GTF-RX-8

Hey all,
Just trying to see if anyone else has experienced any of these problems

I have a black 2004 GT.

My headlights look like crap. There is a nasty film on the headlight cover that cannot be cleaned off. It appears to be on the inside of the headlight cover. I noticed the problem at around 4000 miles and at 8000 miles it has gotten worse.
Reminds me of the old BMW's and the yellow film that was so visible on the plastic covers.

Second issue:

I have 2 nice scratches on my windshield on the exterior. It's as if the glass is too soft. I've never seen anything like it before and is bothersome!

ANYONE?

GTF-RX-8

Forgot to add:
If anyone is interested I have not had any mechanical problems with the car.
Just drove it from Cincinnati to Miami (1200 miles) with no problems.
MPG was about 20 MPG at over 4000 rpm most of the way.

robertdot

I'm pretty sure many people have had the foggy / dirty headlights replaced under warranty.

Ask your dealer what is up with the scratches. They might be able to do something about that too.

GTF-RX-8

Thanks for the reply.
I'm going to take it to the dealer and see what they say.

TownDrunk

I just posted this in a different thread:

amartin

Clay bar will remove the film from the headlights..just takes some elbow greese and about 30min.

GTF-RX-8

A claybar?
Really?
But it appears like the film is on the inside?

RotaMotion

I've got the same problem. It's almost like a foggy oily rainbow. I've had awesome results Maguire’s plastic polish on getting scratches out of the instrument panel cover--frizzen car detailers and inconsiderate mechanics... I'll give that a try this weekend.

SpinninAgain!

For the headlight lenses try the Maguire's recommended by RotaMotion or Zaino Z-14. If that doesn't work then it's on the inside. Should be covered by warranty, unless they can prove you've been dis-assembling the headlights!

I have a small scratch in a rear quarter window. Came that way new from the dealer but I didn't notice it for a few days. Thinking about having them replace it, but OTOH it's really small. I may decide to live with it rather than risk them botching something up.

affenage

I thought there was a TSB about the fogged headlight covers ? I remember reading something about the cleaner that was used degaded the plastic...

2ROTORZ

I just posted about this myself. I actually just picked up my car new last week and noticed the next day that the headlight lenses had a hazy film on the inside. I just went to the service department of my Mazda dealership today, and after having shown them the lights, they agreed to order a new pair to replace them with.

Since you are still under warranty, I am sure they will do the same for you since it is a Mazda decision (not a dealer specific one) to replace such an item under warranty.. As far as glass is concerned, I haven't had my car long enough to know personally, but I had an issue like that with my last car (a Toyota Celica). Seemed the windows were extremely delicate, chipping and scratching at the slightest amount of abrasion or impact...

Dave

Mikelikes2drive

hmm... i replaced my turn signals... do you think theyll come up with some BS to void my warranty???

GTF-RX-8

Appears as if I need to call the dealer regarding the headlights!

Herkypilot

I had the Scotch Guard Clear bra material applied to my headlight lenses when I had the front end done. No problem with hazing. I did get some small rocks kicked up at me last week from a car in front of me. The road was being re-paved and the work crew left a lot of the small rocks that are mixed with the tar on the road. I knew I wasn't going to get off that road before I took a few hits. Sure enough, I had some small chips in my windshield.