2003 MAZDA MODEL PROTÉGÉ Owners Manual (in English)

8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

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 and LOW
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.If it’s at or near LOW, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
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
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
•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.
CAUTION
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 12 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
For mixture percentage:
To change coolantManual transaxle
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, loosen
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
3. With the drain plug loose but not fully
removed, flush out the system with
running water.
4. Drain the system completely and
retighten 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.
ProtectionVolume
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
Removing 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
LoosenTighten
Tighten
J39L_EA.book Page 13 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Automatic transaxle
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, remove
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
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
Loosen Tighten
Tighten
Brake/Clutch Fluid
J39L_EA.book Page 14 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Adding Brake/Clutch Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and cause
an accident. If you find a low fluid
level, have the brakes and clutch
inspected.
WARNING•Brake and clutch fluid will damage
painted surfaces. If brake or clutch
fluid does get on a painted surface,
wipe it off immediately.
•Using nonspecified brake and clutch
fluids (page 10-4) will damage the
systems. Mixing different fluids
will also damage them.
If the brake/clutch system
frequently requires new fluid,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 15 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
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.

Inspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. Fluid must be checked at idle
without driving at normal operating
temperature.
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine about two minutes.
Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges
and set it at P.
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 10-4).
CAUTION
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
•Low fluid level causes transaxle
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and transaxle
malfunction.
•Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transaxle malfunction and failure.
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 16 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean, and put it back.
5. Pull it out again.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale A
When the vehicle has been driven and the
fluid is at normal operating temperature,
about 65°C (150°F), the level must be
between Full and Low.
Fluid cold scale B
When the engine has not been running
and the outside temperature is about 20°C
(70°F), the level must be between Full and
Low.Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn’t pass full.
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
Full
LowA
Full
LowB
•Use the cold scale only as a
reference.
•If outside temperature is lower than
about 20°C (70°F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
•If the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect
the level only after stopping the
engine and allowing the fluid to
cool for 30 minutes.
NOTE
Inspect both sides of the dipstick for
accurate reading.
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 17 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
The top of the float should be between
FULL and LOW.Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
To inspect the washer fluid level in the
front reservoir, pull off the cap. Then,
holding your thumb over the hole in the
center of the cap, lift it straight up. There
should be fluid in the straw. Add fluid if
necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable. But use only washer fluid in
cold weather to prevent it from freezing.
Washer Fluid
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident. Use only
windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir.
WARNING
Float
Sedan
Hatchback
J39L_EA.book Page 18 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
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.A viscous paper air filter fits inside the air
cleaner housing, as shown. It’s been
specially treated and should not be
cleaned and reused. Replace it when
necessary.

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
J39L_EA.book Page 19 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM