
Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird
droppings should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible.
Deposits not removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle's
paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before
entering a car wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper
blades and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades
and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which
appear coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial
car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described in Cleaning the wiper blades and
windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
Genuine Mazda Touch-Up Paint. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Maintenance and care
207

OWNER'S MANUAL:
This booklet contains information regarding the proper care and
operation of your vehicle. This is not a technician's manual.
Please note that your Authorized Mazda Dealership has trained
personnel and special service tools to correctly and safely
maintain Mazda vehicles.
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)
California Civil Code Section 1793.2(d) requires that, if a manufacturer
or its representative is unable to repair a motor vehicle to conform to the
vehicle's applicable express warranty after a reasonable number of
attempts, the manufacturer shall be required to either replace the
vehicle with one substantially identical or repurchase the vehicle and
reimburse the buyer in an amount equal to the actual price paid or
payable by the consumer (less a reasonable allowance for consumer
use). The consumer has the right to choose whether to receive a refund
or replacement vehicle.
California Civil Code Section 1793.22(b) presumes that the manufacturer
has had a reasonable number of attempts to conform the vehicle to its
applicable express warranties if, within the first 18 months of ownership
of a new vehicle or the first 29 000 km (18 000 miles), whichever occurs
first:1. Two or more repair attempts are made on the same nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury OR
2. Four or more repair attempts are made on the same nonconformity (a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value or
safety of the vehicle) OR
3. The vehicle is out of service for repair of nonconformities for a total of more than 30 calendar days (not necessarily all at one time)
In the case of 1 or 2 above, the consumer must also notify the
manufacturer of the need for the repair of the nonconformity at the
following address:
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Mail Drop 3NE-B
Dearborn, MI 48126
Customer assistance
223

A
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ....................................83, 88and child safety seats ..............85
description ..........................83, 88
disposal ......................................92
driver air bag ......................86, 90
indicator light ...............10, 87, 91
operation .............................86, 90
passenger air bag ...............86, 90
side air bag ................................88
Air cleaner filter .......................182
Air conditioning ..........................20
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ...................19, 120
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................171
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................107±108
Anti-theft system ........................65 arming the system ....................65
disarming a triggered system ..66
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........23
Automatic transaxle .................111 driving with .............................113
fluid, adding ............................177
fluid, checking ........................177
Automatic transmission fluid, refill capacities ..............212
Auxiliary power point .................54
Axle refill capacities ........................212 B
Battery .......................................179
acid, treating emergencies .....179
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....147
maintenance-free ....................179
servicing ..................................179
Brakes ........................................107 anti-lock ...........................107±108
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........10, 108
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....169
fluid, refill capacities ..............212
fluid, specifications .................214
lubricant specifications ..........214
parking ....................................109
shift interlock ..........................111
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....212
Cargo cover .................................55
Certification Label ....................216
Child safety restraints ................92 child safety belts ......................92
Child safety seats ..................93±94 attaching with tether straps ....97
in front seat ..............................95
in rear seat ................................95
LATCH .......................................99
Cleaning your vehicle ...............206 engine compartment ..............208
exterior ....................................207
exterior lamps .........................209
instrument panel ....................210
Index
225

interior .....................................210
mirrors .....................................211
plastic parts ............................209
safety belts ..............................211
washing ....................................206
waxing .....................................207
wheels ......................................209
windows ..................................211
wiper blades ............................209
woodtone trim ........................211
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............20
Clock ......................................28, 37
Clutch fluid ..........................................170
operation while driving ..........116
recommended shift speeds ....117
Console ........................................53 overhead ....................................46
Controls power seat .................................68
Coolant checking and adding ..............171
refill capacities ................175, 212
specifications ..........................214
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................40
Customer Assistance ........217±218
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................49
Defrost rear window ..............................19
Dipstick automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................177 engine oil .................................165
Doors door ajar warning .....................12
Driving under special
conditions ..................................123 mud ..........................................122
sand .........................................122
snow and ice ...................122, 124
through water .................122, 126
E
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................147
Emission control system ..........198
Engine ........................................214 check engine/service engine
soon light ....................................8
cleaning ...................................208
coolant .....................................171
idle speed control ...................179
lubrication specifications .......214
refill capacities ........................212
service points ..................163±164
starting after a collision .........134
Engine block heater .................105
Engine oil ..................................165 checking and adding ..............165
dipstick ....................................165
filter, specifications ................168
recommendations ...................168
refill capacities ........................212
specifications ..........................214
Exhaust fumes ..........................106
F
Fluid capacities .........................212
Foglamps .....................................50
Index
226

Four-Wheel Drive vehiclesdescription ..............................120
driving off road .......................121
indicator light ...................12, 121
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................110
Fuel ............................................189 calculating fuel economy .......194
cap .....................................14, 193
capacity ...................................212
choosing the right fuel ...........192
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................197
detergent in fuel .....................193
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................189, 193, 195
filter, specifications ................194
fuel pump shut-off switch .....134
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........194
low fuel warning light ................9
octane rating ...................192, 214
quality ......................................192
running out of fuel .................193
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................189
Fuses ..................................135±136
G
Garage door opener ....................47
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......14, 193
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................194
Gauges .........................................15 engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................16 tachometer ................................16
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....124 calculating ...............................126
definition .................................124
driving with a heavy load ......124
location ....................................124
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................124 calculating .......................124, 126
definition .................................124
driving with a heavy load ......124
location ....................................124
H
Hazard flashers .........................134
Head restraints ...........................69
Headlamps ...................................49 aiming ......................................205
bulb specifications ..................204
daytime running lights .............49
flash to pass ..............................50
high beam ...........................11, 50
replacing bulbs .......................200
turning on and off ....................49
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................20 heating and air conditioning
system .......................................20
Hood ..........................................162
I
Ignition .................................39, 214
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .................93±94
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................199
Index
227