After asking around, and talking to a few people, this is my situation.

2008 Mazda 3, 102k miles.

There is a 3-4 shift shock syndrome TSB for the Mazda 3, which I own.

I actually already have the syndrome, but it runs fine. I talked to a few old time mazda owners, and I actually am canceling the trans fluid change that I was going to do today. If I change the fluid, I will lose most likely 4th and 5th gear.

If I keep the old fluid in, the friction will keep everything in tact. The car runs fine and everything is in good shape, except for the fact that my valve bodies in the transmission are shit, because, well Mazda sucks.

Regardless, the shift shock doesn't occur until about 30-40 minutes of driving (I notice a pattern while driving to school, because it is around a 45 minute commute). I am planning to sell the car within the next 5 months, so unless the dealer I buy from is either informed enough to know about the TSB or can re-create the shift shock, he is going to be fooled.

I also have 10k miles left on my extended warranty, which I have read over and over again, and even had my mechanic read it over. I should be covered if for some reason it stops shifting into 4th gear (Parts wise anyway). Those warranty companies always like to find loopholes, though.

I only do maintenance to the vehicle, which under the warranty, doesn't void anything as long as it isn't the cause of the mechanical issue at hand. If I changed the trans fluid, and I did lose 4th gear, it would probably void the warranty.

All other mechanical things that were done to the car, were done by mechanics, (trans switch, solenoid, body labor, etc) and were reported to the warranty company, which was what was required in the contract.


This all kind of sucks, considering I've only had the car for a year, and I have babied it ever since, cosmetically and mechanically. Used cars are just no fun.


What could be a possible loophole that the warranty company will try to throw at me? Also, does anyone know of a person that had this situation?


If I have to rush to sell it, so be it. I will go to a dealer and probably just trade it in to get a new car within the next few months, (If this is the case, doesn't bother me. Who would deny an excuse to buy a new car).

Iso opinions

Was the warranty from the original owner or did the dealership you bought it from give you the extended? I ask because when I bought the tahoe it came with 70k mile warranty from the original owner but dealership I bought it from said it couldn't be transfered unless the original owner transfered the warranty to my name. It sounds pretty confusing but the dealership I bought it from made it sound like the original dealership wouldn't honor any warranty aside from the original owner.

Hopefully they don't try to pull that shit on you, but you could always sell the car if that is the case since the symptons don't show up for 45 minutes.

I purchased an extended warranty. It has nothing to do with the manufacturer from what I understand. My initial plan was to get a new car within the next year or two anyway, but I didn't want to have to rush it.

As for the shift shock, after changing the oil and resetting the battery, it only did it once today. I know it is coincidental, but it will be a matter of luck with the dealer noticing it. I drove for about 3 hours total today.

posting in a brz thread

You are indeed.