2003 MAZDA MODEL PROTÉGÉ coolant level

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirror
(s), and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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7-13
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine. Then turn the ignition
switch to the ON position without
starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools. If this doesn’t lower the
temperature, stop the engine and let it
cool.
5. Check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator, and water
pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking, stop the engine
and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious, carefully
add coolant as required (page 8-12).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Schedule 2
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R
: Replace
L
: Lubricate
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)
*1 According to state 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 period to ensure long-term reliability
*2 If the vehicle is operated in cold districts { below -18 degrees C (0 degrees F) }, replace the timing belt at
96,000 km (60,000 miles).
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
Engine valve clearanceI
Engine timing belt
*2Inspect at 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Replace every 168,000 km (105,000 miles)
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine oilPuerto RicoReplace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantReplace at first 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speedII
Air filter
I
*1R
I*1R
Fuel lines and hoses*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugsRR
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connectionsII
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakesII
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball jointsII
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and bodyIIII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Refrigerant amountIIII
Compressor operationIIII
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
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 8-14)
•Engine coolant level (page 8-12)
•Engine oil level (page 8-9)
•Washer fluid level (page 8-18)

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 8-16)
•Power steering fluid level (page 8-16)
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 8-19)
•Engine coolant (page 8-12)
•Engine oil (page 8-10)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Engine coolant reservoir
Air filter
Cooling system cap Engine oil dipstick Engine oil filter 1.6-liter engine
2.0-liter engineEngine oil-filler cap
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Fuse block
Engine coolant reservoir
Air filter Cooling system cap Engine oil filter Engine oil-filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
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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
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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
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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
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