WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief
cap. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid
can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, run the engine for a few minutes to
mix the coolant. Check the coolant concentration. Make sure the engine
is off and cool before removing the coolant pressure relief cap (see
preceding steps on cap removal). Check the concentration per the
Checking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34ÉF/±36ÉC), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentraction. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage).
Maintenance and Specifications
212
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
²The
indicator may come on. For more information on the ªCheck
Engineº indicator, refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Pull the fuel filler door release handle to open the fuel filler door.
3. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
4. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
5. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
6. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
After refueling, if the ªCHECK FUEL CAPº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it securely. The indicator should turn off after
three driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city/highway
driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Mazda fuel filler cap is not used.
Maintenance and Specifications
218
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and Specifications
221
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the service maintenance
section for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. Do not
add fluid if the level is in this
range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines.
Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
MAXMIN
Maintenance and Specifications
224
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance section for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine
compartmentin this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the crosshatch zone for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
Maintenance and Specifications
226
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................125
Accessory delay ..........................61
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..................99, 104
and child safety seats ............101
description ........................99, 104
disposal ............................103, 107
driver air bag ..................101, 106
indicator light .................103, 107
operation .........................101, 106
passenger air bag ...........101, 106
side air bag ..............................104
Air cleaner filter ...............228±229
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................44
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................137
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................209
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................125±126
Anti-theft system ........................78
arming the system ....................78
disarming a triggered system ..78
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 27
Automatic transaxle
driving with .............................131
fluid, adding ............................226
fluid, checking ........................226
Automatic transmission ............128
fluid, refill capacities ..............234
Auxiliary power point .................59Axle
refill capacities ........................234
B
Battery .......................................207
acid, treating emergencies .....207
jumping a disabled battery ....169
maintenance-free ....................207
servicing ..................................207
Brakes ........................................124
anti-lock ...........................125±126
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................126
fluid, checking and adding ....225
fluid, refill capacities ..............234
fluid, specifications .................236
lubricant specifications ..........236
parking ....................................126
shift interlock ..........................128
Break-in period .............................4
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Calculating load ........................149
Capacities for refilling fluids ....234
Cargo area shade ........................66
CD-single .....................................17
Cell phone warning ...................239
Certification Label ....................238
Child safety restraints ..............108
child safety belts ....................108
Child safety seats ......................112
attaching with tether straps ..116
in front seat ............................113
in rear seat ..............................113
Index
240
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............188
instrument panel ....................190
interior .....................................190
interior trim ............................190
Mazda car care products .......191
plastic parts ............................189
washing ....................................187
waxing .....................................187
wheels ......................................188
wiper blades ............................189
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............44
Clock ......................................26, 39
Clutch
fluid ..........................................228
operation while driving ..........134
recommended shift speeds ....135
Console ........................................66
overhead ....................................58
Controls
power seat .................................81
Coolant
checking and adding ..............209
refill capacities ................213, 234
specifications ..........................236
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................62
Customer
Assistance ..................176±177, 180
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................48
Defrost
rear window ..............................47Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................226
engine oil .................................203
Driving under special
conditions ..................133, 140, 143
sand .........................................142
snow and ice ...........................144
through water .................142, 147
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................169
Emission control system ..........222
Engine ........................................236
cleaning ...................................188
coolant .....................................209
idle speed control ...................207
lubrication specifications .......236
refill capacities ........................234
service points ..................200±201
Engine block heater .................123
Engine oil ..................................203
checking and adding ..............203
dipstick ....................................203
filter, specifications ................206
recommendations ...................206
refill capacities ........................234
specifications ..........................236
Exhaust fumes ..........................123
F
Fluid capacities .........................234
Foglamps .....................................48
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
description ..............................138
driving off road .......................139
indicator light .........................138
Index
241
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........120
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................51
cargo lamps ...............................49
daytime running light ...............48
fog lamps ...................................48
headlamps .................................48
headlamps, flash to pass ..........49
instrument panel, dimming .....49
interior lamps .....................50±51
replacing bulbs ...................51±55
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Liftgate ........................................67
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........126
Load limits .................................147
GAWR ......................................147
GVWR ......................................147
trailer towing ..........................147
Loading instructions .................149
Locks
childproof ..................................70
doors ..........................................69
Lubricant specifications ...........236
Lumbar support, seats .........80±81
M
Manual transaxle .......................134
fluid, checking and adding ....228
reverse .....................................136Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................234
Mirrors ...................................59, 61
fold away ...................................62
heated ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......61
Moon roof ....................................66
Motorcraft parts ........................219
O
Octane rating ............................217
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................203
Overdrive ...................................130
Overheating ...............................162
P
Parking .......................................136
Parking brake ............................126
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................159
Power door locks ........................69
Power point ...........................59±60
Power Seats .................................81
Power steering ..........................127
fluid, checking and adding ....224
fluid, refill capacity ................234
fluid, specifications .................236
Power Windows ...........................60
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................128
R
Radio ......................................17, 27
Radio reception .....................42±43
Index
243