Dear Forum users,
Is there anyone out there who can give me detailed instructions on how to change bulbs on 2011 mark 3 MX5? It appeared to me that mazda could not have made it more difficult if they tried. It is an absolute nightmare, and am wondering in the absence of a Haynes Manual for this model whether anyone could suggest where I can (car handbook is useless!) find some simplistic guide to brighten my darkness!
RLS
Bristol.
Which bulb?
I have a two post ramp and changed another members headlight bulb and even on the ramp it was a hassle as you have to remove the wheel arch protector that will not come completly off as it is held on by the suspension compnents. Getting into it was just horid even on a ramp.
Many thanks. Mainly it is all the front bulbs where various components have to be moved to get access. I’am only surprised that the engine doesn’t have to be removed! Perhaps it is to give main agents greater profits!
Thanks again.
RLS,
Bristol
It really is very easy if you remove the front bumper first but that seems a little crazy.
Thanks again. I am 71 years old and used to British motorcycles where everything was not buried under acres of plastic, so obviously I can only hope that the bulbs are long life! There was an economics editor of the Daily Telegraph named Eric Hutber who said that: “Improvement can mean deterioration” which became known as ‘Hutber’s Law’ I fondly remember grease nipples which used to ensure the longevity of mechanical components. Not anymore, they are designed to fail the day after any guarantee expire. So it looks as though I shall be visiting my mazda dealer when darkness falls!
RLS,
Bristol.
Does your local area organise tech days? By doing this an area can build up expertise and a self help network for when these troublesome jobs that should be straightforward need doing. Bulb longevity seems to be much improved these days.
On my MK4 the headlights are LED and are supposed to last the life of the car!
I think it’s a sign of the proverbial times. I had the same problem when I wanted to upgrade the somewhat dim headlight bulbs on my Mercedes SLK. Had to remove road wheels and wheel arch liner, and even then it was a pig of a job!
There’s ‘progress’ for you!
Barry
On the credit side, the oldies among us will remember Mazda`s advertising " Mazda lamps stay brighter longer "
Totally not correct, you can remove the whole liner without removing the shock, the official Mazda way yes, but it can be pulled around it very easily and equally the same putting it back on. The toughest bit is removing all the arch liner clips, if they are stuck. I have removed mine more times than I care to remember (without the need to remove any suspension components.
I will agree though it is a pain of a job that should be far easier.
