The Mazda 3 is a compact sedan. It comes with a CD deck as standard equipment. If you are looking to remove important dash components, or you're looking to replace the radio, you'll need to remove the factory CD deck from the vehicle. Like most car radios, it is attached by screws and connected by various harnesses. Gaining access to these screws and harness is not difficult, even if you are inexperienced in car-audio work. The procedure is the same for all second-generation Mazda 3 models, introduced in 2010.
Turn the Mazda 3 off and open the hood. Flip open the latches on the battery cover and use your pliers to remove the negative (black) cable from the battery. This prevents a short circuit and shock while you are removing the CD deck. Take a seat inside the vehicle.
Pry around the edges of the vent panel (right above the CD deck) with the trim tool until the panel comes loose. Pull the panel off and unplug the emergency-flasher connection from the back.
Remove the two Phillips screws from the top half of the CD deck. Place these screws somewhere safe--you'll need them to re-install the radio.
Grasp the top edge of the CD deck and pull it toward you to unclip the CD deck from the dash. Pull the deck out to gain access to the back.
Unplug the connections from behind the radio. At minimum, you'll have two connections: the factory-wiring harness and the antenna cord. If your Mazda 3 has satellite radio, you may also have an additional harness for the satellite-radio receiver. Be sure to unplug it as well.
