Andy Wana

Does anyone have any idea where I can obtain the Mazda RX8 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the Australian market?
I am currently in the process of troubleshooting all the problems in my RX8 that may need servicing/replacement since I am still in the warranty period.

I do have copies and copies of the North American ones and so far they've proven to be REALLY useful and informative.
Very useful when you are trying to get the dealer/service people to verify the problems in your car.

Wombat

Try here Andy. http://www.mazdaforum.com/recalls-and-tsbs/tsb.htm

auzoom

Mazda Australia do not make their TSB's available. They are copyright Mazda Australia and prosecute leaks...or so I have been told.

Andy Wana

Cheers, mate.

Andy Wana

Well, as a customer and owner of the car, I sure am not gonna keep quiet if I am entitled to replacement/repairs/upgrades to the RX8 under warranty

Here is a very useful list of TSBs that I've found online:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/bulletins.html

I am able to verify my auto level sensor problem and the driver's side squeaking problem from these TSBs
A lot to go thru, but worth it IMHO

Revolver

Dealers are usually happy to do genuine warranty work because they charge it back to Mazda.

takahashi

That puzzle me why a copyright Act and cover the freedom of information ACT especially it is concerning a consumer product.

Andrew you made it sounds like highly classified confidential government information.

Revolver, would you like to clip in? I am legally challenged as you are mechanically challenged

Revolver

Clip into what??

I'm thinking you face many challenges Taka, hahaha...

As for the whole copyright thing for TSB's, it's not really my area but I suppose they can mark their own document copyright and prosecute unauthorised publication if they want to. I'd suggest that would be commercially unwise, as such an action would only serve to draw attention to the problem they didn't want advertised in the first place.

I think the simple fact is that this kind of widely distributed info is very difficult for a large organisation to keep confidential.

auzoom

Freedom of information has nothing to do with copyright. If someone copyrights information you aren't allowed to reuse, copy, distribute, etc without express permission. Mazda Australia issue their copyrighted TSBs to DEALERs only with the express instruction that they are copyright material and aren't to be diseminated.

ALso be aware that the US TSBs do not apply here (Left hand drive cars, different ECU, flash, etc) and Aus dealers have absolutely no to do any work identified in them.

Revolvers, while I agree with you, it would also be commercially unwise for a dealer to start diseminating them when it could cause them to loose their dealership franchise. Hence they dont.

Remember also that the US TSB's are only made available by a few US dealers, not Mazda North America.

Revolver

Quite agree Andrew. However, a deliberate system of disseminating TSB's is not what I had under consideration. Rather, I was getting at the more casual ad hoc 'leaking' of TSB's by service centre staff. It's simply inevitable given their wide distribution unless access to the documents are tightly controlled. I was really making the point that it would be dumb to commence copyright proceedings in those kind of circumstances.

Given Mazda's less than savoury recent record of 'hiding' widespread faults in various models to avoid recalls (I'm paraphrasing, perhaps unfairly, but you'll all have read the media reports I'm adverting to), I can well appreciate that this is a sensitive issue for them.

ASH8

Andrew is spot on here.. I my time at Marzda, TSB's are NOT for Public/Customer viewing, they are for Mazda Dealers ONLY....

I do not know about copyright infringements or prosecution though...I have never heard of it occurring.

When we got TSB's, the SM and a few techs would read them and then into a folder and in a cupboard...to be referred to later.

Revolver, What "less than savory' record are you referring to with ALL the widespread faults and recalls...?
No manufacturer can run away from a safety recall... if it is not safety related there is no obligation to notify any car owner (any make) of updated parts or repairs, it is the owners responsibility to touch base with their dealer not the other way around.

Andy Wana

Wouldn't it be better for Mazda to be more transparent with its customers by having the TSBs released for public?

It would be good for someone who's not mechanically inclined (i.e. me) to be able to identify issues that are found on the car.
This would save me the trouble of having to book in the car for servicing/warranty assessment everytime I come across a problem whilst driving the car.

takahashi

On the other hand, it makes an absolute panic and devalue their product if they put out all the obscure TSB there is in one model...... it won't happen in any car and attracts a lot of unnecessary repair.

But Kall is right. This forum is so good and I doubt we are missing any TSB

auzoom

OK I will reiterate a point "...or so I have been told." I never said that mazda HAD persued anyone, just that I had been told they do. Personally I took this as Mazda flexing their corporate muscle and threatening lil ol dealers to not diseminate.

ASH8

Yeah, I am really surprised that MMC Japan has not forced those few US Mazda Dealers (through MNAO) from transmitting their TSB's on-line for public viewing.

Just to throw this out there, could you imagine the amount (mountain) of "Inquiries" a dealer service department would receive if TSB were made available to the public.

I can assure you from a Dealers point of view Warranty work of any kind does not make them money, it just covers costs.

auzoom

Ash, I have to say, with the rates the dealers charge they cant be loosing money