Just a little FYI... did many of you note there are actually heater ducts underneath both the driver's and passenger's seats, designed to blow warm air into the back seat floorwells? Well there are, and they put out more air than you would think. So here's an interesting tip:

If you don't really need them (as I don't, my son almost never gets cold) then they take away more air from the front floorwells than maybe you would like. I just taped off 3/4 of each duct, and MAN, what a difference to the amount of heat that goes up front! My feet never quite got hot enough before, but now thet get warm and tostey.

Just thought you all might appreciate this little tidbit of info.

 

Omicron,

I pulled my passenger seat today (like that surprises anyone! ) and noticed the vents. I know I saw them in the manual, but had forgotton about them. I noticed my kids had kicked up the rear floor mats and they were coving the openings. So maybe I was getting the heat in the front as you. All i know is now I'll make sure the rear mats are pulled all the way back! Of course ones that exactly fit in the space from Mazda would have been better!

Thanks for the info.

 

thanks. Does it also work for a/c? Many of us have complained about sufficient a/c ventilation up front (during the summer months.) My car is in the shop right now getting the fix for a/c cycling (regrettably also being treated for flooding.)

 

As far as I can tell, it works with anything when you have the air directed to the floor. So if you use your A/C this way, covering them should help some.

 

Well, that's good info! I remember reading that before, but I'd forgotten about it until you mentioned it.

I've been putting my cold groceries in the floor in the back because of the heat in the trunk. Guess that wasn't doing much good!

 

I ducted taped the rear vents shortly after I got the car (August), and it definitely increased air flow to the front. In the bi-level mode, I figured about a third of the air was each going to the face, front floor, and rear floor. So, now the face and front floor get half each.

 

8_wannabe...
what are they doing to fix the AC issue? I brought this up to the Mazda rep that I spoke to during my install (Nov) of new engine and she said that it wasn't a issue. If fact it was new to her. But come to think of it she also said that the lack of MPG was also a non-issue. thanks

 

AC Cycling fix was mentioned in another thread. Sounds like the dealer reprogrammed it somehow.