Mazda 3 P2270: Symptoms, Causes, + Diagnosis

P2270 is a general DTC trouble code, which means it has the same meaning for the Mazda 3 as it would any other vehicle.  It means that the oxygen sensor located on bank 1 behind the catalytic converter is continuously sending voltage that indicates a lean air/fuel mixture.   This does not necessarily mean that … Read more

Mazda 3 P0453: Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor/Switch Too High

Your Mazda 3 utilizes an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system to migrate fuel vapors from the gas tank and fuel filler neck, and sends them to the engine to be burned off.  When the pressure inside of the fuel tank is too high, P0453, is thrown and the check engine light comes on. If the only … Read more

Mazda 3 P0452:  FUEL Tank Pressure Low Diagnosis

P0452 is a generic OBD II code that can occur in the Mazda 3.  It means that your 3’s EVAP system has detected low fuel tank pressure. The evaporative emissions control system (EVAP) sends fuel vapors from the fuel tank to the intake manifold to be burned off.  When the pressure in the system is … Read more

P2189 Mazda 3:  Lean Condition at Idle (Bank 2)

P2189 is a DTC code that can occur in your Mazda 3.  It indicates the air fuel mixture is too lean at idle, specifically in bank 2 (we’ll cover how to find bank 2 later).  Its is different from the much more common P0174, which indicates that bank 2 is lean at any engine speed. … Read more

Mazda 3 P2187:  Bank 1 A/F Mixture Too Lean”

P2187 is a DTC code that can occur in the Mazda 3.  It indicates the air fuel mixture is too lean at idle. The technical definition for P2187 “System Too Lean at Idle: Bank 1”.  The code is thrown after your 3’s oxygen sensor on Bank 1 (usually sensor 1) has detected that the air … Read more

Mazda 3 Overheating While Idle: Causes + Fix

There are a few reasons why your Mazda 3 would be overheating when idling.  The most common ones include a bad thermostat, water pump, electric fans, and low coolant level.  This guide is intended to help you find the cause of this overheating in the most efficient way possible.  So, let’s start with what’s easy … Read more

Mazda 3:  P0068 MAP/MAF Throttle Position Correlation

P0068 in the Mazda 3 is a generic OBD II code.  In layman’s terms, it means that the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) and/or MAF (mass airflow sensor) are providing the 3’s computer contradicting data compared to what it should be in relation to the throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor tells the computer how … Read more

Mazda 3: Engine Smoking Causes + Diagnosis

A smoking engine is a serious thing.  If your Mazda 3’s engine has smoke coming from it, it needs to be addressed right away.  It can be caused by quite a few different problems, none of which should be ignored. The most common reasons why your 3’s engine would smoke include overheating, burning oil, or … Read more

Mazda 3 Hesitating to Start (5 Most Common Reasons)

While it may not leave you stranded, a vehicle that hesitates to start can be very concerning. There are a few reasons why your Mazda 3 may not be starting, such as a bad starter, a bad battery, bad alternator, and more.   Mazda 3 Hesitates to Start: Causes Here are some of the most … Read more

Mazda 3:  Bad Sway Bar Links (Common Symptoms)

Sway bar links are responsible for connecting your Mazda 3’s sway bar to the chassis.  The job of a sway bar is to eliminate body roll by helping the tires keep better contact with the road, which improves the handling characteristics of your 3.  If you have a bad sway bar link, your vehicle will … Read more