5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
TCS Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. It flashes when the
system regulates engine torque.
If the light stays on, take your vehicle to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The traction
control system may have a malfunction.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light in the fuel gauge
signals that the fuel tank will soon be
empty.
Get fuel as soon as possible.
Low Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
This warning light reveals that little
windshield washer fluid remains. Add
fluid (page 8-20).
Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
• The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
• The engine ’s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
NOTE
•In addition to the TCS warning light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the traction control
system is operating properly.
• On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the traction
control system is on.
J94S.book Page 27 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Emergency Starting
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and hold it there.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold it there —for up to 10
seconds. If the engine starts, release the
key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it without using the accelerator—for up
to 10 seconds. Jump-starting is dangerous if done
incorrectly. So follow the procedure
carefully. If you feel unsure about jump-
starting, we strongly recommend that you
have a competent service technician do
the work.
Starting a Flooded EngineJump-Starting
Battery-Related Explosion:Flames and sparks near open battery
cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas,
produced during normal battery
operation, could ignite and cause the
battery to explode. An exploding
battery can cause serious burns and
injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from
open battery cells.
Low Fluid Level or Frozen Battery:
Jump-starting a frozen battery or one
with a low fluid level is dangerous. It
may rupture or explode, causing
serious injury.
Don’
t jump-start a frozen battery or
one with a low fluid level.
Use only a 12 V booster system. You
can damage a 12 V starter, ignition
system, and other electrical parts
beyond repair with a 24 V power
supply (two 12 V batteries in series or
a 24 V motor generator set).
WARNING
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 12 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Schedule 1
I : Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.) R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*1: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first Months 6 12182430364248
×1000 Km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
(×1000 Miles) (7.5) (15) (22.5) (30) (37.5) (45) (52.5) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine timing belt Inspect at 96,000km (60,000miles)
Replace every 168,000km (105,000miles)
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Idle speed II
Air filter RR
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs 2.0-liter engine
(non-PLATINUM tipped type)
RR
2.5-liter engine
(PLATINUM tipped type) Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Disc brakes II
Drum brakes II
Steering operation and linkages II
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body II
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Refrigerant amount (if installed) IIII
Compressor operation (if installed) IIII
08.fm Page 4 Monday, June 25, 2001 5:12 PM
8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Schedule 2
I : Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.) R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*1: According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2: If the vehicle is operated in cold districts { below –18 degrees C (0 degrees F) }, replace the timing belt at 96,000km (60,000miles).
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 Km 8 1624324048566472808896
(×1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine timing belt
*2Inspect at 96,000km (60,000miles)
Replace every 168,000km (105,000miles)
Engine oil Puerto Rico
Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
others RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speed II
Air filter I
*1RI *1R
Fuel lines and hoses*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs 2.0-liter engine
(non-PLATINUM tipped type)
RR
2.5-liter engine
(PLATINUM tipped type) Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Drum brakes II
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body IIII
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
08.fm Page 5 Monday, June 25, 2001 5:12 PM
8-7
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-15)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-13)
• Engine oil level (page 8-11)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-20)
At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-26)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-18)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-17)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-21)
• Engine coolant (page 8-13)
• Engine oil (page 8-11)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J94S.book Page 7 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Recommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
The quality designation SG, SH, SJ, SL,
or ILSAC must be on the label.
Engine oil viscosity, or thickness, has an
effect on fuel economy and cold-weather
operation (starting and oil flow).
Low-viscosity engine oils can provide
improved fuel economy and cold-weather
performance.
But high-temperature weather conditions
require higher-viscosity engine oils for
satisfactory lubrication. When choosing an oil, consider the
temperature range your vehicle will
operate in before the next oil change.
Then select the recommended viscosity
from this chart.
Energy conserving oils are recommended.
A chief contribution they make to fuel
economy is reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.
Engine Oil
SAEFORGASOLINEENGINES10W-30
(ILSAC)
–30 –20 –100 1020304050
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-30
10W-30
Using oils of viscosity besides those
recommended for specific temperature
ranges could result in engine damage.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 10 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-25
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Battery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
• Keep it securely mounted.
• Keep the top clean and dry.
• Keep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
• Rinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
• If the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables. For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
Tires
Using Different Tire Types:Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except when using the temporary
spare tire, use only the same type tires
(radial, bias-belted, bias-type) on all
four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-6)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 25 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Tire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (page 10-
6).
Incorrect Tire Inflation:Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident. Always inflate
the tires to the correct pressure (page
10-6).
WARNING
NOTE
• Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don ’t
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
• Underinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy and poor sealing of
the tire bead, which will deform the
wheel and cause separation of tire
from rim.
• Overinflation can produce a harsh
ride and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the
correct levels. If one frequently
needs inflating, have it inspected.
J94S.book Page 26 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM