Two things have had me stymied for 2 weeks now, ever since I first found them in my new 8.

First, theres a set of "rubber stoppers" in a plastic pouch in the glove box. There are four of these; they're black and sort of eliptical in shape. They are about an inch and a quarter in "diameter". The picture on the plastic bag shows the car's windows as viewed from some rediculously severe angle and perhaps gives the impression that these things belong underneath the car. In holes on the frame? I'm guessing here... Anyone know what they are, where they go, and what their purpose is? The glyph on the bag isn't a whole lot of help.

Second, the issue of wheel locks. In my "packet" from the dealer I have a small envelope marked "Important Mazda Wheel Lock Registration Information" It tells me that the 'special key' is on the vehicle's lug wrench and invites me to complete the enclosed registration card etc. What's throwing me here is that statement about the key on the lug wrench. I've got what I take to be a locking lug nut on each tire; with each locking nut having a serpentine groove machined into it. That groove mates with the complementary 'male grooves' inside of a socket. Is that the "wheel lock" that they're referring to or is there another locking device, over and above the locking lug nut? The socket that fits the locking lug nuts is rolling around in my console; not attached to the lug wrench in the trunk.

To compound the mystery even further (by the way, I've actually not lost any sleep over this, it's just an untidy loose end that I want to pin down); the Order Form enclosed in the packet allows one to order both (or either) "wheel locks" and/or "open style wheel locks". What is the difference?

I've read my manual pretty-much cover to cover and haven't seen anything about the rubber stoppers or the wheel locks. Thanks in advance for any light that you can shed on these "mysteries".

Well yes those are the wheel locks they are refering to. Just keep the key with the lugwrench or you will be in a world of hurtin if you loose it. I think that the dealer can get you another key if you need it based on the VIN of you vehicle.

If you could post some pics of the plugs and the directions it would get you better assistance in identifiying what it is.

If I did the upload thing correctly, here they are....

Very mysterious. BTW, I've got the lugs with serpentine grooves on my car; I didn't ask for them. Are they standard? Do I have a wrench somewhere that fits them? I found no registration card for them so am I gonna be in trouble when I need to change tires?

8_wannabe - I think the tire locks (lugs with the serpentine grooves) come on the GTs. Look in the trunk. Open the little compartment that holds the jack, lug wrench, and tie down rings. Attached to the lug wrench by a nylon tie should be the key to use on the tire locks. It is silver and fits into the tire lock. If it isn't there then you're gonna have to talk to the dealer. Cheers.

You will see the oval holes that those plugs go in if you get under the car. They plug holes in the 'frame' that runs under each seat.

These are a part of the 'Dealer Prep' fee you got ripped off for.
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Those things in the pictures go underneath your car along the sides. I had the dealer put them in for me before i left the dealship and i saw them put it in under the car.

The dealer was suposed to put those on, as well as the wheel lock lugnuts. I'd suggest to take it back and get them to do the car prep properly this time and let them know your very unhappy about them not knowing what they are doing, you've lost confidence in them, yada yada yada. Maybe they'll give ya a freebie or something :D

Originally posted by Doctorr
You will see the oval holes that those plugs go in if you get under the car. They plug holes in the 'frame' that runs under each seat.

These are a part of the 'Dealer Prep' fee you got ripped off for. Is that the same dealer prep fee where they were supposed to install the post under the drivers seat for the floor mat but didn't?

Thanks for all the info. Two mysteries solved. I'll have the dealer plug the holes when I go in next time.....

Can someone tell me exactly where those things go? They weren't in my compartment and when I looked underneath the car I couldn't see them. Mabye some will be kind enough to post some pics with them on the car :)

I just noticed today, my dealer didn't bother to install the plugs under my car. (BTW i3man - I don't have a digital camera, but if you look under the frame rails a couple of feet behind the front tires, and up under the step-up in the floor pan a little ahead of the rear axle and toward the outside, you'll see two oval holes about 1-1/8" long, or plugs on each side)

Not that we in Minnesota might have any crud, slush or salt that might get thrown up at the underside of the car, and could collect in open cavities or anything...