Finally had it done today at Avante. They replaced the spark plugs, updated the flash (but they couldn't tell me which one, only that it was the lastest one) and replaced the starter. The car now fires up very nicely and hopefully no more hard starts cause I don't want to get stranded in the winter. All in all, great service as usual but the drive back from there at 6 pm was pretty hairy!!! Summer tires and ice don't mix and I kept getting idiots behind me trying to make me go faster. Anyway, winters rims and tires should be arriving on Monday so I can't wait to see the difference.

 

did you have to request for the new starter ? what about the battery ? did they gave you the bigger battery ?

 

Well, I told them I was having some concerns about the hard cranking. I mentioned that I was not sure if it needed a new flash, a new battery (640 CCA) or a new starter. In the end, they gave me the new starter on their own. Big difference now. It fires up quickly and with a roar as opposed to the lazy start up I was getting before.

 

What recall was that?

 

ya what recall is that??? mine seems to be taking about 2 seconds to start after i turn the key...

 

what kind of recall was that to replace the starter. I only get those fuel tank recall done which I think they put some heat seal around the fuel tank. I got a new flash but I think the flash make the fuel economy even worst. I realize now the rpm when started and idle is higher than the previous flash.

 

I don't think there was ever an official recall on the hard start but once I complained (since this is the 2nd time), they changed the starter and the spark plugs along with the flash update. The 1st time complained about the hard start, they just flashed the PCM. So this time, they decided to do more. Just tell your service advisor about the hard start you are having and that you heard that a new starter and spark plug would fix this.

 

Maybe new spark plugs might help? Mazda changed mine with part #
N3Y9-18-110 at no charge. Also, my fuel consumption seemed to have gotten better with the flash. I know better in 2 weeks or so. Then again, it might be hard to judge now since I will be warming the car a bit longer before driving off.