is normal to have that color due to oxidation, you can even hear tickling sound from there right after you shut off the car

burning smell is normal also if you drive at high rpm for prolong period

Just to share with Mazda 3 owners something relevant I read on facebook.
Note: this is not my personal account.
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Last Friday I went to Bermaz meet a head of Service Manager, we tried to introduce company battery for Skyactiv with istop.
for the discussion , I had ask some question for the battery for skyactiv with istop.

Q1. Can the Mazda skyactiv with istop using non start stop battery ?
A: Can't .. Must use Start Stop Battery.

Q2. If I use a non start stop battery ,any affected happen ?
A: IF LUCKILY , the non start stop battery will be lifespan shorten, Not more than a year it will either damage or battery casing expand till leak out. IF UNLUCKILY , The Alternator will be damage , it will cost u few thousand to replace a new one. WARRANTY VOID,NO CLAIM.

Q3. Any case been found damage by using non start stop battery ?
A: Yes Only few cases happen, bermaz also found some client changed to non start stop battery, warranty been voided but not inform directly to client , until client find out by self when anything damage ,we only take action n tell.

Q4. How Bermaz will know the damage cause by using non start stop battery ?
A: Any Mazda vehicle system had a log record , anything you change before , it will had a record stored in vehicle system . Example : If you think u are smart enough using non start stop battery until damaged, you replace back a original mazda start stop battery, and come to claim us , we can detected in system log record. telling when you changed in date n time.

Q5. How to prolong the original Battery lifespan ?
A: Aftermarket have a lot of battery charger, at least 2-3 months u have to charge the battery. and monitor the battery water level. we found many client sometime park a car few day not turning on the vehicle, so the battery power will drain out some level till battery lifespan less. secondly self switch off the istop function everytime...

Just to share with Mazda 3 owners something relevant I read on facebook.
Note: this is not my personal account.
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Q5. How to prolong the original Battery lifespan ?
A: Aftermarket have a lot of battery charger, at least 2-3 months u have to charge the battery. and monitor the battery water level. we found many client sometime park a car few day not turning on the vehicle, so the battery power will drain out some level till battery lifespan less. secondly self switch off the istop function everytime...

This bold statement said everytime driving we need to turn it off? so what is the purpose to have this function at the first place?this really a joke right. We save fuel today and that save portion will invest back to buy a battery.

Thank you for the info. That's a really major turn off. Not only is the battery expensive and spoil fast, but also can't use non start stop battery because it will spoil the alternator. Sheesh. I was seriously considering the Mazda 3 as one of my options but after this, haih...

istop only make sense in cold country where the battery will be turned off for longer duration such that the fuel saved is significant. Also, in country where fuel is expensive

istop only make sense in cold country where the battery will be turned off for longer duration such that the fuel saved is significant. Also, in country where fuel is expensive

I don't think this should be a deal breaker. The i-stop battery costs RM200 more than a normal battery. If you change battery every 1 to 1.5 years it's not going to be a major additional expense.

Agree with this. Daytime during winter, I just roll the windows down and leave the A/C off. Fresh air is drawn from outside and comes up warm through the air vents to prevent fingers from freezing.
No problem keeping istop activated for 2 over minutes while waiting at traffic lights or train crossings.

In summer, it becomes second nature to switch istop off and turn the A/C on immediately after starting the car.

FWIW, I've had my M3 for 3 years now and almost touching 40k kms and I'm still on the original battery.

Once u owned this car...u love it...the way it tackles corner or go with a friend's car Mazda then u know.

If u want a relax drive...not a bad option.

The battery...go ask toyota hybrid batteries...don't be surprised how much it costs...

Life is a balance. U save here...so u spent there..so just move on...

Hybrid battery different la...got additional provisioning and also got software to monitor and cycle charge the cell at different intervals and order. The warranty given on the battery is almost the ownership timeframe of most malaysians, so shouldn't be much of a problem even if battery fails. Warranty will cover it. I read about some units of prius in UK driving upwards of 300k miles and battery still working fine.

Bermaz HQ close this week? My car arrived at the dealer premise since last friday evening but they cannot process the car due to K1 form as HQ need to submit documents. Apparently all the admin staff in HQ is on leave   

After some thought, i believe that the istop battery Q85 type battery can last better if worked in conjunction with the iEloop capacitor. Without the iEloop, too much strain on the battery itself. That also explains why Chinoz's battery can last this long, which i presumed is the CBU batch with iEloop. Another way to mitigate it is to have more long distance cruising drive instead of stop/start traffic jams.

Another thing i believe would be that the Q85 battery doesn't have enough capacity (hence the need to work alongside iEloop). Those driving continental cars will know that their OEM battery usually last longer but cost more than double due to :
1) large capacity
2) AGM type batteries being supplied on 1st fit

It is a nuisance and a minus point, but since our market is so used to changing batteries every 1.5-2 years, i guessed bermaz decided to remove iEloop from the kit list to take away potential increase of electrical problems.

Having a lead acid battery charger is a good investment, even more so when have multiple cars in the household. Normal maintenance free batteries can actually last longer if the charge is topped up often. Just a little hassle as this is not a common habit for local market as we are so used to just replace a battery when it dies instead of maintaining it.
Hybrid battery different la...got additional provisioning and also got software to monitor and cycle charge the cell at different intervals and order. The warranty given on the battery is almost the ownership timeframe of most malaysians, so shouldn't be much of a problem even if battery fails. Warranty will cover it. I read about some units of prius in UK driving upwards of 300k miles and battery still working fine.

Bermaz HQ close this week? My car arrived at the dealer premise since last friday evening but they cannot process the car due to K1 form as HQ need to submit documents. Apparently all the admin staff in HQ is on leave   

their stupid system down for the entire week before raya leh..means they can't proceed to Customs and JPJ...i paid for my car since last week also can't get my car..then add on with raya holidays until now my car just sitting at their warehouse zzzz.. terrible service..

Looks like We are in the same boat but my car arrive at the dealer already with chassis number assigned. I manage to view my car yesterday. Dealer say only pending K1 form submission to jpj custom. They cannot do anything as jpj custom is close this week. Very weird la. Dunno the documents sangkut at bermaz or jpj. Sigh

Looks like We are in the same boat but my car arrive at the dealer already with chassis number assigned. I manage to view my car yesterday. Dealer say only pending K1 form submission to jpj custom. They cannot do anything as jpj custom is close this week. Very weird la. Dunno the documents sangkut at bermaz or jpj. Sigh

Super unfortunate for Bermaz to have their online system down a week before Raya. Those buyers thinking of driving their new cars back for Raya must be cursing them!

bermaz close for 1 week right? I think no one in the office to process your registration.