ok...so in the past week I have had over 10 items of warranty fixed (I have a may 03 build)

this included putting the new navigation unit in...and no I didn't need to erase the whole program I just told them how it is slow...and sometimes doesn't start up...it freezes, etc. my service department was great about everything and I've walked away feeling great about an experience that had my 8 away from me for a few days...(just so you know it is Morries Mazda in Minnetonka, MN)

the funny thing is when I brought in the car I got a free rental (they have an Enterprise rental company as part of the building since they are such a large dealership...well they gave me a....FORD F-150 Supercab...they biggest vehicle I've ever driven...and I noticed somethings I liked in this beast vehicle and was curious if we they could be done in the 8

1. After I turned off F-150 car not only did the windows still work till you open the door but the radio stays on until you open the door or after a couple of minutes (I never timed it anywhere from 2-5)

2. There are auto headlights...I don't have to have them in my 8...but and I was curious what the downfalls of having them were and if there aren't any whether the japanese add on to make them automatic would work with our US cars

3. When you unlock the car at night the headlights go on (they stay on for a couple of minutes or until you relock the car)

so can we add/mod in any of these features to our 8s? and if so can we do it for cheap and do it safetly so that we don't hurt the car (specifically the battery)

 

Yeah. You can add all of it. I don't know HOW, but I have some ideas. It seems like the staying-on-after-the-car-is-off is just a matter of changing the power source to run through something that cuts power after a certain amount of time or when the door locks. The courtesy lights already do this. I don't have the tools on me right now, or I'd go check to see if the ROOM fuse is the on that takes care of this. At any rate, wiring power to that source, assuming that the source is cut when the doors are locked / alarm activated would allow power until then. Again, this is just an idea. I've not done any research.

As far as the auto headlights, I assume you mean that the lights are on in the dark and stay on until the engine is turned off unless you use the switch. Again, this is possible, as it has existed for years. I think they sell photosensors at RadioShack. You'd need that and some sort of relay to wire in. Again, not any research involved, but just where I'd start looking if I were you.

 

I am not sure about this, but there is something on the Mazda Option site in Japan. When you translate the page, it is under Safety Comfort and automatic light/write systems. Here is a picture.



Maybe, some of the Japan-based owner's can comment.

 

? please clarify

 

I know about the window function after shutdown...that has been in Hondas for years (but Mazda only got around to it with the 2004 yr I believe since our Millenia S didn't have this)

as for the parking/signal lights on...remove key...and everything else works...really? is this in the regular manual (not service man.) does it do this all the time? if it does nice...and thank you much

 

I've got the leds too...sweet