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
4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine
oil (page 8-10).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze —but don ’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer
fluid (page 8-20).
• Don ’t use the parking brake if it might
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Snow Tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don ’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 28 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm 2, 4
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver’ s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle ’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 9 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer .............................................................................................................5-20
2 Odometer and Trip Meter .........................................................................................5-20
3 Tachometer ...............................................................................................................5-21
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ........................................................................5-21
5 Fuel Gauge ................................................................................................................5-22
Meters and Gauges
J94S.book Page 19 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;
The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
0
Red zone 2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
10).
Normal range
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 21 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
7-11
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious, carefully
add coolant as required (page 8-13).
Cooling System Caps:When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’t remove either
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made.
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant reservoir2.5-liter engine
WARNING
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 11 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-1
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction ................................................................................. 8- 2
Introduction ............................................................................. 8- 2
Scheduled Maintenance .............................................................. 8- 3
Scheduled Maintenance ........................................................... 8- 3
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8- 7
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8- 7
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8- 8
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8- 9
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-10
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-13
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-15
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-17
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-18
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-20
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-21
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-21
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-22
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-24
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-25
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-29
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-35
Appearance Care ......................................................................... 8-40
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-40
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-42
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-45
J94S.book Page 1 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