I double-checked my manual just to be sure. This factory stereo is supposed to adjust all sorts of things based on the detected sound inside the car, and this is supposed to include loudness level. However, when I come to a stop at an intersection, I still find myself turning the stereo down because it's too loud with my windows open. I've had other OEM stereos that used a simple loudness control based on vehicle speed, and they worked quite well. Why doesn't this fancy Bose POS? Is it just mine? If others have noticed theirs works, maybe I need to take it in for repair/replacement of the stereo. And before anyone asks, yes, I have verified that AudioPilot is turned on.

 

My 06 does the same thing, AudioPilot is a BS in IMHO
On my old GTP had a similar system but it worked, it was made by Infinity not BOSE

 

Mine works, 05 MT Bose system. I have it off because I didn't really like it going up when I had it at 24 already. But yea, having the windows down really screws with the system. Sounds like it's doing its job to me.

 

I never used the AudioPilot, the bass would get really boomy at certain times when it was on so I just kept it off. If you are hearing the frequencies changing when you turn it on/off then it definitely is functioning.

 

Mine does not seem to do anything. Even with the windows closed and the sun roof open, which isn't that loud, it doe snot seem to do anything for the sound level. My mother's car has a non-Bose system that does the same thing but hers is definitely more noticeable that it works. Mine doe snot seem to do anything as I have to crank it up to over 35 in city driving with the windows down. I am always adjusting the volume.

I plan to get rid of the BOSE eventually I think.

 

Thanks, all. I'll have to listen more carefully, but I've never noticed any difference in the sound between having it on and off. I'll play around with it more and see what I hear. It just seems that the loudness level would be an obvious thing that would be adjusted when you slow down.

 

I had the stereo on while I was working on the car the other day. When the wind would pick up and get a cross breeze in the car the stereo would turn up, and when it died down it would turn down. I was driving me crazy though because it always seemed to turn up whenever something vulgar was on.. then the other people in the area would give me nasty looks. XD But still, it works for me, but I turned it off because, as someone already posted, the bass gets really boomy and overrides the rest of the music at certain times. I like having control. :P

 

Got an '09 and mine works fairly well. I often don't even notice it except that I don't need to adjust the volume much between driving on locals and on highway. Without it, I often have to crank the volume up on the highway.

A lot of cars with volume adjustment seem to have 6-7 preset volumes and there is a noticeable volume change with each shift. The Bose seems to have a much more gradual change. Pretty cool.

Haven't tried it with the windows down though.

 

I dont think I have audiopilot...

 

the mazda3 has a quite noticeable change and its based purely on speed. you cant even turn it off. personally, i hate the volume changing. with a passion.

 

I have an 04 and it definitely works for me...

 

Ok.. so I am behind the times here but in my 09' the audiopilot doesn't seem to do anything at all! I have it on, nothing, turn it off nothing... is it just a speed controlled volume control? If so will Mazda fix the darn thing under waranty?

 

Don't know about the 8 since I yanked my stock headunit out years ago..... but most cars with Audiopilot also have an adjustment for how "strongly" it makes the changes. Usually on a setting of 1-5. On 1 you may not even notice it, and on 5 it's overly obvious and annoying.

Once you guys have the Audiopilot turned on, try pressing/turning all the other buttons and ***** looking for this adjustment.

 

Audiopilot sucks imo, and because i got the corksport 2DIN kit I wasn't able to turn it off anymore. Disconnecting the wire from the mic solved that problem :P

 

Our '05 has the AudioPilot. I leave it on, but can tell no noticable difference between the on and off settings. Seems like it does nothing. Ever.

Our '03 Yukon has a Bose system in it as well from the factory. The automatic volume in it works beautifully, and is based soley on vehicle speed. It has Off, Low, Medium, and High settings. It tends to stay on Medium, unless it's adjusting it too much then it's knocked down to Low.

My old '00 S10 I drove in college had the same system, not Bose, but the same auto volume setup as the Yukon (it's a GM thing). It too worked beautifully.

With all that said, the Bose system in the Mazda isn't nearly as impressive as the Bose system in the Yukon. Still sounds nice and clear all the way up to around 25 or so on the indicator (which is plenty loud for us), but the lows aren't as low, and the highs aren't as high. She likes the radio up, I tend to keep it down to hear the motor more. It's a moot point now, but I'm curious why the two systems by supposedly the same group are so significantly different in sound quality. Any thoughts?!?!?!