[TwoThirdsDone]

I’m in a similar place. Everybody has just thrown out an idea like that but with no codes, no misfires, etc. on paper there really isn’t even anything to diagnose Even I wouldn’t say there is’t exactly anything wrong with it. I actually love how it drives 100% of the time when it’s not happening and pretty much everything else about the car, but I like to figure stuff like this out on any car. Especially something that’s new to me and like you said, I have a feeling it may be something small now but something that could definitely escalate to a ‘real’ issue Is there anything you’ve tried so far that hasn’t worked? And what is your mileage? I’m at 76k, recently replaced spark plugs but that’s about it for me aside from regular oil changes and some (afaik) unrelated mods

I’m in a similar place. Everybody has just thrown out an idea like that but with no codes, no misfires, etc. on paper there really isn’t even anything to diagnose Even I wouldn’t say there is’t exactly anything wrong with it. I actually love how it drives 100% of the time when it’s not happening and pretty much everything else about the car, but I like to figure stuff like this out on any car. Especially something that’s new to me and like you said, I have a feeling it may be something small now but something that could definitely escalate to a ‘real’ issue Is there anything you’ve tried so far that hasn’t worked? And what is your mileage? I’m at 76k, recently replaced spark plugs but that’s about it for me aside from regular oil changes and some (afaik) unrelated mods

im at around 65k, i also changed the spark plugs a while ago but that changed nothing. i have an aftermarket intake and exhaust. ive swapped back and fourth between stock and aftermarket intake but that didnt matter. i dont have my old exhaust to see if that makes a difference but i have no clue how it would. The closest i ever came to finding what was wrong was seeing alot of people online saying similar symptoms could be because of a bad shift solenoid but then again if that was the issue there should be an engine code. The transmission shop i went to also said its almost unheard of for the solenoids to go bad in the transmission on these cars.

 

[cathay872]

Update in 2024. The issues sadly persists, but didn't get worse or better. I am at 83K. Did not do any transmission service last year.

 

[hendersond1998]

My 16 Mazda 3 w/ 74k has the exact same issue at cold start, must be some sort of transmission tick/problem with these years.

 

[cathay872]

My 16 Mazda 3 w/ 74k has the exact same issue at cold start, must be some sort of transmission tick/problem with these years.

If you don't mind, can you test this in manual mode? It appears to me that accelerating in 2nd gear manual mode does not have this problem.

 

[hendersond1998]

I’ve tried the manual mode before it oddly resolves the jerking issue.

 

[gregersonke]

Hmm... the transmission in the morning is going to be cold and the way it locks up the clutches will be a little off. When you did the drain fill. Did you do it just once or 3 times? Typically, recommended to drive it a while then do it again.


Also, another thing to check because it's been a common theme among the troublesome vehicles over the years and it's typically cheap to do. Replace your EGR valve and belts.

 

[Jaimin]

Having same problem since I bought used 2015 mazda 3 automatic at 100k miles. I live in toronto (usually cold). I feel jerk once when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd or 1st to 2nd. It happens only when the car is cold (after overnight stay), but after warm up, the jerk goes away.

 

[Mr DD]

I just bought a 2017 3 with 66k and it does this. I didn't really notice it during my test drive but I did after a couple days of cold starts on the way to work. It still does it when it's warm but it's just not as bad. I was reading there is a transmission re learn procedure that you can do that sometimes fixes this. Not sure if I should try that or not. Also considering having the fluid changed at the dealer.

 

[Jaimin]

Update: I changed transmission fluid with OEM ATF fluid, drain and fill method, no filter change or pan drop. I have also replaced the spark plugs. But none of this solved jerking issue. I still feel jerk when the gear shifts from 2nd to 3rd and the car is cold (usually within 10 min of drive), after that, the jerk goes away. If anybody has found a solution. Please reply.

 

[Mr DD]

Update: I changed transmission fluid with OEM ATF fluid, drain and fill method, no filter change or pan drop. I have also replaced the spark plugs. But none of this solved jerking issue. I still feel jerk when the gear shifts from 2nd to 3rd and the car is cold (usually within 10 min of drive), after that, the jerk goes away. If anybody has found a solution. Please reply.

Did you try the re learn procedure? I think I'm going to do it on my car once I get a few more miles on it. After looking at the Carfax it looks like it hasn't been driven for 10 months so I want to give it a good shakedown first. The video on youtube is titled "Mazda Skyactiv AT initial learning mode" I don't think I can post links yet since I just joined the site.

 

[Jaimin]

Just did a relearning procedure. Let's see if it resolves the jerk. I'll update here.

 

[Mr DD]

Just did a relearning procedure. Let's see if it resolves the jerk. I'll update here.

Awesome, Yes very interested in how it goes. My car seemed a bit better today. I'm not even through my first tank of gas yet so I'm going to drive it around for a few thousand miles before trying anything. I don't even know how old this gas is, It could be 10 months old, who knows.

 

[Jaimin]

Just did a relearning procedure. Let's see if it resolves the jerk. I'll update here.

After erasing the learning based on the above youtube video, I did not feel jerk which I was feeling between 2nd to 3rd gear after overnight parking. I'll update when the temperature goes down may be in winter time to see the actual result.

 

[Mr DD]

Hey everyone, Just wanted to provide an update for my car. There's actually a TSB about this issue and the transmission needs a software update. I did this as well as a fluid change and it absolutely changed the car and the way it shifts. It's pretty much perfect now. Look up Mazda TSB #05-003-18-3460a

 

[Jaimin]

Just did a relearning procedure. Let's see if it resolves the jerk. I'll update here.

Update: the jerk is still there when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear in an automatic transmission. Automatic transmission initial learning procedure is did not solve this issue.

 

[Jaimin]

Hey everyone, Just wanted to provide an update for my car. There's actually a TSB about this issue and the transmission needs a software update. I did this as well as a fluid change and it absolutely changed the car and the way it shifts. It's pretty much perfect now. Look up Mazda TSB #05-003-18-3460a

Great Mr DD. Amazed to hear the software update solved the issue. I have few questions on this, could you please answer those. Thanks in advance.

1. Did you go to mazda dealer or a local mechanic to perform TCM software update?
2. How much did it cost to you?
3. Did you used drain and fill service or flush and filter change service for the transmission fluid change?
4. I am felling jerk when I cold start the car, but after 10 minutes the jerk fade away and shifts normally. Did you had the exact same issue?

 

[Mr DD]

Great Mr DD. Amazed to hear the software update solved the issue. I have few questions on this, could you please answer those. Thanks in advance.

1. Did you go to mazda dealer or a local mechanic to perform TCM software update?
2. How much did it cost to you?
3. Did you used drain and fill service or flush and filter change service for the transmission fluid change?
4. I am felling jerk when I cold start the car, but after 10 minutes the jerk fade away and shifts normally. Did you had the exact same issue?

I went to the Mazda dealer for the TCM update. It's actually covered by some PZEV emissions warranty which is 15 years 150k miles so it was free to get the update because my car has 69k on it. It actually says that the PZEV warranty covers it on the last page of the TSB. I had to fight with the dealer about it a little bit but in the end they honored it. I had the dealer do a flush at the same time which they initially refused to do because they didn't think the TSB would fix it. They called me later and said the TSB did fix it so then they were willing to do the flush. My car would jerk quite badly when it was cold, after 10 min or so it would get about 50% better but definitely not right. A good highway run would result in the best shifts after getting off the highway but still they were a little weird and sometimes more jerky and inconsistent than you would expect. If I was just driving around town even after a long amount of time it would have a really weird shift behavior the whole time. I would say it felt most like riding in a car with someone who was a new manual transmission driver. Just weird, jerky inconsistent shifts. I think the main thing about this TSB is altitude for some reason though. I live in Colorado so I'm at 5000 feet. The TSB says it happens at 3000 feet and above. I've been reading on FB groups about people who can't get the dealer to do the TCM update because they are at a lower altitude than 3000 feet.

 

[Jaimin]

I went to the Mazda dealer for the TCM update. It's actually covered by some PZEV emissions warranty which is 15 years 150k miles so it was free to get the update because my car has 69k on it. It actually says that the PZEV warranty covers it on the last page of the TSB. I had to fight with the dealer about it a little bit but in the end they honored it. I had the dealer do a flush at the same time which they initially refused to do because they didn't think the TSB would fix it. They called me later and said the TSB did fix it so then they were willing to do the flush. My car would jerk quite badly when it was cold, after 10 min or so it would get about 50% better but definitely not right. A good highway run would result in the best shifts after getting off the highway but still they were a little weird and sometimes more jerky and inconsistent than you would expect. If I was just driving around town even after a long amount of time it would have a really weird shift behavior the whole time. I would say it felt most like riding in a car with someone who was a new manual transmission driver. Just weird, jerky inconsistent shifts. I think the main thing about this TSB is altitude for some reason though. I live in Colorado so I'm at 5000 feet. The TSB says it happens at 3000 feet and above. I've been reading on FB groups about people who can't get the dealer to do the TCM update because they are at a lower altitude than 3000 feet.

Thanks for the reply Mr DD. I will followup with the dealer for the update.