2014 Mazda 3

[karlkalabaw]

Rim/Tire spec guide
(Without any need for camber & fender roll):
Ideal width: 8.0"
Max width: 8.5"
Safe MINIMUM Offset: et45 up
Ideal dia: 18" or 19"
Tires: 215-225/45/18
225/40/19
235-245/35/19

Rotas are of great value. They have lightweight rims of quality finish & toughness that are tested on our roads. Key is finding them with the proper fitment.

question please - newbie here, i bought mags which are 114 18 x 8.5JJ offset 40 on 225/45/18 tires, will this a problem for the Mazda 3, the offset differential will translate into risks for rubbing? thanks a lot in advance sir

[travajante]

question please - newbie here, i bought mags which are 114 18 x 8.5JJ offset 40 on 225/45/18 tires, will this a problem for the Mazda 3, the offset differential will translate into risks for rubbing? thanks a lot in advance sir

Stock height, you'll be fine.
Should you drop, you might need rear camber arms/front camber bolts/rear fender roll & slight tire stretch w/ 225/40/18s.

[karlkalabaw]

Stock height, you'll be fine.
Should you drop, you might need rear camber arms/front camber bolts/rear fender roll & slight tire stretch w/ 225/40/18s.

aha, whew! thanks a lot no dropping for me

[Hot Hatch]

Do you load fully? I'm on 245/35/19s on 8.5 et45 w/ no worries. My rears(33mm drop vs 35mm Tein) are even a tad lower in springrate(softer) than stock & TEINs. And your external tire diameter is 653mm while I'm at 655mm. We're about even & identical......a drop will automatically add slight negative camber.....so, I'm praying you'll be FINE, your Maj3sty!!!!

But, please note that 245s on 8.5 et45 sitting FULL DROP on air suspension will need fender rolling....a service Phil can do for anyone who might go air.

Nice! Thanks. Sometimes I load full 3 adults plus 1 kid back seat. And I think my Rota Titan is et44. So Teinitis it is? I will limit the back seat load to 2 adults plus 1 kid. Hehe! =)

[Hot Hatch]

Bicep flexed. =)

[travajante]

Bicep flexed. =)

Hahaha! TEINitis..... Catch em while you still can.....might not be there for long.

[acespino2000]

Is it possible to use 225/40/18 instead of the 245/40? If width is 8.5 will there be any tire stretch thats dangerous?

[red_one]

Is it possible to use 225/40/18 instead of the 245/40? If width is 8.5 will there be any tire stretch thats dangerous?

Still safe as it is within range.

225/40R18
fit from 7.5" to 9.0" rim width
standard 8.0" rim width

245/40R18
fit from 8.0" to 9.5" rim width
standard 8.5" rim width

Wheel/Rim Size Calculator - Shows acceptable rim width range for the tyre size

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Is it possible to use 225/40/18 instead of the 245/40? If width is 8.5 will there be any tire stretch thats dangerous?

Still safe as it is within range.

225/40R18
fit from 7.5" to 9.0" rim width
standard 8.0" rim width

245/40R18
fit from 8.0" to 9.5" rim width
standard 8.5" rim width

Wheel/Rim Size Calculator - Shows acceptable rim width range for the tyre size

[acespino2000]

Thanks much.

Although u notice that the 225s seems to be more prone to gutter marks as the rims seem to be more exposed.

Is this a fair observation?

[travajante]

Thanks much.

Although u notice that the 225s seems to be more prone to gutter marks as the rims seem to be more exposed.

Is this a fair observation?

Even w/ slight stretch of 225 on 8.5s, you'll be fine if the chosen tire has good rim protector profile.

[red_one]

Thanks much.

Although u notice that the 225s seems to be more prone to gutter marks as the rims seem to be more exposed.

Is this a fair observation?

In a way, yes.. so you should always be mindful of the curb/gutter location when moving the car.

8.5" rim width = 216 mm

225s on 8.5" rims
(225 - 216) / 2 = 4.5 mm clearance

245s on 8.5" rims
(245 - 216) / 2 = 14.5 mm clearance

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Thanks much.

Although u notice that the 225s seems to be more prone to gutter marks as the rims seem to be more exposed.

Is this a fair observation?

In a way, yes.. so you should always be mindful of the curb/gutter location when moving the car.

8.5" rim width = 216 mm

225s on 8.5" rims
(225 - 216) / 2 = 4.5 mm clearance

245s on 8.5" rims
(245 - 216) / 2 = 14.5 mm clearance

[travajante]

Some protection will always be better....but still no match vs curbs that are mostly higher than our 35-45% tire profile.😞

[travajante]

A Mown3r in Arkansas traded in his 2015 WRX Limited with 10,5xx miles the other day for a leftover 2015 Mazda 3 sGT 6-speed.
Lemme quote his review:

"Mazda 3:

Pros: Interior is a letter grade above the WRX. Shifter is nice with no notches. Command center is awesome. Exterior styling is also nice and "blend in-able" -- Car is COMFORTABLE and easy to steer. Loads of real downlow torque without needing to spin a turbo. Subjective: draws less attention. More rear seat room. Better MPG by at least 6-7 in combined driving. Takes 87. Hill control is not too intrusive. Mazda Connect interface is awesome.

Cons: Door rattle with BOSE turned up load. Should be an easy fix. Had to update navi system to get additional HUD features.



WRX:

Pros: Power, AWD. AWD is not needed in Arkansas though. No anxiety in snow/rain/mud/ice. Subjective: Attention getter.

Cons: Notchy shifter, power is lumpier than badly mashed potatoes, heat soak. engine issues for some owners, me included. Rough riding car. OLD OLD navigation unit. Requires premium. If you mod them they blow up. ZERO power if you're on a hill with the A/C on. Zero power in most places with the AC on. Could stall it if you didn't slip the clutch enough on hills. Hill control was too intrusive, kicking in on my flat backyard. Engine had a tendency to knock on the first revision of the ECU software.


Things both cars do well: Visibility, audio quality (I had Harmon Kardon in my WRX), lighting (I had LED low beams on my WRX, factory)


Things I'll miss from the WRX: 3000-5500rpm, that slight BPV noise when letting off under boost under a bridge. The anxiety that my motor might let go. "Fair" dealership experience except they stole my OBDII Blue Amazon reader. Also you don't need to press a button to unlock or lock the car. It senses you have the key with you when you squeeze part of the door handle. that was a super neat feature

Things I won't miss: No down low torque without going WOT. Too many looks. WRB is a fairly hard paint to keep clean as well."

Real review but still subjective, best taken w/ a grain of salt. Well, not only don't I have any wish nor need for a REX, it's price point is way above my reach & reason..........but, will never be refused if given 1!!!!!:D

[vinrem]

Some protection will always be better....but still no match vs curbs that are mostly higher than our 35-45% tire profile.😞

Sir Travs, what kind of protection do you suggest then?

[travajante]

Sir Travs, what kind of protection do you suggest then?

These are your options:
360°cam




Or....the rim-diameter-specific clipped on RIM RINGZ:

They're not the protective stick on type:

Even makes rims look bigger. Comes in black, silver, red & other colors....

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Rim-Ringz-18-Black-/111640517015

Or the most hobo option.... extreme conservative & careful driving/parking.

[travajante]

I know some of you thought about this kind of effective protection....

They're like condoms....😞😞
I'm your Anti-NIKE here.....DON'T DO IT!!!! Hahaha

[vinrem]

I know some of you thought about this kind of effective protection....

They're like condoms....😞😞
I'm your Anti-NIKE here.....DON'T DO IT!!!! Hahaha

Hahaha this never cross my mind sir Travs.

[ratchet23]

I have a 2.0 Sedan. Just want to ask sa Touchscreen unit. I'm tired of adjusting its Brighntness Day and Night. What does Auto do to the screen brightness? I thought it should dim with the headlights or use the sensors of the Auto-Headlight. but on mine it seems to have no function. its always in Day brightness on the Auto. Thanks!

[JohnM]

Mine is on Auto and it dims when the park lights are on. You might need to adjust the brightness for the night mode as both modes might have been set to the same level. I'll try later on the way home.

[ratchet23]

Mine is on Auto and it dims when the park lights are on. You might need to adjust the brightness for the night mode as both modes might have been set to the same level. I'll try later on the way home.

Also tried that but to no avail. It should be some signal wire not functioning as i have no problems with the HUD in auto.

By the way, Do CASA upgrade the MZD Connect software? Having issues with the communication menu. It does not read messages after you read one message. Thanks!