4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
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
J39L(02MY).book Page 5 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-11). If it’s low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains on even after you add
oil, have your vehicle towed to the nearest
service station or to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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.
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. Don’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
J39L(02MY).book Page 28 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
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
96,000 km (60,000 miles).
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
ItemNumber 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 clearanceI
Engine timing belt
*2Inspect at 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Replace every 168,000 km (105,000 miles)
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine oilExcept Puerto RicoRRRRRRRRRRRR
Puerto RicoReplace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) (or 3 months)
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantReplace at first 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speedII
Air filter
I
*1R
I *1R
Fuel lines & hoses*1II
Hoses & tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugsRR
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses & connectionsII
Brake & clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakesII
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation & linkagesII
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball jointsII
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts & nuts on chassis & bodyIIII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks & hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Refrigerant amount (if installed) IIII
Compressor operation (if installed) IIII
J39L(02MY).book Page 5 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-7
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
I
: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary . R: Replace
L
: Lubricate T
: Tightenan
*5: If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle
is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
*6: This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper
blades), and power windows.
Maintenance
Interval
Maintenance
ItemNumber of months or km (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
×1000 Km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
(×1000 Miles) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
E.G.R. system (if installed)IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level
and specific gravityIIIIIIII
Brake and clutch pedalsIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connectionsIIIIIIII
Brake fluid*
5I I IRI I IRI I IRI I IR
Clutch fluidIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Parking brakeIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hosesIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Drum brakesIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid and linesIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and gear
housingIIIIIIII
Steering linkage, tie rod ends and
armsIIIIIIII
Manual transaxle oilRR
Automatic transaxle fluid levelIIII III
Automatic transaxle fluid
RRR
Front and rear suspension and
ball jointsIIII
Driveshaft dust bootsIIII
Exhaust system heat shieldsIIII
Wheel nutsTTTTTTTT
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
bodyTTTTTTTT
All electrical system
*6 IIIIIIII
Headlight alignmentIIIII
Body condition (for rust,
corrosion and perforation)Ins
pect annually
Tires
(including spare tire, with
inflation pressure adjustment)IIIIIIII
Hinges and catchesLLLLLLLL
Road testIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
J39L(02MY).book Page 7 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
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 8-16)
•Engine coolant level (page 8-14)
•Engine oil level (page 8-11)
•Washer fluid level (page 8-20)
At Least Monthly
•Tire inflation pressures (page 8-27)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-18)
•Power steering fluid level (page 8-18)
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 8-14)
•Engine oil (page 8-12)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
J39L(02MY).book Page 8 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Engine coolant reservoir
Air filter
Cooling system cap Engine oil dipstick Engine oil filter 1.6-liter engine
1.8 and 2.0-liter enginesEngine oil-filler cap
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Engine coolant reservoir
Air filter Cooling system cap Engine oil filter Engine oil-filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
J39L(02MY).book Page 10 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-11
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
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.
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
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
Full 1.6-liter engine
Low OK
J39L(02MY).book Page 11 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It’s OK between L and F.
But if it’s near at or below L, add
enough oil to bring the level to F.
6. Make sure the O-ring is positioned
properly before reinserting the
dipstick.
The distance between L and F on the
dipstick represents the following:
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
Changing engine oil
Don’t add engine oil over F. This may
cause engine damage.
L (US qt, Imp qt) 1.0 (1.05, 0.87)
Full 1.8 and 2.0-liter engines
Low OK
CAUTION
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don’t check or
change the engine oil when the
engine is hot.
WARNING
WARNING
1.6-liter engine
Loosen Tighten
Front
Drain
plug
J39L(02MY).book Page 12 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM