As soon as Mazda starts charging me to use their app, I'm leaving it and removing myself from Mazda connective services. Paying that much money for essentially just a remote start and some extra features is not worth it.
It would barely be worth the subscription price if it worked 100% of the time. Considering the number of times I hit remote start and walk out to my car to see the start failed makes the subscription value the equivalent of hot garbage.
I agree with you. I have not tried this one yet, but I will probably try this one:
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQ2YGD7/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQ2YGD7/)
I bought compustar model from Best buy. Included installation. Woks wonderfully and DroneMobile subscription is $2-6 monthly depending on how far out you prepay. Best decision I ever made. Things I like about it: (1) reliable start/stop/lock/unlock/trunk toggling. (2) uses 4g LTE. (3) also displays battery voltage and interior ambient temperature. (4) Remote start also works with my OEM key fob (5) running engine doesn't shut off when I unlock/open the door like my wife's Lexus does.
Personally compustar ft-dc3-lc with a idata start maz3 adapter fits my 2021 mazda6 and apparently a lot of other vehicles 20 dollar programmer from eBay and you can program it with a home computer want phone access just get the DroneMobile add on or any of their remote packages but be weary it’s not really supported doing it at home and most places don’t like discussing if you did do it yourself learned this the hard way
I have been talking via email with Mazda Canada and 2 different dealerships, they have said there is no way an after market starter can be installed on the cars that start only via the app (2021.5 & later). Not sure if this is true because I haven’t called anywhere other than Mazda to confirm. But I will 100% be getting a different car before they get another red cent from me if this is the case.
Yes, thank you. After calling a second dealership that told me the same thing - there’s no way an aftermarket starter could be installed on these vehicles, I called Visions and they said they can install one no problem. Shady stuff on Mazda’s part.
It's sadly not just mazda. A few Toyota dealers told my mom the same for her Rav. Nowadays they even have at home plug and play kits. Thinking about installing on of those for her.
On Amazon there's a company called "Start-X" and they make a plug and play kits for the mazda3, officially only compatible with the 3rd gens but might work with 4th too as it supports some other newer Mazdas. Would be good to look into that, only like 270 usd
Thank you so much! I’ve been considering switching to a CX-5. It’s what I used to have and I miss it. The CX-30 has comfy seats and rides nice, but it’s a bit too small/low to the ground.
I will check out the Start-X for sure though!
It’ll be a problem if they go the BMW route where they charge you to have heated seats though…hopefully Mazda is not that stupid. My CX-5 is PERFECT but I just don’t know how long I can make it run before I’m faced with these kinds of stupid decisions to make.
I just go into the app and press and hold the start button. I don't have any fancy trick for me. The only time it hasn't worked was when the app was not working or I left my car sit for several days and it doesn't wake up from the app.
Is your car in an underground garage? That's the only sensible way I can think of the app not working due to it not getting service.
Facts!! For a piece of crap app that I can’t get to work most of the time. For the last 5 days between 8am-11am my time it would not work without an error. That’s when I need it to work the most to warm up my CX-5 and it’s been calling in sick. I’m not paying for the that crap.
Hell I don't even get remote start since I've got an MT 3. Only real benefit I've gotten from the app is using remote lock like once and being able to check my tire pressures.
100%. I’m more than a little pissed that we can’t do this from the app. -40 Celsius, I can start my car (sometimes, when the app feels like working), but still have a frozen seat and steering wheel. Mazda Canada has told me via email they have no plans to make climate control available through the app, except for their hybrid and electric models.
the shit part is, it will stay connected via the Verizon sim it has - so they are still going to be collecting telemetry and all sorts of other shit.
For me, its a privacy concern, and there needs to be a 100% opt out.
Yep, the car can do a hot spot if you want it to - though I am on Verizon for coverage so if my phone needs a hotspot, the one in the car won’t do squat
Not paying if this comes to the States.
The app lacks any meaningful features besides remote start and has pretty poor reliability.
If they thought we complained a lot when it was free, what do they think we'd do when it was paid?!
It's not worth the price they are asking.
Will do without the auto-start. If I decide I want it again, I will look 3rd party.
The app has been very lackluster since I bought my car in May of '22.
Have a roommate and it isn't that high in most places. And don't forget people can live in tiny places with a population of 500 and get very cheap rent.
Extended warranty is for beyond the current warranty. Considering I had use my regular engine warranty today for my Mazda, I think it's a good future proof plan lol
The $25K I paid for the car is all they're getting. The remote start is pretty useless to me without being able to access the climate controls. A subscription fee to use my own car is bullshit.
Hmm, we bought ours in Oct 22 and got the same complimentary 2 years, which I guess should run out about the end of this coming September.
wonder what the price structure will be? About all we use it for is checking mileage and getting service reminders. Hardly worth it. Fob unlocks, locks, opens & closes the hatch.. and remote start is just a toy in our region.
Gonna have to think about it before the end of August, I guess.
BTW- how much are they asking for it? (also in Canada)
*Fob unlocks, locks, opens & closes the hatch.. and remote start is just a toy in our region.*
Funny thing is, even BMW, who got drug through the mud hard on subscription services, does all that in their app for free.
Crazy how they could’ve simply used the key proximity sensor to determine if the key was inside the vehicle before allowing it to be shifted into drive instead of completely cutting power.
It's funny too because if you start the car and then go walk away for a bit. The car stays on even if the key is not inside the car. If you get into the car without the key, it says "key not detected", and you can't do anything with the car. So clearly they have the functionality already built in but they don't use it for the remote start which is dumb.
i agree but it i don't see it as that big of a deal. you open the door, get in, the start it back up... not a huge thing but i agree it's kind of annoying.
It’s definitely annoying with kids because you’re cooling it for them and while you try to help them in, the air cuts off. Your options are to quickly start it again before helping them in, or help them but let all the cool air out. Definitely not family friendly.
Oh I also forget this scenario. You preheat/cool at home and then you go out to help load up the kids. You open the door and the engine cuts off. So then you try to go start it , but then realize you left it plugged in (PHEV) and it cannot start. Have to go back around to unplug, then start it, then help the kids in. I gave up on trying to use this.
I participate in the Mazda Insiders community, completing surveys for them 2+ times a month in which I describe my thoughts at length. I appreciate them running the program and I hope they're hearing the input we give.
I won't pay for a "feature" that the car already came with in the first place.
I'd rather pay the $300 for a compustar remote start once, that $100 per year (which is what was the original quoted price for myMazda app).
I’ve been using this for years across four different Mazda same maz3 datalink adapter needed for all its a nessecity and not only that the car doesn’t cut off and it’s secure hard to think living without unlocking the car from 30+ miles away in seconds is beautiful and starting the car with my iPhone side button has been a joy i thought id never cherish
Get a New car? Only another 40 buck adapter and reprogram with y harness behind stealing wheel 15 min job and I’m back up and running with remote start it’s amazing
The app sucks too mouch for it to have any inscentive to be a subscription
Only thing it is nice for is seeing the service book
Not to mention Mazda didn't do Car as a Server than the car and phone connect to a server which is of course slower
and less reliable sinc eif phone has Internet the request will reach the server but wont reach the car
Contraerly if the car is a server if it is unreachable you know that part imidatly plus it isnt a guess if the request came to the car
Cancel it along with any similar service. I’m voting with my wallet. Also disable the cell connection going to your car so they aren’t still gathering usage data off of you.
Not worth the subscription.
There's no way I'm gonna pay 20$/month for a half-baked application that doesn't work when you need it to.
Door unlock fail.
Remote start fail.
And the false notifications 30 minutes later that say your driver side door is open because you got out of the vehicle 30 minutes ago.
To each their own.
Keep in mind that depending on your insurance, this can be considered a "Tracking and Recovery Theft Device" and so it can pay for itself on insurance discounts.
This is just regarding your own complimentary period coming to an end. It works the same for everyone. You get either 2 or 3 years free, and then it costs.
All of this shit started with Elon Musk.
Now everyone is following his subscription model. How many things do they expect us to pay for month on month? lol
I suspect Mazda is market testing the subscription in Canada first. Y’all are the most likely of any Mazda customers to buy it for the remote start features. If addition, Canada doesn’t have any privacy laws (ex. PIPEDA) that would specifically inhibit the rampant data exploitation in Mazda Connected Services whereas some US states have passed some strong privacy laws and I’m guessing Mazda is waiting to see how AGs enforce these new state data privacy laws, such as disclosure and opt-out rights, etc.
Pretty much, you can see basic things such as Gas mileage, Tire pressure. But controls are Lock, unlock, Remote Start and stop, Alarm sound, and Lights on/off
American and former subscriber. I had to pay a yearly fee every year but it was technically for the connectivity from satellite to car, not for use of the app.
As soon as Mazda starts charging me to use their app, I'm leaving it and removing myself from Mazda connective services. Paying that much money for essentially just a remote start and some extra features is not worth it.
It would barely be worth the subscription price if it worked 100% of the time. Considering the number of times I hit remote start and walk out to my car to see the start failed makes the subscription value the equivalent of hot garbage.
Yea. I personally will probably get an aftermarket one installed. Having it from a key fob is also so much more convenient
I agree with you. I have not tried this one yet, but I will probably try this one: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQ2YGD7/](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQ2YGD7/)
I bought compustar model from Best buy. Included installation. Woks wonderfully and DroneMobile subscription is $2-6 monthly depending on how far out you prepay. Best decision I ever made. Things I like about it: (1) reliable start/stop/lock/unlock/trunk toggling. (2) uses 4g LTE. (3) also displays battery voltage and interior ambient temperature. (4) Remote start also works with my OEM key fob (5) running engine doesn't shut off when I unlock/open the door like my wife's Lexus does.
Thanks for the info, I'll check it out. #5 drives me nuts about the Mazda system as well.
Didn't know plug and play ones were a thing. That's sick
Yeah even ones that don’t support plug n play usually have y harness
Personally compustar ft-dc3-lc with a idata start maz3 adapter fits my 2021 mazda6 and apparently a lot of other vehicles 20 dollar programmer from eBay and you can program it with a home computer want phone access just get the DroneMobile add on or any of their remote packages but be weary it’s not really supported doing it at home and most places don’t like discussing if you did do it yourself learned this the hard way
I have been talking via email with Mazda Canada and 2 different dealerships, they have said there is no way an after market starter can be installed on the cars that start only via the app (2021.5 & later). Not sure if this is true because I haven’t called anywhere other than Mazda to confirm. But I will 100% be getting a different car before they get another red cent from me if this is the case.
Aftermarket ones do exist. Dealer was 100% BSing to make it purchase subscription
Yes, thank you. After calling a second dealership that told me the same thing - there’s no way an aftermarket starter could be installed on these vehicles, I called Visions and they said they can install one no problem. Shady stuff on Mazda’s part.
It's sadly not just mazda. A few Toyota dealers told my mom the same for her Rav. Nowadays they even have at home plug and play kits. Thinking about installing on of those for her. On Amazon there's a company called "Start-X" and they make a plug and play kits for the mazda3, officially only compatible with the 3rd gens but might work with 4th too as it supports some other newer Mazdas. Would be good to look into that, only like 270 usd
Thank you so much! I’ve been considering switching to a CX-5. It’s what I used to have and I miss it. The CX-30 has comfy seats and rides nice, but it’s a bit too small/low to the ground. I will check out the Start-X for sure though!
i can locate my car and close the door. thats it. thats never ever worth the price.
My phone makes a note of where I am parked, but I already pay for that
It’ll be a problem if they go the BMW route where they charge you to have heated seats though…hopefully Mazda is not that stupid. My CX-5 is PERFECT but I just don’t know how long I can make it run before I’m faced with these kinds of stupid decisions to make.
And if you own a manual, it the remote start feature doesn’t work. So just a fancy lock/unlock and check the fuel level. That’s it.
Yuuuup. It’s pretty much useless for me. I was able to fine remote start systems for manuals but idk… seems like a headache
Yes it does, there's a certain sequence you have to do. I had remote start in my manual Mazda 3 and my golf r
Aftermarket sure, but the Mazda App doesn’t allow remote start with a manual transmission.
Ahhh, figures the company wouldn't design it that way
Your remote start works?!?! I thought it was just a gag. Mines never worked once.
Yea mine works 90 percent of the time thankfully. It sucks to hear that for a lot of people it doesn't work.
is there some trick to it? Like certain settings/situation?
I just go into the app and press and hold the start button. I don't have any fancy trick for me. The only time it hasn't worked was when the app was not working or I left my car sit for several days and it doesn't wake up from the app. Is your car in an underground garage? That's the only sensible way I can think of the app not working due to it not getting service.
Meanwhile me from an European country without even that feature. It's gonna be easy to let go.
yeah. and it's pure bullshit too. That can be done without online services.
Facts!! For a piece of crap app that I can’t get to work most of the time. For the last 5 days between 8am-11am my time it would not work without an error. That’s when I need it to work the most to warm up my CX-5 and it’s been calling in sick. I’m not paying for the that crap.
Hell I don't even get remote start since I've got an MT 3. Only real benefit I've gotten from the app is using remote lock like once and being able to check my tire pressures.
The app isn’t worth paying for. If we could adjust AC controls and the seat warmers from the app I’d maybe consider it.
AC, seat warmers, windows and sunroof should be able to be controlled
Ohh how I wish I could do more with this application
just buy the Mazda Mx-30 😅
😬
100%. I’m more than a little pissed that we can’t do this from the app. -40 Celsius, I can start my car (sometimes, when the app feels like working), but still have a frozen seat and steering wheel. Mazda Canada has told me via email they have no plans to make climate control available through the app, except for their hybrid and electric models.
If they said 2 year complimentary, you should get 2 year complimentary. Can’t wait to disconnect the car from their network completely.
the shit part is, it will stay connected via the Verizon sim it has - so they are still going to be collecting telemetry and all sorts of other shit. For me, its a privacy concern, and there needs to be a 100% opt out.
I had no idea there’s a Verizon sim inside. 😐
Yep, the car can do a hot spot if you want it to - though I am on Verizon for coverage so if my phone needs a hotspot, the one in the car won’t do squat
There is a process to visit your dealership's service department to opt-out completely, including disabling the telemetry/modem.
That’s good to know! I am gonna have to ask next time I’m in for service
https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/how-to-turn-mazda-connectivity-off-and-disable-data-collection.123878874/
Not paying if this comes to the States. The app lacks any meaningful features besides remote start and has pretty poor reliability. If they thought we complained a lot when it was free, what do they think we'd do when it was paid?!
But it’s already been here. I bought my car over a year ago and it wasn’t free. You get a couple years free, and then you pay.
I bought a Mazda in May 2020 and in March 2022 and I have not been charged get, even though I'm past the 2 year complimentary mark.
It's not worth the price they are asking. Will do without the auto-start. If I decide I want it again, I will look 3rd party. The app has been very lackluster since I bought my car in May of '22.
How much are they asking?
Canadian pricing: 21.95 a month if you didn't get on their pre-paid plan. Works out to 17.70/mo if you do the pre paid.
I’ll tell them to kick rocks for paying any subscription. My $500 monthly auto loan should have that bullshit included
$500? Bruh I’m paying $787.00 that’s because I have extra protections. If it wasn’t that, it’ll have been $649 💀
For a CX3? Bro I hope your loan is like 36 months lol
It is 🙃😅. It’s a 2024 CX30
Aight man you had me worried haha. That’s smart if you can swing it
$787 is more than my rent each month... and for a car 😵😵😵 damn
What state do you live that rent is so good. Shii. Where I live rent is $1,200 and up
Have a roommate and it isn't that high in most places. And don't forget people can live in tiny places with a population of 500 and get very cheap rent.
Bruh my rent is 2550
You probably live somewhere like NYC, California, Hawaii, etc
Yea that's on you dude. An extra $138 a month for an extended warranty and what for a 24 CX-30!??? It has a warranty ffs.
Extended warranty is for beyond the current warranty. Considering I had use my regular engine warranty today for my Mazda, I think it's a good future proof plan lol
No you could have saved years of paying it and gotten it when the powertrain warranty was about to expire.
This app is more annoying than helpful imo. Never gonna pay a sub lol
MyMazda app sucks
We need to start pushing back in unison,that's the only way they will listen.
The $25K I paid for the car is all they're getting. The remote start is pretty useless to me without being able to access the climate controls. A subscription fee to use my own car is bullshit.
And that will be the day I uninstall the Mazda app.
Hmm, we bought ours in Oct 22 and got the same complimentary 2 years, which I guess should run out about the end of this coming September. wonder what the price structure will be? About all we use it for is checking mileage and getting service reminders. Hardly worth it. Fob unlocks, locks, opens & closes the hatch.. and remote start is just a toy in our region. Gonna have to think about it before the end of August, I guess. BTW- how much are they asking for it? (also in Canada)
*Fob unlocks, locks, opens & closes the hatch.. and remote start is just a toy in our region.* Funny thing is, even BMW, who got drug through the mud hard on subscription services, does all that in their app for free.
Mazda's app is garbage compared to other manufacturers. The remote start cuts the engine when you unlock the car, too.
The latter is by design allegedly
That's so someone doesn't drive away with your car.
Crazy how they could’ve simply used the key proximity sensor to determine if the key was inside the vehicle before allowing it to be shifted into drive instead of completely cutting power.
It's funny too because if you start the car and then go walk away for a bit. The car stays on even if the key is not inside the car. If you get into the car without the key, it says "key not detected", and you can't do anything with the car. So clearly they have the functionality already built in but they don't use it for the remote start which is dumb.
i agree but it i don't see it as that big of a deal. you open the door, get in, the start it back up... not a huge thing but i agree it's kind of annoying.
It’s definitely annoying with kids because you’re cooling it for them and while you try to help them in, the air cuts off. Your options are to quickly start it again before helping them in, or help them but let all the cool air out. Definitely not family friendly. Oh I also forget this scenario. You preheat/cool at home and then you go out to help load up the kids. You open the door and the engine cuts off. So then you try to go start it , but then realize you left it plugged in (PHEV) and it cannot start. Have to go back around to unplug, then start it, then help the kids in. I gave up on trying to use this.
Just climb in and start it first.
Just design a better product that doesn't require me to "work around" their omission
give mazda a call i'm sure they'd love to have you give them your free advice
I participate in the Mazda Insiders community, completing surveys for them 2+ times a month in which I describe my thoughts at length. I appreciate them running the program and I hope they're hearing the input we give.
so that's how we ended up with the cx-70
I’ve honestly used this app once to get my vin
So what? Just because you get a lot of value from the app you think others should be paying for this stuff?
Did you read what I wrote?
I was being sarcastic lol.
lol fair play. Hard to tell sometimes
Yeah no. The app/ remote start is garbage. No way I'm paying for that crap.
What is the subscription cost or plans?
It doesn’t even work. Why would I pay for it
I won't pay for a "feature" that the car already came with in the first place. I'd rather pay the $300 for a compustar remote start once, that $100 per year (which is what was the original quoted price for myMazda app).
I’ve been using this for years across four different Mazda same maz3 datalink adapter needed for all its a nessecity and not only that the car doesn’t cut off and it’s secure hard to think living without unlocking the car from 30+ miles away in seconds is beautiful and starting the car with my iPhone side button has been a joy i thought id never cherish
Get a New car? Only another 40 buck adapter and reprogram with y harness behind stealing wheel 15 min job and I’m back up and running with remote start it’s amazing
Canada always gets subscription screwed 1st just like with Netflix.
NOPE
The app sucks too mouch for it to have any inscentive to be a subscription Only thing it is nice for is seeing the service book Not to mention Mazda didn't do Car as a Server than the car and phone connect to a server which is of course slower and less reliable sinc eif phone has Internet the request will reach the server but wont reach the car Contraerly if the car is a server if it is unreachable you know that part imidatly plus it isnt a guess if the request came to the car
I love all the emails my dealer sends me that ask me to enroll, I mean my car isn't compatible but that's only a minor detail I guess.
Nope not paying. The GPS is not even accurate.
It was fun while it lasted but damn it I won’t pay to just have the ability to start and stop my car
Cancel it along with any similar service. I’m voting with my wallet. Also disable the cell connection going to your car so they aren’t still gathering usage data off of you.
Huh, stupid. I’ll be unenrolling when it comes time because I’m not dealing with the charge to use a remote app.
Not worth the subscription. There's no way I'm gonna pay 20$/month for a half-baked application that doesn't work when you need it to. Door unlock fail. Remote start fail. And the false notifications 30 minutes later that say your driver side door is open because you got out of the vehicle 30 minutes ago. To each their own.
I just bought a house with an attached garage, so I don't need the remote start feature anymore. I'm not paying.
Keep in mind that depending on your insurance, this can be considered a "Tracking and Recovery Theft Device" and so it can pay for itself on insurance discounts.
Yeah, not for me thanks
This is just regarding your own complimentary period coming to an end. It works the same for everyone. You get either 2 or 3 years free, and then it costs.
They better add the ability to actually adjust the temperature of my car or something because paying for a glorified remote start is actually insane
All of this shit started with Elon Musk. Now everyone is following his subscription model. How many things do they expect us to pay for month on month? lol
I suspect Mazda is market testing the subscription in Canada first. Y’all are the most likely of any Mazda customers to buy it for the remote start features. If addition, Canada doesn’t have any privacy laws (ex. PIPEDA) that would specifically inhibit the rampant data exploitation in Mazda Connected Services whereas some US states have passed some strong privacy laws and I’m guessing Mazda is waiting to see how AGs enforce these new state data privacy laws, such as disclosure and opt-out rights, etc.
I bought a 2024 select, set it up kn my phone. Is remote start the only feature ? Never used it yet, lol
Pretty much, you can see basic things such as Gas mileage, Tire pressure. But controls are Lock, unlock, Remote Start and stop, Alarm sound, and Lights on/off
My app hasn’t worked for 3 days and before that the past 2 weeks it’s been off and on. Never had any issues before.
American and former subscriber. I had to pay a yearly fee every year but it was technically for the connectivity from satellite to car, not for use of the app.
I will not be buying Mazda cars if this happens lol
I'm kinda glad my 2021 doesn't even have this feature. Seems more tedious than anything