How do you remove the stereo from a 2006 Mazda 6?

Answer 1

Tools needed 10mm socket with 6in extender

screw driver

I don't have all the pictures but having just done this 2 or 3 times I can give you a general idea of what to look for.

There are a number of places where people have given instructions on the 2005 stereo for the Mazda 6 but the 2006 is different.

The first thing you must do is remove the cup holder. I did this by prying up the back end behind the e-brake. There are 6 snaps located evenly around the edges, you pretty much have to just keep wiggling and pulling until it comes out.

Once the cup holder is out it's time to get the next section out, the bit surrounding the shifter. If you have a manual I'm told this is very easy, just twist the shift nob off, and pull the console out.

Unfortunately I had an automatic so it's trickier. I had to turn the car on, put the car in neutral (make sure your e-brake is set ) and work the panel loose. The power socket there can be disconnected 1 of 2 ways, I did it the hard way the first time, that is used a torx to pull the screw at the bottom out to take it apart. The easier way is to work it loose until you can get at the connector on the back-side. There are 2 power cables for the lights below the shifter and you can either disconnect those, or do what I did and just push it to the side.

Now you have to remove the 10mm bolt that's holding the whole center console into the dash. To do this empty the contents of your glove compartment. Push in at the top to get the catches to come out from behind the dash. Then you just lift up on the hinge bits at the bottom. The only trick to this part is that there is a string attached to a catch on the side you just have to work it loose. Once you've got the glove box free you will see a brass looking bolt back a ways on the side of the stereo chassis. Use your socket wrench or nut driver to get that bolt removed.

Now back to the center console. There are 4 screws now visible since you've removed the bit covering the shifter. You only need to remove the top 2. The bottom 2 are what you will see first and aren't necessary to remove for this exercise. I didn't see the top 2 and removed the bottom 2. You might need to put your head down level with the screws before you see the top 2 as they aren't visible under the lip when sitting in the drivers seat.

Now to the part that differs from the 2005. There are 3 screws that you must remove before you can pull the center console out. They are behind the air control knobs. These come right off without any difficulty, just twist and pull and they should come right off. Now pull out those 3 screws. At this point you will need to yank the whole thing out. This part is somewhat scary as you don't want to break something, don't worry it's all very sturdy. Get your fingers behind the panel down where you pulled the screws out and pull down and out. There will be a popping noise as the catches disengage.

That is all I did, once that came out I was able to get at the stereo unit to install the iPod adapter I was installing. But I suspect that's the hard part.

Note for 2008 Mazda6 owners there is only 2 screws to remove behind the air control knobs (left and right). there is no screw behind the center air control knob.