I should have done this a long time ago, but i finally managed to get my iPod hooked up to my Mazda 3 SP3 factory stereo and it is fantastic. Great sound, great integration with steering wheel controls etc, the iPod is charged while driving and icing on the cake is the fact that the song names come up on the dash!!
After countless hours scouring the internet, i came across a company call Integrated Solutions on eBay and many other forums. They sell a unit called “Axxess” with various cables etc to integrate. Thanks to recommendations and Flickr photo tutorial from JBHenry I decided to give this unit a go.
Well after ordering on eBay and delivery with a few days, it took me less than an hour to install everything, from opening the boxes to sitting in the car listening to music. I took my own set of photos which you can also see here.
All up i’m very happy and will be able to listen to a whole lot more tunes without messing with CDs, and more Podcasts without having to mess with stupid noisy FM transmitters.
October 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I have a mazda3 with the same audio system as shown on your site, and wanted to integrate the ipod into it. There is actually already a cable. However, none of your picture links work so I can’t see what you are talking about. Any chance you could send them to me or something?
October 8th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Hi Snodog. I just checked the links and they seem to be working fine? Can you try again?
January 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Awesome – been wanting to do this for a long time….However – My stereo has the “Media” button instead of Tape/MD – do you think this is likely to work – also will it work with an iPod touch?
All I need to do now is find where to buy the cables, doesn’t seem to be any on eBay at the moment
January 5th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Not sure about the Media button, I’m guessing its just a new label and the button will still work the same, but you never know..
If the iPod Touch had the same power pin change as my iPhone, then you wont be able to charge but still be able to listen to audio, but my iPod works fine.
I’d suggest you contact Axxess directly via their website.
December 27th, 2010 at 6:03 am
Do all models of iPods work well with the new Mazda 3 or there are any hassles integrating particular models? I’ve not tried it out yet, so wanted to make sure that I don’t pick an incompatible model… Thanks for help
January 12th, 2011 at 12:16 am
Hi Jon. My iPod Classic works well with the connection kit that I have. It is the unit I keep in the car. My iPhone connects and will play audio, yet it will not charge. I haven’t tried my iPad
Note that this relates to the 3rd party integration kit I use. Other vendors products may be different.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Hey, I just got a 2010 Mazda 3 and I have a navigation system, does this integration system work so that the name of the song and album show under the Aux section on the navigation screen? Or will it only allow you to work the ipod from the steering wheel? I was really disappointed when I found out that it didn’t do that automatically from the auxillary and I have been doing a lot of research to figure it out!
January 24th, 2011 at 12:33 am
Hi Emily
The kit that I use shows both the song name, artist and album via the jog wheel on the dash. It also does the song skip and audio from the steering wheel.
I’m not sure if the kit will work in your car.. my Mazda 3 is the 2004 model.
Mark