will a 2006 stereo work in a 2005???
 

Hi All!

I have a 2005 3, love it, bought it used as an upgrade from a Scion Xa (really loved that one, however the 3 has tons more feature's). I am kinda a stock guy, dont really want tuner mod's, but.. I love the gas trip feature that comes in 2006 and up stereo's. The question is, if I was able to find a used 2006 stock stereo, would the gas trip feature work? In my 2005 that is!!
Let me know what you know!
Matthew

I know there is a way to 'unlock' the trip computer for cars that didn't come with it. I wrote a little how-to for it, in here somewhere.. way too tired to look for it right now though: https://www.mazda3club.com/how-tos-96/ <-- somewhere in that subforum, it should be labeled "mazda3"

I don't think it works on the earlier models though, just the ones that came out when the feature was an available option.

Gas trip feature aside, a 2006 stereo isn't going to work in your 2005. For the 2006 MY the wiring harness was redesigned, and the LCD was separated from the stereo (they kind of had to when they introduced automatic climate control). You might be able to get it to work, but it would involve a lot of signal sniffing and rewiring.

2004 and 2005 use the same stereo, more or less. 2006-2008 use the same stereo.

thank's alot for the info, I gues my next upgrade will be a 2006 or 07.