# 2004 Mazda 3 NOT SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR TRANNY PROBLEM? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda3, mazda\ **Created:** [December 19, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465 "2016-12-19T21:05:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/22 "2016-12-19T23:35:11Z")
. The Tiptronic is simply an automatic transmission with provisions for the driver to “shift” by hitting a button, moving a lever, or tapping a paddle. it’s physically an automatic transmission though, an thus it’s considered an automatic transmission. The “shifting” is all done computer, the computer also handles tasks like shifting the transmission into first if you come to stop whilst in triptronic mode and it won’t let you downshift or upshift in certain conditions. Like when a downshift would put the engine at redline or when an upshift would lug the engine. Some even will downshift if you floor the accelerator when in tiptronic mode. And yes, if yours is 2003 Mazda 3, and it’s an automatic, which the tiptronic is, then it only has a four speed transmission. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/23 "2016-12-19T23:38:37Z")
Your car does not top out at 140 MPH. The max speed listed on the speedometer, is not necessarily indicative of what a given car’s top speed is in the real world. Your car is electronically limited to 118 MPH > **[mazda-32004-mazda-3-specs.pdf](https://media.caranddriver.com/files/mazda-32004-mazda-3-specs.pdf)** > > 147.82 KB ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/24 "2016-12-19T23:50:09Z")
> [@nybaby30](#): > > it obviously says on the dashboard my car can top out at 140 mph What may seem to be…obvious…may indeed be…less than obvious. > [@FoDaddy](#): > > Your car does not top out at 140 MPH. The max speed listed on the speedometer, is not necessarily indicative of what a given car’s top speed is in the real world. > > Your car is electronically limited to 118 MPH Yup! Just because the speedometer of my Outback reads up to 140 mph, I have never assumed (rightfully so) that it was capable of that speed. Similarly, the OP is delusional if he actually thinks that his Mazda 3 is capable of reaching 140–despite the numbers on his speedometer. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/25 "2016-12-21T01:55:17Z")
> [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > Some well meaning friend or relative stole 5th and 6th gear in the dark of night because they did not want you driving 120 MPH on the same highways they use I only wish that were true. My kids drive on public roads too, and their families ride with them. 👿 Having said that, nobody can diagnose the problem over the internet. It needs a qualified tranny guy to look at it hands-on. Until it’s diagnosed, all bets are off. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/26 "2016-12-21T02:13:39Z")
The OP finally realized he had a 4 speed auto, not a manual transmission. Which explains why it doesn’t shift into 5th or 6th. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/27 "2016-12-21T02:24:09Z")
I dont know man im finding it hard to believe because i really thought it did i have a 2004 mazda 3 s 2.3 L and it still doesnt explain why i cant even reach 100 on 4th gear if that really is my last gear ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/28 "2016-12-21T02:33:30Z")
Why do you want to go 100mph so badly? Have you ever been 100mph? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/29 "2016-12-21T02:47:54Z")
May be time to stop feeding the Troll. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/30 "2016-12-21T04:15:13Z")
You might think im trolling but i swear on my life i thought i had a serious problem but i guess i dont so whatever but i thanks everyone anyway ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/31 "2016-12-21T04:17:47Z")
And yea my top speed i hit in that car was 110 i believe on route 21 going towards Patterson, NJ with a bunch of my friends, stupid yes i know but its not really about the speed thing im just saying i dont think my car is giving out the same power as it used to and thats whats troubling me. ---
**Author:** ![MY\_2\_CENTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@MY\_2\_CENTS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MY_2_CENTS)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 6:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/32 "2016-12-21T06:21:55Z")
What you thought was your fifth gear was your lock-up torque converter clutch engaging. When it engages it feels like an additional gear. It’s apparently malfunctioning. Not an unusual problem. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/34 "2016-12-21T13:42:27Z")
> [@nybaby30](#): > > it turns out im fucking batshit crazy and was seeing stuff the whole time… While I don’t like your choice of language, at least you have confirmed what most of us were thinking… 😏 ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/35 "2016-12-21T16:08:30Z")
Please save that disgusting, filthy language for you own home. This is a family friendly forum. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/36 "2016-12-21T16:23:35Z")
> [@nybaby30](#): > > i hit in that car was 110 i believe on route 21 going towards Patterson, NJ with a bunch of my friends This is the makings of a classic teenage-driver tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/37 "2016-12-21T16:38:38Z")
> [@circuitsmith](#): > > This is the makings of a classic teenage-driver tragedy. …especially given the congested nature of Route 21 in NJ, along with some fairly sharp curves on a highway that hasn’t been updated since the early '60s. And, just for the record, the city referred to by the OP is spelled “Paterson”, NOT “Patterson”. 👿 ---
**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/38 "2016-12-21T17:15:37Z")
> [@nybaby30](#): > > but on 4th gear my car probably only can get to 100 mph most likely redlining the engine when it obviously says on the dashboard my car can top out at 140 mph Based on this, and your desire to go over 120mph- you should absolutely pull your transmission out and take a look at it. and then probably just leave it out… ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/39 "2016-12-21T18:00:03Z")
Reminds me of the test drive I took in a 1956 VW Beetle. I was on a two lane highway going west of town and had that VW up to 100. I was rather amazed when a 1955 Chevy passed me with no problem. I took a pass on the VW BEETLE because the odometer read 64000. This was back in 1962 and we didn’t know how long a VW engine would last. When I discussed the car with a mechanic, he said that a VW would be hard pressed to hit 70. He then asked how high the speedometer read and I said it went to 120. He thought for a second and said, “You were driving a VW that wasn’t converted for the U.S. You were going 100 km/hr or 62 mph”. I still tell people that I had a Beetle up to 100. ---
**Author:** ![OldcarsRbest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/oldcarsrbest/32/4812_2.png) [@OldcarsRbest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/OldcarsRbest)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/40 "2016-12-21T18:43:46Z")
When first introduced to the US, the VW bus couldn’t publish the government mandated 0-60 MPH time, 'cause it couldn’t do 60. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/41 "2016-12-21T19:24:58Z")
Sorry i didnt know 3 year olds come on this website to see if their transmission has a 5th and 6th gear. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/42 "2016-12-21T19:29:36Z")
The part about route 21 not being updated since the 60s i dont deny but the part about 21 being congested at like 3am at night false… Ive driven on a lot of empty road on that route late at night especially on that stretch coming out of Newark going towards the Lincoln Tunnel. And granted there are “some” decent turns… But hey thats what abs is for right.? And also what is this term OP im being referred to. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465.md?page=3)