2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 wheel

8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Replacing a Wheel
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
Using a Wrong-Sized Wheel:Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident. Always use
wheels of the correct size on your
vehicle.
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect
•
Ti r e fit
•
Wheel and bearing life
•
Ground clearance
•
Snow-chain clearance
•
Speedometer calibration
•
Headlight aim
•
Bumper height
WARNING
CAUTION
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 28 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

8-44
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.

Bright-Metal Maintenance
•
Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
•
To prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
•
During cold weather or in coastal
areas, cover bright-metal parts with a
coating of wax or preservative heavier
than usual. It would also help to coat
them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly
or some other protective compound.

Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also to
do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting. If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
Don’t use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Driving with Wet Brakes:Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 44 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

8-45
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Aluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.

Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They’ll damage and discolor
it. If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.

Cleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leather
Real leather isn’t uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
Wipe it with a damp
soft cloth; then dry
and buff it with a dry
soft cloth.
NOTE
•
Don’t use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminum
wheels. They may damage the
coating.
•
Only use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge
or soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or
cold water. Also, be sure to clean
the wheels after driving on dusty or
salted roads. This helps prevent
corrosion.
•
Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
•
If your aluminum wheels lose
luster, wax the wheels.
Interior Care
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
CAUTION
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 45 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

9-14
Customer Information
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.

Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.

Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
WARNING
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 14 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

10-4
Specifications
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Capacities
(Approximate Quantities)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.

Dimensions
*116 inch wheel vehicle*217 inch wheel vehicle

We i g h t s

Air Conditioner
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil2.3-liter engineWith oil filter
replacement4.3 4.5 3.8
Without oil filter
replacement3.9 4.1 3.4
3.0-liter engineWith oil filter
replacement5.2 5.5 4.6
Without oil filter
replacement4.7 5.0 4.1
Coolant2.3-liter engine 7.5 7.9 6.6
3.0-liter engine 10.2 10.8 9.0
Manual transaxle oil2.3-liter engine 2.87 3.0 2.5
3.0-liter engine 2.3 2.4 2.0
Automatic transaxle fluid2.3-liter engine 7.2 7.6 6.3
3.0-liter engine 9.2 9.7 8.1
Fuel tank 68 18.0 (US gal) 15.0 (Imp gal)
Item Model
Overall length 4,745 mm (186.8 in)
Overall width 1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Overall height 1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Front tread
1,540mm
*1(60.6in), 1,530mm*2(60.2in)
Rear tread
1,540mm*1(60.6in), 1,530mm*2(60.2in)
Wheelbase 2,675 mm (105.3 in)
Item Weight
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,958 kg (4,317 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 1,070 kg (2,359 lb)
Rear 888 kg (1,958 lb)
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.5 kg (17.6 oz)
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 4 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
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 5 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

11-6
Index
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
S
Sunroof ............................................ 3-18
Sunshade
.......................................... 3-19
Sunvisors
.......................................... 6-43
T
Tachometer ...................................... 5-25
Temporary Spare Tire
...................... 8-27
Theft-Deterrent System
................... 3-22
Tiedown
Hook
......................................... 7-18
Tires
Flat tire
........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure
...................... 8-25
Replacement
............................. 8-27
Rotation
.................................... 8-26
Snow tires
................................... 4-8
Spare tire and tool storage
.......... 7-3
Specifications
........................... 10-5
Tire chains
.................................. 4-8
Uniform tire quality grading
system (UTQGS)
...................... 9-14
Tool
.................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description
............................... 7-17
Emergency towing
.................... 7-17
Recreational towing
.................. 7-18
Trailer towing
........................... 4-10
Traction Control System (TCS)
....... 5-20
TCS indicator light
................... 5-21
TCS OFF indicator light
........... 5-21
TCS OFF switch
....................... 5-22
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-10
Trip Meter
........................................ 5-24
Trunk Lid
......................................... 3-10
Trunk Light
...................................... 3-12
Trunk Release lever
......................... 3-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
....... 5-38
V
Vanity Mirrors .................................. 6-43
Vehicle Information Labels
............. 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................ 5-27
ABS
........................................... 5-31
Air bag system
.......................... 5-32
Automatic transaxle
.................. 5-33
Brake system
............................. 5-29
Charging system
....................... 5-30
Check engine
............................. 5-31
Door-ajar
................................... 5-33
Engine oil pressure
.................... 5-30
Front seat belt pretensioner
system
....................................... 5-32
Low fuel
.................................... 5-32
Low washer fluid level
............. 5-33
Seat belt
..................................... 5-32
Warranty
............................................. 9-8
Washer Fluid
.................................... 8-19
Weights
............................................ 10-4
Wheel Replacement
......................... 8-28
Windows
Power windows
......................... 3-14
Windshield Washer
.......................... 5-40
Windshield Wipers
........................... 5-40
Blades replacement
................... 8-22
Winter Driving
...................................4-8
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 6 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM