Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2021 Mazda CX-3 AWDFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Reusing Windshield
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. (See NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECTION/CONNECTION .)
- Remove the following parts:
- Windshield wiper arm and blade (See WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Cowl grille (See COWL GRILLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Front fender molding (See FRONT FENDER MOLDING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Side cowl grille (See SIDE COWL GRILLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- A-pillar trim (See A-PILLAR TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Sunvisor (See SUNVISOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Front map light (See FRONT MAP LIGHT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Assist handle (See ASSIST HANDLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Sensor cover (with sensor cover) (See SENSOR COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATIONΒ .)
- Forward sensing camera (FSC) (with forward sensing camera (FSC)) (See FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Rain sensor (with auto light/wiper system) (See RAIN SENSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Laser sensor (with laser sensor) (See LASER SENSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Forward sensing camera (FSC) cover (with forward sensing camera (FSC) cover) (See FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Forward sensing camera (FSC) clip (with forward sensing camera (FSC) clip) (See FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) CLIP REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Rearview mirror (with rearview mirror) (See REARVIEW MIRROR REMOVAL/INSTALLATIONΒ .)
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror (with auto-dimming rearview mirror) (See AUTO-DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR REMOVAL/INSTALLATIONΒ .)
- Forward sensing camera (FSC) short-cord (with forward sensing camera (FSC) short-cord) (See FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) SHORT-CORD REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Set the headliner out of the way.
- Apply protective tape along the edge of the body.NOTE:
- Overlap and adhere the protective tape to the corners to prevent damage.
- Remove the windshield molding by pulling it outward.NOTE:
- If the windshield molding is difficult to remove, warm the windshield molding using a hot air blower.
- Cut the tip of the piano wire diagonally to facilitate insertion of the piano wire through the sealant.
- Pass the piano wire through from the cabin side.CAUTION:
- Carefully pass the piano wire so as not to damage the body. If the piano wire contacts the body, the paint may be damaged.
- Install the piano wire to the piano wire grip.
- Secure the piano wire on the outer side, and pull the wire on the cabin side in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure to cut the windshield sealant.NOTE:
- Use a long sawing action to spread the work over the whole length of piano wire to prevent it from breaking due to localized heating.
- When reaching the pin, pull the piano wire out to go around the pin, then pass the piano wire through from the cabin side again.
- Secure one end of piano wire, and while pulling the other end, cut the sealant around the windshield.
- Pinch the pin from the inside of the vehicle and detach it.NOTE:
- Before removing the windshield from the body, mark the windshield by affixing tape to the windshield and body panel.
- Remove the windshield.
- If the pin is damaged, remove the pin.NOTE:
- Before removing the pin from the windshield glass, place an alignment mark on the windshield.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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