2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 engine oil

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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8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions
only for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedure can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you’re unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Maintenance Procedures:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedure. If you lack
sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the
work, have it done by a qualified technician.
Running the Engine:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Therefore, if you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and
all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or
cooling fan, with may turn on unexpectedly.
Electrical Fan and Engine Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition switch in the ON position is dangerous. The
cooling fan could come on unexpectedly even when the engine isn’t running. You
could be seriously injured by the fan. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you inspect the engine.
WARNING
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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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8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Recommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
The quality designation 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
FORGASOLINEENGINES
(ILSAC)
–30–20–100 1020304050
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-20
Using oils of viscosity besides those
recommended for specific temperature
ranges could result in engine damage.
CAUTION
OKFull
Low 2.3-liter engine
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8-11
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It’s OK between MIN and MAX.
But if it’s near or below MIN, add
enough oil to bring the level to MAX.
6. Make sure the O-ring is positioned
properly before reinserting the
dipstick.

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.
Don’t add engine oil over MAX. This
may cause engine damage.
Full
OK
Low 3.0-liter engine
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.
Remove any oil splatter from the
exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe and
the shield. Oil left on these areas will
smoke when the engine is running.
WARNING
CAUTION
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8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Changing engine oil1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil
into a suitable container.
3. Replace the plug tightly after the oil
has thoroughly drained.
4. Fill the engine with new oil to the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
5. Securely replace the oil-filler cap.
6. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
7. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
Check the oil level and fill to the MAX
mark if necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)

Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
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
FrontLoosen
Drain plugTighten 2.3-liter engine
Tighten
Loosen
Front
Drain plug3.0-liter engineNOTE
•
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.
•
Use only specified engine oil (page
10-3).
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8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
2.3-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
3.0-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
3. Remove the filler cap and attached
dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid
if necessary.
Don’t overfill.

If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don’t operate the vehicle for
long periods when the power steering
fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-3).
CAUTION
High
OK
LowTighten
Loosen
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8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood’s secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.

Replacing the Air Filter
1. Unfasten the clamps.
Body LubricationAir Filter
Don’t drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
CAUTION
Clamp 2.3-liter engine
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