Page 106 of 332
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
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?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•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 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. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System*
Tire pressure sensors
•When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire information placard.
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set
to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.
•To avoid false readings, the system
samples for a little while before
indicating a problem. As a result it
will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAUTION
*Some models.
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5-43
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Seat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The beep sound will be heard again for
about 6 seconds every 30 seconds, for a
period of about 5 minutes if the driver’s
seat belt is not fastened afterwards.
Refer to Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
(page 5-37).
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep sound will be heard
when the driver’s door is opened.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep sound
will be heard when the driver’s door is
opened.
Tire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beep*
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-22).
*Some models.
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Page 246 of 332
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
: Lubricate
CHASSIS and BODY
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
Brake lines, hoses and connectionsII
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (rotation)Rotate every 8,000km (5,000miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball
jointsII
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Exhaust system and heat shieldsInspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
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8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
I
: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
T
: Tighten
*5:This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper
blades), and power windows.
Maintenance
Interval
(Number of
months or
kilometers
(miles), whichever
comes first)Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles6.25 12.518.752531.2537.543.755056.2562.568.757581.2587.593.75100
Power steering fluid, lines,
hoses and connectionsIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and
linkageIIIIIIII
Manual transaxle oilR
Automatic transaxle fluid
level IIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and
ball jointsIIII
Driveshaft dust bootsIIII
Exhaust system and heat
shieldsInspect every 80,000km (50,000miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
bodyTTTTTTTT
All electrical system
*5IIIIIIII
Body condition (for rust,
corrosion and perforation)Inspect annually
Tires (including spare
tire)(with inflation pressure
adjustment)IIIIIIII
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8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 8-18)
•Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
•Engine oil level (page 8-13)
•Washer fluid level (page 8-21)
At Least Monthly
•Tire inflation pressures (page 8-31)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-20)
•Power steering fluid level (page 8-19)
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 8-23)
•Engine coolant (page 8-15)
•Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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8-31
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
Tire Inflation Pressure
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System*
does not alleviate the need to check the
tire condition every day, including
whether the tires all look inflated
properly. Inspect all tire pressure monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (page
10-8).
Tires
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-8)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident. Always inflate
the tires to the correct pressure (page
10-8).
WARNING
Tire pressure label
*Some models.
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8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)/8,000 km*
(5,000 miles) or sooner if irregular wear
develops. During rotation, inspect them
for correct balance.
*Unique driving conditions for USA,
Canada and Puerto Rico
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
•Incorrect tire pressure
•Improper wheel alignment
•Out-of-balance wheel
•Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-8) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
NOTE
•Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don’t
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
•Underinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy and poor sealing of
the tire bead, which will deform the
wheel and cause separation of tire
from rim.
•Overinflation can produce a harsh
ride and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the
correct levels. If one frequently
needs inflating, have it inspected.
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be weakened if rotated from side
to side.
Front
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 32 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM