Glove Box & Ashtray Lights.
 

I have a 2006 Mazda 3 Hatchback. How can I change the light bulbs in the glove box and in the ashtray?

For the ashtray:
-set the parking brake
-if manual transmission unscrew and remove shift knob
-open ashtray door
-remove lighter from plug
-open the armrest compt. lid
-grab the front edge of the compartment and pull up to remove the cupholder section
-continue working your way forward pulling up to release tension clips (the shifter surround may come off with the cupholders, if not remove it next by lifting up)
-remove two phillips screws uncovered by removing shifter surround
-(with car off) grab ashtray/lighter section (easier if you put your right thumb inside the lighter plug) and pull back to release the tension clips
-access the light bulb from the back of the housing.... IIRC there are two little clips you need to depress to pull the socket out of the ashtray, then the lamp just pops out.

For the glove compartment light:
-open the passenger door
-open the glove compartment
-remove the decorative trim strip above the glove compt. There are four tension clips (one left of the LCD) and a hook on the far right. Pull back to release the tension clips, but DO NOT pull back on the far right end. Either get all the clips out first and slide the hook free or release the clips between the hook and the LCD and then gently flex the strip to disengage it.
-remove the two phillips screws holding the glovebox tabs from behind the strip (not the ones attached to the upper dash section)
-close the glove compartment, grab the entire section and pull back/down to release the tension clips
-remove one phillips head screw from the top of the glove compt. holding the light fixture and replace the lamp.

Wow - thank you very much.! It is a lot of work but good to get an idea on what is involved.
On hindsight, I was at the dealer recently getting the cabin air filter replaced and that would have been a good time to replace the glove box light. However, even if it could be done they don't stock these bulbs and have to order them in.
Thanks again for your detail post.
Marty

It sounds like a lot of work, but honestly either can be removed in less than five minutes.

As for what lights they stock..... the glove compartment light is a regular 194 lamp... possibly the most common small lamp used in anything. I think the ashtray light is a smaller one, however I just took mine to advance auto and found something which was the same size.