different cars because it was in 5 different places (the same specs though, i was merely deciding which dealership i liked better since i go back there for certain servicing) they all had the same problem... sometimes we get excited about getting a new car and don't realize certain quirks until later... it has happened to me in the 6... this problem that you're having just wasn't one of them... as for build quality I still say it is good even with the recalls compared to oter vehicles i had the pleasure or pain of driving. Had a noen and hit 1 pothole and it needed an alignment ASAP where as my 6 was hit by a similar model as a UPS truck and still drives in a straigh line! my only disagreement is why is it a sport auto if you shift.......then gas then shift.........and gas to prevent it from shifting like it does? Has anyone found the grounding kit or DIY MM inserts minimizing or eliminating this problem?




I just shift to to S as it the speed drops below 40 km/h. (And no I dun use L on a daily basis, only when im rushing to work, lol)

Ok can someone explain this one to me cause im lost like richard simmons in compton (smoke)

[enowak]

I can assure you that I am not trying to be rude or crabby to others on this site. I truly appreciate everybody’s stories and advice.

I am almost certain that my 6 has a defect. I could be overreacting, but from my experience with automobiles, things usually get worse... cars just do not fix themselves (insert “Night Rider” joke here).

[A10ZA03]

okie maybe i took it wrong since i'm a little overly sensitive right now... my husband is deploying to the sandbox and i'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled this week... (sad1) (help)

i assume you can duplicate this problem yourself... so maybe you should see if you can take the tech for a drive... most of the time if i notice something funny my passengers can hear it or feel it too.. like when i red lined... OOPS... everyone felt that jerk...

[Da 6]

okie maybe i took it wrong since i'm a little overly sensitive right now... my husband is deploying to the sandbox and i'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled this week... (sad1) (help) Ok for that note....think for the better on that one...my number in line to go somewhere is comming as well...


i assume you can duplicate this problem yourself... so maybe you should see if you can take the tech for a drive... most of the time if i notice something funny my passengers can hear it or feel it too.. like when i red lined... OOPS... everyone felt that jerk... yeah thats a jerk that is a fun kinda jerk kinda like putting around in 1st gear and at 4-5k punch it and watch everyone gasp for air (poke) vvt is nice when it awakens...makes me wonder what it would be line with a stick.

[mcanders12]

undefined
I also have a 2003 Mazda 6 and am having the same problems. On mine it is especially noticable when shifting from first to second both in the auto mode and in the sportronic mode. The dealership says there is nothing wrong, but anyone with common sense would know that there is definitlely a problem.
For the past few months I have been having difficulties with my automatic transmission. My transmission often shifts erratically. Examples would be: When driving at cruising speeds the transmission often slams into another gear, or the transmission slams into another gear when I throttle from a rolling stop. When the aforementioned happens, it feels like somebody rear-ended my vehicle.

I've taken this into the dealer a few times, and of course, they could not recreate the problem! On my last trip to the dealer, I saw another guy bring in his 6s, and he is having the same problem.

Is anybody else going through what I am? Is there a known fix for this occurrence?

Thanks,
Eric
'03 Mazda 6s

[Mikey444]

(flame2)DIE!!!!!
LMAO I concur!!! If I could, i would by an H1 Hummer and ram every parked civic I see on the street.

[Mikey444]

I drive the auto as well... 47 000kms and not a single problem... cept the goddam tires! We lost 2 over a period of 2 months... there's a lot of construction where i live... both cases the puncture was too close to the side so we ended up buying new ones... and damn those tires are expensive... especially since we got the GT package with 16" wheels...

The GT comes with 17" inch wheels, how come you got 16". Even the 4 cyl. GT has 17" you dont even need the GFX package to have it as long as it's a GT.

[Mikey444]

no questions! lol...

my temp. work around for you is, to back off the gas until the gear change is complete in manual mode.
You should not what so ever have to do that. If you do, your car is retarded

[Da 6]

if I let off te gas the car jerks into te shift...git it a lil more gas as you are about to shift. No dealership wants to updaye WDS or the pcms for some odd reason. I had a cavilier as a rental while my car was in the shop and it shifted perfectly WTF!!! I never use auto unless i'm in 4th and not accelerating anymore.

[Mikey444]

Today, I've been reading a lot of Mazda Bashing threads. Maybe we should all go to Mazda USA and Mazda Canada headquarters and hold all the CEO's hostage until Mazda Tokyo complies with our demands to fix all the problems:D Unfortunately, that would never be possible(sad1)

[Mikey444]

BTW, when I test drove the Mazda 6 V6 in Auto just for fun and floored it on the highway, the tranny made a very weird and abnormal squealing sound. the vehicle had 5000 kilometers on it. And the ride totally sucked, the tranny hesitates soo damn much off the line, it's got nothing.

[crossbow]

Mazda did fix the problems. (At least with the bucking or "kickdown). Next time your at your dealership ask for the TCM update. (Transmission control module). There is one available for the 6s which adjusts the shift points, and reduces the kickdown/jolt effect.

Further more mazda themselves was heavily disappointed with the 5sp auto, which is why its being thrown out the window and replaced in 05 with a new 6s ATX that gets better mileage then the 5s MTX. (Supposedly its MUCH faster as well, and VERY strong).

[seanmcsean]

this thread makes me very happy that I have a 5 speed

[Da 6]

yeah I finally heard that hi revving squeak when you shift yeaterday when necessity was running. I tried browns and rosenthal for update...The rental had way better shifts and it ws a damn cavalier!. I'm tempted to go back to rosenthal a 2nd time since I took my modded car there and didn't get much flack as browns and I need to find out if they installed the mazda 6 remote start on any vehicles yet.

[Mikey444]

I know this is completely off topic but do some of you find the rear disc barke of the Mazda 6 a lil small?

[Da 6]

a lil bit off topic? both are 11 inches but the front ones are a lil thicker and vented.

[Garfinkle]

The GT comes with 17" inch wheels, how come you got 16". Even the 4 cyl. GT has 17" you dont even need the GFX package to have it as long as it's a GT.

Maybe it's different in western Canada. I think in the US the base model comes with 16".

[enowak]

Since my last post, I found out that Mazda calls the shifting problem "shift shock". I asked my dealer if they named it after me, because I almost went into shock when I heard the tranny SLAM!! :)

Back in July, I found out that this is a common problem on their minivan, and they were able to fix it.

crossbow, Do you happen to know how recent the TCM update is? I was had my car in for service during July, and I did not have any luck then!

[crossbow]

crossbow, Do you happen to know how recent the TCM update is? I was had my car in for service during July, and I did not have any luck then!
You have to specifically request for a TCM update. Most dealerships won't do it automatically.

Next time you go in, tell them that mazdausa said there was a TCM update to fix your shift shock problem, and if they had it available. They should hook up your computer, and apply all the updates they have available.

If they don't, you may have to visit another dealership to get the update.

[Garfinkle]

I've had my V6 auto for over four months now and I have not experienced any of the shift problems that you guys are talking about. Whatever the problem was it doesn't seem to exist with my car so I guess they have fixed it. Maybe 2003's only?

[enowak]

Thanks for the info. I always ask for the update when I stop in, but I have not been into the dealership lately.



You have to specifically request for a TCM update. Most dealerships won't do it automatically.

Next time you go in, tell them that mazdausa said there was a TCM update to fix your shift shock problem, and if they had it available. They should hook up your computer, and apply all the updates they have available.

If they don't, you may have to visit another dealership to get the update.

[Da 6]

yeah I did but they said they ran a backround and no recalls were needed? I guess I have to be direct and say WDS 32_2(hi)

[crossbow]

The PCM updates are seperate from the TCM updates. Latest WDS version is 32_4...but many dealers won't have that. (It seems to be a difficult task for some dealers to maintain their latest software versions)

[Da 6]

What! next you will be telling me there is a seperate computer for the brakes





don't reply to that...lol

Guess I ll ask for both(2thumbs)

P.S. did they figure out if the gauses wer whats needed to see the gear shift indicator in both manual and auto mode?

[mcanders12]

Thanks for the info. I always ask for the update when I stop in, but I have not been into the dealership lately.


I also have been having problems with Shift Shock in my 2003 Mazda 6. It shifts erratically intermittently and also does the hard shift between 1st and 2nd gears during warm up especially but sometimes in other gears also. In using the sportronic mode, it always does it between 1st and 2nd. I'm taking my car in again tomorrow. I also wrote Madza USA but got a nebulous response from them.

[crossbow]

There is an MRI for the shift-shock issue.
http://forum.mazda6tech.com/viewtopic.php?t=1355

2003 MAZDA6 00000000 ZZZZZZZZ
2004 MAZDA6 00000000 ZZZZZZZZ

With engine in the fully warm condition, and during light throttle acceleration, 1-2 shift shock may be felt at certain times. Also, as 4-3 downshift shock maybe experienced during braking conditions. A revised TCM calibration is available to improve this concern.

1. Using WDS B30 or later software, reprogram the TCM to the latest calibration. Filename
SW-AJ58TG000

TCM cal. P/N
AJ58-G

2. Remember to erase all DTC's after reprogramming procedure.
3. Road test vehicle to relearn KAM and verify no MIL illumination occurs

Call your dealer and verify with a service advisor or manager, that they have AT LEAST WDS version B30. If they don't, your visit will be futile. If your normal dealer is that behind, I'd find another (they should be at B32_4)

[Da 6]

ok got another one...what if on manual mode 3-4 shift you get to 4th but someone cuts you off and you let off gas and hit brakes for a slight 6-8 mph loss should the tranny leave 4th and slam into hi revving 3rd?

[crossbow]

The TCM update addresses multiple shift points in the ATX. It may solve more issues then the shift shock. If you haven't gotten it yet, I'd recommend you do so.

[Da 6]

The TCM update addresses multiple shift points in the ATX. It may solve more issues then the shift shock. If you haven't gotten it yet, I'd recommend you do so. *Looking for the "Blue Team" service card* i'll make a tomorow apt if ther are openings....I hate pulling the car apart UGH

[Mikey444]

does the computer update concern the 2.3 liter auto tranny Mazda 3 GT as well, since it's the same engine, I dont know, is the tranny the same as well?