
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
Introduction
5

GAUGES
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº).
If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine immediately and let the engine cool.Refer to
Engine coolant in theMaintenance and care chapter.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot, this may result in serious burns.
NOTE: This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not
the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge
indication will not be accurate.
CHECK FUELCAP
Instrumentation
15

STARTING THE ENGINE
NOTE:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
1. Turn the key to 4 (START) without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will
return to 3 (ON).
2. If the temperature is above ±12ÉC (10ÉF) and the engine
does not start within five
seconds on the first try, turn the
key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and
try again.
3. If the temperature is below -12É C (10É F) and the engine does not start in 15 seconds on the first try, turn the key OFF and wait 10
seconds and try again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
press the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and hold. Turn the
key to START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine speeds up.
5. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23ÉC
(-10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle. WARNING: To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
4
3
2
1
Starting
105

NOTE:State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may
restrict the use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze
additive. Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should
be used only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.WARNING: Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant
reservoir. Washer fluid placed in the cooling system may harm
engine and cooling system components.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the service maintenance section. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014±R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in the Adding Engine Coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50±50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
² freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
² boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
² protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
² an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
Maintenance and care
171

If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage).
Recycled engine coolant
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets
Mazda recommend coolants. Use of a recycled engine coolant
which does not meet the Mazda recommended coolant, may harm
engine and cooling system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
to Refill capacities in theCapacities and specifications chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in Adding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
² it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
² NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
² increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
² refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
² it is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
² NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
Maintenance and care
175

²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
² decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
² refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the service maintenance
section for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCON tAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Maintenance and care
176

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