Interior Lights
 

Hi guys,

I've been lurking around for a couple weeks now and I guess it's time to post! I bought my Mazda 3Sport GT 1 month ago. Titanium Grey metallic, manual tranny, 31,000 Kms. Too much fun to drive, the best mileage I've gotten so far is 27.8 MPG. If I can get my foot off the floor I'd get better but whatever, I'm happy.....

Anyway the reason for my post, other than to thank everyone for the online community here, is to find out if anyone has installed or has info on putting in interior lights below the dash that will light up the floor area. I was thinking of getting some kind of red lights from canadian tire and installing them under the dash, one on each side. I want these lights to come on when the headlights come on and I wouldn't even have a clue where to hook them up to(electrical). If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, or even a walkthru that would be superfantastic. Thx all, John.

check out www.streetglow.com they usually have under car kits as well as tubes that can be mounted under the dash. as for them turning on when the headlights are on, that might be kinda cool but why not just hook up a switch so that you can turn them on or off whenever you want?

Tap the power off the ring around the cigarette lighter. It should be up to the task of powering two small lights. Or you could use a relay off of the ring, and power it from the cigarette lighter itself.

I agree though that you should put a switch in incase they get annoying or something.

thanks guys, icspots, thats a great idea tappin into the cig lighter, that should be easy enough right ? Well I'm gonna see what kinda lights I can find and then I'll find power for them somewhere, as for the switch idea, I kinda like everything coming on on its own when needed(man I'm spoiled already eh ?) and I want those to come on auto as well. BUT, if they are too bright they will be annoying, won't they, I guess trial and error. I know Can. Tire has tons of different little lights, they must have something. I guess I'll find out this weekend. I'll post an update if/when I get lights put in.... thx again.

Maybe I'll throw this out there too...I'd like to get a wind deflector for the moonroof, the dealer wants $80.00 for one. I looked on www.onlinemazdaparts.com and couldn't find one. Can I find an aftermarket or universal fit from canadian tire or something ? I guess I'll look this weekend for that also. C-Ya. John.

when you run it to the power to the cigarette lighter, if you turn on your lights that will activate the lights that you want inside the car. the switch idea was just a suggestion, as spots said it's generally a good idea because if they can get annoying sometimes. with the switch, if you leave it on the lights will come on exactly how you want them, with the added advantage that you can shut them off whenever you want. if you dont want the switch to be seen mount it under the dash as well or something.

Like RL83 said the switch is just something you can hide somewhere so you can turn them off if you want to. About the cig. lighter remember that the lighter itself is hot with the ignition, but the lit ring around it is hot with the lights.

what ^ said!

I put some small led's under the dash on saturday afternoon. I haven't gone out in the dark yet but I think they are gonna look HOT !!! They are not going to be bright, but just kinda like an accent light...which was the look I wanted...not to bright...

I did hook into the cig lighter ring, that was a great idea!! The lights were $12.00 each at Wal-Mart, and took about 3 hours to install...It took me a while to figure out how to get the console out, once I figured it out, it was super easy.....

Thanks again for your help guys, John.

post pics when you can.

I surely will, or would If I knew how, I have to host them somewhere right ? That is the part I'm not sure about, I will do it, as long as I can get a walkthru(pls hold my hand and be gentle)hahaha, we'll see what they look like tonight...Come on darkness.... :bt:

Yeah, just upload your picture somewhere like photobucket, imageshack, etc. Then put the picture address between brackets like this [img]enter url of picture here[/img].

Moonrof ventshade are sold at CND Tire, they are universale, just messure opening. I bought mini in the states for 32.00 US, less then 40.00 Cnd. They are from the same manufacturer as Cnd Tire. Canadian tire called me indicating they had them for M3 GT Sport, i gave them the inside width, they checked but never indicated $$. Autozone carries them in Michigan. Check e-bay, they were about the same price.