So you thought that little clock on your dashboard was all it could be? Think again! My buddy was able to successfully unlock the full trip computer functionality to his base model Mazda 3 by following the basic instructions below. He obtained the information from Mazda3Forums. I didn’t see this information well circulated on the tech news sites so I thought I’d make a post about it. It apparently works for all 2007 and later 2006 models. You will be out of luck for earlier models.
- Press down and hold the AM/FM and CD buttons
- Start your car while still pressing down on those buttons
- The display will read, “DIS ON” which means Driver Information System On
- Release the CD and AM/FM buttons
- Turn off and restart the car
- Now press the Set button and cycle through your avg. k/L (mpg), avg kph (mph), current economy, and km (mi) until empty! (brackets for those laggers still on imperial measure…)
Now you have a better idea of your real economy and other things. Don’t you feel closer to your car already?
(I hold no responsibility for your screwing up your car should you pooch it or get struck by lightening during said modification…)
15 Comments
I followed your instructions and can get the DIS ON to work, but I dont have a SET button.
I have an INFO button. This is what normally cycles through the fuel economy displays. But I have not noticed any change in the information displayed.
I own a 2007 Mazda 3 GT Sedan in Canada.
Al - If you have a GT don’t you already get the displays? ie: not just the clock?
This is awesome! I heard rumors about this and did a search for Mazda3+Driver+Information+System and ended up here. I tried it on my ‘06 Mazda3 s (not Touring or Grand Touring) and it works! My car was built in 10/05, so it seems to work on earlier ‘06 models as well.
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for reading Jason. Glad it worked for you!
what does unlocking this computer do for the car?? It doesn’t hurt the computer does it?? I have just resently bought a 2007 mazda 3 and i love it.. I know my questions may see a little stupid but i have know idea what this computer does…
Thank you
what is a trip computer?? I know my questions are stupid.. Also can this mess my car up??
please send me an e-mail or something…
Hello Tracey! Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. I don’t have any first hand experience on doing any modifications to the car as I don’t have one, but I know someone who has done it and it gave him the trip functionality for his base model (where that function is switched off by default). You may want to read some other forums (see my cite in the article) to talk to others who have done it. Let me know how it works.
I wouldn’t think that the button pushing that is summarized in the article could possibly do any damage to the vehicle though. At worst I would think it just wouldn’t do anything. Check the forums.
Oh - and please Digg my article to spread the word!
This isn’t a “trick” its actually in the Mazda3 book they give you when you purchased the car and threw in your glove box. Consider reading it, as the steps are a lot less convoluted then holding down buttons and starting your car.
i have an 08 mazda3 i touring and i can’t seem to get this to work. any ideas?
I recently bought the 08 Mazda3 i Touring Value Edition and can’t seem to get it to work either. I’ve looked everywhere and don’t see any posts about anyone trying it on the 08 models. Can someone help?
Rose and Jason I am having the same problem with my 08 Mazda3 s Sport. I can’t seem to get it to activate and I have the 6-disc CD changer. I can clearly see that the mode IS THERE because I can see where the LCD words would light up for it right above the clock. (If you look just right at a downward angle towards the clock you CAN see them). I’ll probably keep messing around with it and see if I can find the way Mazda changed activating it. I’ll reply here if I find anything.
Alex/Rose/Jason
Have you had any luck? I have the same car as Rose and it is so frustrating to know it’s there!!!
I have just bought an 08 Mazda3 S Touring with the 6CD changer and no luck on unlocking the trip computer either. Any updates?
I also have a 2008 Mazda3i touring with a single CD and same thing–can’t seem to get this trick to work. Really wish it would!
Anyone get this to work on an 08 Mazda3i Touring Value Edition with 6 cd changer yet? I can’t get it to work either. Bummer!
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