
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the
light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is
required.
If the
light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity.
Note:The
light will illuminate if vehicle refueling is conducted
with the engine running.
WARNING: Never refuel vehicle with the engine running.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components,
possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap:Momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position to ensure
your bulb is working. When this
light turns on, check the fuel filler
cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the check fuel cap light on,
can activate the
warning light. When the fuel filler cap is properly
re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a period of normal driving.
This period will vary depending on driving conditions.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
Instrument Cluster
11

²California Emission Control Warranty (if applicable)
²Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty
²Tire Warranty
NOTE:Detailed warranty information is provided with your Mazda
portfolio.
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Government regulations in the United States require that automobiles
meet specific emission regulations and safety standards. Therefore,
vehicles built for use in the United States, its territories, and Canada may
differ from those sold in other countries.
The differences may make it difficult or even impossible for your vehicle
to receive satisfactory servicing in other countries. We strongly
recommend that you NOT take your Mazda outside these areas.
You may have these problems if you do:
²Recommended fuel may be unavailable. Any kind of leaded fuel or
low-octane fuel will affect vehicle performance and damage the
emission controls and engine.
²Proper repair facilities, tools, testing equipment, and replacement
parts may not be available.
The manufacturer's warranty applies only to Mazda vehicles registered
and normally operated in the United States, its territories, and Canada.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying
Mazda Motor Corporation (Your Mazda Importer/Distributor).
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a
recall and remedy campaign. However NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or Mazda Motor
Corporation (Your Mazda Importer/Distributor).
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1 (800) 424±9393 (or 366±0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the
Hotline.
Customer Assistance
183

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
NOTE:Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized
Mazda dealer to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
NOTE:If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation
driveability problems during a cold start, try a different brand of
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not
recommended (particularly in the United States) because it may cause
these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see
your authorized Mazda dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating.
Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in
your fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world's automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers' Choiceylogo.
Cleaner air
Mazda endorses the use of reformulated ªcleaner-burningº gasolines to
improve air quality.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
217

The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
²Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
liters or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and Specifications
220

For further information on your lubrication specifications, see your
authorized Mazda dealer.
WHEEL AND TIRE SIZES
Vehicle Grade Wheel Tire Spare Wheel Spare Tire
DX 6.5JJx16 215/70R16 17x4T 135/90R17
LX-V6/ES-V6
DX-V6 ±(Puerto
Rico only)7.0JJx16 235/70R16 17x4T 145/90R17
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 2.0L DOHC I4 Zetec
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 121 181
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.22-1.32 mm
(0.048-0.052 inch)1.32-1.42 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system DIS Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.6:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4 Door mm (in.)
(1) Vehicle height/ Maximum
height*1,681 (66.2)/1,744 (68.7)*
(2) Front track / rear 1,550 (61.0)/1,530 (60.2)
(3)Overall width (body) 1,783 (70.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2,620 (103.1)
(5)Overall length 4,394 (173.0)
* Denotes a 4x4 vehicle with optional 16º tires
Maintenance and Specifications
236

preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................128
Fuel ............................................214
calculating fuel economy .......219
cap ...........................................218
capacity ...................................234
choosing the right fuel ...........216
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................222
detergent in fuel .....................217
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................214, 218±219
filter, specifications ................219
fuel filler door release ..............65
improving fuel economy ........219
octane rating ...................217, 236
quality ......................................217
running out of fuel .................218
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................214
Fuses ..........................................156
G
Garage door opener ....................59
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............218
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................219
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................147
calculating ...............................149
definition .................................147
driving with a heavy load ......147location ....................................147
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................147
calculating .......................147, 149
definition .................................147
driving with a heavy load ......147
location ....................................147
H
Hazard flashers .........................155
Head restraints .....................80, 82
Headlamps ...................................48
aiming ........................................50
bulb specifications ....................51
daytime running lights .............48
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
replacing bulbs .........................52
turning on and off ....................48
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................44
Hood ..........................................198
I
Ignition ...............................120, 236
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................112
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................223
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................190
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................49
location of components ............10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......169
Index
242

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