diff --git a/selfdrive/car/mazda/interface.py b/selfdrive/car/mazda/interface.py
index 85be0166ce..a138318b1a 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/mazda/interface.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/mazda/interface.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ class CarInterface(CarInterfaceBase):
 
     ret.steerActuatorDelay = 0.1
     ret.steerLimitTimer = 0.8
+    ret.tireStiffnessFactor = 0.70   # not optimized yet
 
     CarInterfaceBase.configure_torque_tune(candidate, ret.lateralTuning)
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/mazda/values.py b/selfdrive/car/mazda/values.py
index ac822f4e9f..f45e80c119 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/mazda/values.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/mazda/values.py
@@ -43,10 +43,6 @@ class MazdaPlatformConfig(PlatformConfig):
   dbc_dict: DbcDict = field(default_factory=lambda: dbc_dict('mazda_2017', None))
   flags: int = MazdaFlags.GEN1
 
-  def init(self):
-    # TODO: standardize default specs via subclass (MazdaCarSpecs)
-    self.specs.override(tireStiffnessFactor=0.7)
-
 
 class CAR(Platforms):
   CX5 = MazdaPlatformConfig(