4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside
mirror (s), and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone ’s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J94S.book Page 6 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, you experience power loss,
or you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment: Don ’t go near the front
of the vehicle. Stop the engine. Then
turn the ignition switch to the ON
position without starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping: Open the hood and idle the
engine until it cools. If this doesn ’t
lower the temperature, stop the engine
and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it’ s low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator, and water
pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking, stop the engine
and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
Cooling system cap Engine coolant reservoir
2.0-liter engine
J94S.book Page 10 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 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
8-9
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Engine Compartment Overview
2.0-liter engineAutomatic transaxle fluid-level
dipstick (only for automatic
transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery Fuse block
Engine coolant
reservoirAir filter
Cooling system cap Engine oil-filler cap
Power steering fluid
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir Engine oil dipstick
2.5-liter engine
Air filter
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant reservoir
Power steering fluid
reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Automatic transaxle fluid-level
dipstick (only for automatic
transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Engine oil-filler cap
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir Engine oil dipstick
J94S.book Page 9 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Inspecting Coolant Level
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year —at the beginning of the
winter season—and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool. If it
’s at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
Engine Coolant
Hot Engine:A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Don ’t
inspect the coolant system or add
coolant when the engine is hot.
WARNING
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
• Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant ’s effectiveness.
• Don ’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
• The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
• DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
• Don ’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
CAUTION
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 13 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
5. Fill the radiator (to the top of the filler neck) and then the coolant reservoir (to
F) with as much ethylene-glycol-based
coolant and water as necessary to
provide protection from freezing and
corrosion.
In extremely cold climates, add the
amount recommended by the coolant
manufacturer.
6. Reinstall the cooling system cap.
7. Run the engine at idle for about 10 minutes.
8. Then do this: •Run the engine at 2,500 rpm for
about 5 minutes.
• Increase the engine speed to 3,000
rpm for about 5 seconds and then
release the accelerator.
• Do this 4 or 5 times.
• Make sure the engine temperature
gauge does not reach the HOT zone.
After turning off the engine, inspect the
drain plug and the water hoses for leaks.
9. After the engine has cooled, remove the cooling system cap and inspect the
coolant level. If it ’s low, repeat steps 5
to 8.
Because this procedure requires technical
expertise, we recommend that it be done
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Mixing green coolant with orange
coolant could decrease the service life
expectancy of the coolant. Use only
genuine Mazda orange colored or
equivalent coolant.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
J94S.book Page 15 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
10-5
Specifications
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Capacities
(Approximate Quantities)
*The indicated engine oil capacities are for general reference purposes only. When adding
or changing oil, verify the engine oil level with the oil dipstick.
Dimensions
Unit: mm (in)
We i g h t s
Unit: kg (lb)
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating
Unit
Item L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil
*
2.0-liter engine with oil filter
replacement
3.5 3.7 3.1
without oil filter
replacement 3.3 3.5 2.9
2.5-liter engine with oil filter
replacement
4.0 4.2 3.5
without oil filter
replacement 3.7 3.9 3.3
Coolant 7.5 7.9 6.6
Transaxle oil Manual transaxle 2.7 2.9 2.4
Automatic
transaxle
2.0-liter engine 8.86 9.37 7.80
2.5-liter engine 8.0 8.5 7.0
Fuel tank L US gal Imp gal
64.0 16.9 14.1
Overall length 4,760 (187.4)
Overall width 1,760 (69.3)
Overall height 1,400 (55.1)
Front tread 1,500 (59.1)
Rear tread 1,490 (58.7)
Wheelbase 2,670 (105.1) Model
Item 2.0-liter engine 2.5-liter engine
GVWR 1,771 (3,904) 1,827 (4,028)
GAWR Front 959 (2,114) 1,004 (2,214)
Rear 812 (1,790) 823 (1,814)
J94S.book Page 5 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM