2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 engine coolant

8-1
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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 ............................................................................ 8-19
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-20
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-20
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
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Schedule 1
I: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if installed)
*1According to state/provincial 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 mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability. Maintenance Interval
(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
Drive belts (tension) 2.3-liter engine
I
3.0-liter engine
II
Engine oil
RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter
RRRRRRRR
Cooling system
II
Engine coolantReplace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Air filter
R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs
Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Brake lines, hoses and connections
II
Disc brakes
IIII
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
Cabin air filter
Replace every 40,000km (25,000miles) or 24 months
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Schedule 2
I: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*1According to state/provincial 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 mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark plugs every 96,000
km(60,000 miles) or shorter.
a)Repeated short-distance driving
b)Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c)Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
Maintenance Interval
(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 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Drive belts (tension) 2.3-liter engine
I
3.0-liter engine
II
Engine oilPuerto Rico
Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
Others
RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter
RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system
II
Engine coolantReplace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level
IIIIIIIIIIII
Air filterPuerto Rico
R
Others
R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugs USA
Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Others
*2Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Function of all lights
IIIIIIIIIIII
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8-7
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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 8-10)
•
Washer fluid level (page 8-19)

At Least Monthly
•
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-25)

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 8-20)
•
Engine coolant (page 8-13)
•
Engine oil (page 8-10)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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8-9
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)
Cooling system cap Power steering
fluid reservoirWindshield washer
fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstickEngine oil-filler cap
Engine coolant
reservoirBattery
Fuse block
Air filter Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)
Engine oil-filler cap Cooling system cap
Power steering
fluid reservoir Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick Engine coolant
reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Air filter Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir 2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
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8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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 FULL or F and
LOW or L marks on the coolant reservoir
when the engine is cool.If it’s at or near LOW or L, add enough
coolant to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL or F.
Do not overfill.

If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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
2.3-liter engine
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
3.0-liter engine
CAUTION
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
For mixture percentage:To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap. •
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.
ProtectionVo l u m e
Antifreeze
solutionWa t e r
Above
−16
°C (3
°F) 35% 65%
Above
−26
°C (
−15
°F) 45% 55%
Above
−40
°C (
−40
°F) 55% 45%
CAUTIONRemoving the Cooling System Cap:Removing the cooling system cap or
drain plug while the engine is
running or hot is dangerous. This
might lead to cooling system and
engine damage and could result in
serious injury from escaping hot
coolant or steam. Turn off the engine
and wait until it’s cool. Even then, be
very careful when removing the cap
or drain plug. Wrap a thick cloth
around it and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
Loosen
Tighten
Loosen Tighten 2.3-liter engine
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8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
2. Only when the engine is cool, remove
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.
3. Flush out the system with running
water.
4. Drain the system completely. Insert
and tighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Run the engine at idle with the cooling
system cap off. Slowly add additional
coolant if necessary.
7. At this point, wait until the engine
reaches normal operating temperature;
then depress the accelerator two or
three times. Add more coolant, if
necessary, until the system is full.
8. Install the cooling system cap. Inspect
all connections for leaks. Inspect the
level in the coolant reservoir one more
time.

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.
Loosen
Tighten
Loosen Tighten
3.0-liter engine
Brake/Clutch Fluid
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