Page 92 of 290

Protecting Your Mrzdg
Before Driving
I Belore Getting In
. Be sure the windows, outside
mirror(s), and outside lights a.re clean.
. Inspect inllation pressures and
condition of tires-
. Look under the vebicle for any sign of
. If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.
I After Getting In
. Are all doors closed and locked?
. Are tbe inside and outside mirors
adj'rsGd?
. Is everyone seat belt faslened?
. Do all the lights work?
. Check all gauges.
. Check all waming lights when the
ignition switch is lumed 1() the ON
posirion.
. Release ihe parking brake and make
sure the brate waming lighlgoes off
Always be lhoroughly f:rmiliar with your
Mazda.
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the firs! 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the peformance.
economy, and life of your Mazda.
. Don'trace the engine.
. Don't maintain one consiantspeed for
long.
. Donl drive constantly at full th.ottle
or high engine rpm for exlended
. Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
. Avoid full throule starts.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolanl,
brake/clutch fluid, washer fluid. and
other fluid levels shouldbe inspected
daily, weekly, or at refueling,
dependjng on the fluid. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
4-6
Page 128 of 290
Driving Your Mazda
I Charging System warning
LigbtAc.turroN
Don't drive with a loose or broken
altemator belt. The engine could
overheat because thisbelt aiso drives
I Ensine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This waming light indicates low
oil pressure.
t;]
ergineThis waming light indicates a
maifunction of the allemalor or of the
cnargrng sys€m.
Ifthe ligbt comes on while driving:
1 . Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right of way.
2. Tum off the engine. Inspect the
alternator drive belt for looseness and
3. Ifit's OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consull an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
If the lightcomes on while driving:
1 . Drive to the side of ihe road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Tum off the engine and insp€ct the
engine oil level (page 8-16). If il's
low, add oil.
3. Check the lighr.
lf the light remains on even after you
add oil, have yourvebicle towed to lhe
nearest service station or to ar
Authoriz€d Mazda Dealer.
5-28
Page 129 of 290
Driving Your Mazda
AclurroN
Don't run the engine if oil pressure is
low.I! could result in extensive
I Low Fuel Warning Lisht
This warning light in the fuel gauge
signals that the fuel tank will soon be
Celfuel as soon as possible.
I Check Engine Light*
Ifthis lightcomes on while driving. the
vehicle Inay have a problem. It is
imporiant to nole the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
The checkengine light may come on in
the fbllowing cases:
. Tbe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching emply.
. The engine's electrical system has a
problem.
. The emission control systemhas a
. The firel filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease you! speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
"su...oa"r,. 5-29
Page 221 of 290
Maintenance
Because rorr Mazld h a larse pie.e of
ihtitute nachinery, it needs rcguLat carc in
the lom aJMintenance atul senicins. Monyowers prekt b .1o nuth of this wtk
So Se.tioa 8 has beeh prepared as a SuAeJolthe operata/ ||ho wdnts ta self seni.e such
hind jobs as chansins the ensine oil.replacihS balbs antl wipet blada, chdrying
the batter!,ahd ntatiag the ties-ALl
nainteance sche.lules arc iaclude.l, alohgtutth i$tructions ak how to nake regrlar
inspectians af su.h things as fuid levels.
InlrodDction 8- 2
Scheduled Maintenance 8, 3
Owner Maintenance 8-12
8-1
Page 232 of 290
Owner Maintenance
I Owner Maintensnce Schedule
The owner or aqualified service
i,echnician sbould make thes€ vehicle
inspections at lhe indicated inteNals to
ensure saf€ and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to fte attention of an
Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified
seNice technician as soon as possible.
V When refueling
. Brake and clutch fluid level
(page 8'23)
. Engine coolantlevel
(page 8 19)
. Engine oil level
(page 8 17)
. Washerfluid lev€l
(page 8-27)
V At least monthly
. Tire inflation pressures
(pase 8-34)
V At least twice a Jear(for example, every spring and fall)
. Automatic transaxle fluid level
(page 8-2s). Power steering lluid level
(page 8 2a)
You can do lhe following scheduled
maintenance items if you have some
nechanical ability and a few basic tools
and ifyou closely follow the directions in
ihis manual.
. Air filter
(page 8-28)
. Engine coolani
(page 8 19)
. Engine oil and oil filter
(page 8 18)
8-12
Page 237 of 290
Maintenance
NOTE
The distance belween L and F on the
dipstick .epresents the fouowing
1.0 L (1.05 US qt,0.87lmp q0
V Inspecting engine oil level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a lev€l
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Tum it offand wai!5 ninutes for the
oil to return to fte oil pan.
4. Pull outthe dipsrick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it iully.
5. Pull it out again and examjne fte level.
It's OK between L and F.
But ifit's near at or below L, add
enough oil to bring the level to F.
6. Male sure the O'ring is posirionedproperly before reinsening tbe
dipstick.
Ac.luuoN
Don't add engine oil overF. This may
cause engine damage-
A
'"" -tltl
oKll
LN -LliU
A.,, fl=l*lll
Low ---Ll-l
U
8-17
Page 239 of 290
Maintenence
3.
1.
Replace the plug iighdy after the oil
has thoroughly drained.
Fill the engine with new oil to the F
mark on the dipstick.
S€curely replace the oil-filler cap.
Slart the engine and inspecl around the
drain plug for leaks.
Tum il off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to reiurn to ihe oil pan.
Check the oil level and fitl to the F mark
ifnecessary,
Oil capacity (General reference only.)
1.6-liter engine:
3.0 L (3.2 US qt, 2.6 ftnp qt)
1.8 and 2.o-lit€r ensines:
3.3 L (3.5 US qt,2.9Imp qt)
5.
NOTE
Use only specified engine oil (page
8 16).
Changing oil fflter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authoriz€d Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
I Engine Coolant
V Inspeciing coolant level
A waruvnrc
Hot Engine:
A hot ensine h danserous. I! the
ensine has been runnins, pa.ts of
the engine compartment can becomeyery hot. You couu be b rned. Don't
inspect the coolant slstem or add
coola t r'hen the engine is hot
8-19
Page 244 of 290

Ifnew fluid is required frequendy,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
AclurroN
To avoid damage to the power
steering pump. donl operate the
vehicle for long periods when the
power steering fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering flujd
(chart, page l0-2).
I Insp€cting Power Steering Fluid
Level
Inspect lhe fluid level in &e reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine
off and cold. Add fluid ifnecessary: it
does not require periodic changing.
The level must be keptbetween MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
A waruvnsc
SpilkdB!4Lc4uidr
Spi zd bmke lluid is dangercur. If it
gets in !o0 eles, thef co ld be
seria ib inj red- Il thit hawn\
imnediatelr iush lour eres wirh hnter
and get nedical attentio,L Brake l id
spilbd on a hot engine couu cause a
fft. Be careftl n., to spi bmke fiuuon rowself or on the engine.
A wanrrnrc
Low Brakelclutch Fluid Levets:
Lou' brakelclutch Jluid lewls could
be datgetuus. Low levels could
signal btuke Ii ine ,'ear or a brake
srsten teak. Your brckes couA failand c.use an accident lfroufrnda
loia' fluid lerel, hate the bnkes and
8.24