2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 steering

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
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 17 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

8-27
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Replacing a Tire
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.

Temporary Spare Tire
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it’s properly
inflated and stored.
The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction. It is
lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire and should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.
Maintain its pressure at 420 kPa (4.2 kgf/
cm
2 or bar, 60 psi).
Worn Tires:Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Always use tires that are in good
condition.
WARNING
New tread Worn treadTread wear indicator
•
Don’t use your temporary spare tire
rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage both
tire and rim.
•
The temporary spare tire has a tread
life of up to 5,000 km (3,000 miles),
depending on road conditions and
driving habits.
•
The temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator appears,
replace the tire with the same type
of temporary spare (page 8-27).
CAUTION
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10-3
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Specifications

Engine

Electrical System

Lubricant Quality
*Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-10.
Specifications
ItemModel
2.3-liter engine 3.0-liter engine
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder DOHC-24V 60
°V, 6-cylinder
Bore×Stroke 87.5 × 94.0 mm (3.44 × 3.70 in) 89.0 × 79.5 mm (3.50 × 3.13 in)
Displacement 2,261 ml (2,261 cc, 137.9 cu in) 2,967 ml (2,967 cc, 181.0 cu in)
Compression ratio 9.7 10.0
Item Classification
Battery 12V-50AH/5HR
Alternator2.3-liter engine 12 V - 90 A
3.0-liter engine 12 V - 110 A
Starter 12 V - 1.4 kW
Spark-plug number2.3-liter engine NGK ITR6F-13
3.0-liter engine Motorcraft AGSF 22FSCM
Spark-plug gap2.3-liter engine 1.25—1.35 mm (0.049—0.053 in)
3.0-liter engine 1.29—1.45 mm (0.051—0.057 in)
LubricantClassification
API Service ILSAC
Engine oil
*SL GF-III
Lubricant Classification
Manual transmission oil2.3-liter engineAny temperatureAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10
°C (50
°F)API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
3.0-liter engineAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Automatic transaxle fluid ATF M-V
Power steering fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® III)
Brake fluid SAE J1703, or FMVSS116 DOT-3
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 3 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

11-5
Index
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
M
Mirrors
Outside mirrors
......................... 3-25
Rearview mirror
........................ 3-26
Money-Saving Suggestions
............... 4-6
O
Odometer and Trip Meter ................ 5-24
Outside Mirrors
................................ 3-25
Overhead Console
............................ 6-52
Overhead Lights
............................... 6-44
Overheating
...................................... 7-12
Overloading
........................................ 4-9
P
Paint Damage ................................... 8-40
Parking Brake
..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency
................... 7-2
Power Door Locks
............................. 3-9
Power Steering
................................. 5-16
Fluid
.......................................... 8-17
Power Windows
............................... 3-14
Push-Starting
.................................... 7-16
R
Rear Door Child Safety Locks ........... 3-9
Rear Seat
............................................ 2-7
Rear Window Defroster
................... 5-41
Rearview Mirror
............................... 3-26
Recreational Towing
........................ 7-18
Registering Your Vehicle in
A Foreign Country
........................... 9-10
Rocking the Vehicle
........................... 4-7
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................9-16
Seat Belt System
3-point type
...............................2-13
Automatic locking
.....................2-12
Emergency locking
...................2-12
Extender
....................................2-19
Pregnant women
........................2-12
Pretensioner and load
limiting
......................................2-15
Rear-center lap/shoulder
...........2-17
Seat belt precautions
.................2-10
Warning light
............................2-20
Seats
Front seat
.....................................2-2
Rear seat
......................................2-7
Security System
Immobilizer system
...................3-20
Theft-deterrent system
..............3-22
Service Publications
.........................9-17
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
...............7-3
Specifications
...................................10-3
Speedometer
.....................................5-24
SRS Air Bags
Air bag system description
........2-38
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions
................................2-33
Warning light
............................2-44
Starting the Engine
.............................5-3
Steering Wheel
.................................3-25
Horn
..........................................5-42
Storage Compartments
.....................6-52
Center box
.................................6-52
Center console
...........................6-53
Glove box
..................................6-53
Overhead console
......................6-52
Storage pocket
...........................6-52
Storage Pocket
..................................6-52
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