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8-11
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions
only for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you’re unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Maintenance Procedures:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures. If you lack
sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the
work, have it done by a qualified technician.
Running the Engine:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Therefore, if you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and
all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or
cooling fan which may turn on unexpectedly.
Electrical Fan and Engine Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition switch in the ON position is dangerous. The
cooling fan could come on unexpectedly even when the engine isn’t running. You
could be seriously injured by the fan. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you inspect the engine.
WARNING
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8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil
dipstick
Fuse block
Air filter
Battery
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Engine oil-filler cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Main fuse
Automatic transaxle fluid-level
dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
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8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Recommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
The quality designation SL
or ILSAC
must be on the label.
Energy conserving oils are recommended.
A chief contribution they make to fuel
economy is reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It’s OK between MIN and MAX.
But if it’s near or below MIN, add
enough oil to bring the level to MAX.
6. Make sure the O-ring is positioned
properly before reinserting the
dipstick.
The distance between MIN and MAX on
the dipstick represents the following:
Engine Oil
FORGASOLINEENGINES
(ILSAC)
–30–20–100 1020304050
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-20Don’t add engine oil over MAX. This
may cause engine damage.
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.75 (0.79, 0.66)
OK Full
Low
OK Full
Low Type A
Type B
CAUTION
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
Changing engine oil
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil
into a suitable container.
3. Replace the drain plug washer after the
oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Reinstall the plug tightly.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
7. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
8. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
Check the oil level and fill to the MAX
mark if necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
Remove any oil splatter from the
exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe and
the shield. Oil left on these areas will
smoke when the engine is running.
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don’t check or
change the engine oil when the
engine is hot.
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
FrontLoosen
Drain plugTighten
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8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Inspecting Coolant Level
NOTE
•The indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
•Use only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
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. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the
ignition switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could
turn on unexpectedly even when the
engine isn’t running. You could be
seriously injured by the fan. Turn the
ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you
inspect the engine.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’t remove the
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
WARNING
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8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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. •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.
CAUTIONPower 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
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8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
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. The
fluid level can be seen from the fluid
column in the pipe. 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.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.
NOTE
Front and rear washer fluid is supplied
from the same reservoir.
Body Lubrication
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10-4
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Specifications
Engine
Electrical System
Lubricant Quality
* Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-13.
Specifications
ItemModel
2.0-liter engine 2.3-liter engine
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore×
Stroke 87.5 ×
83.1 mm (3.44 ×
3.27 in) 87.5 ×
94.0 mm (3.44 ×
3.70 in)
Displacement 1,999 ml (1,999 cc, 121.9 cu in) 2,261 ml (2,261 cc, 137.9 cu in)
Compression ratio 10.0 9.7
Item Classification
Battery 12V-40AH/5HR, 12V-52AH/5HR, 12V-55AH/5HR
Alternator 12 V - 90 A
Starter2.0-liter engine 12 V - 1.0 kW
2.3-liter engine 12 V - 1.4 kW
Spark-plug number NGK ITR6F 13
Spark-plug gap 1.25—1.35 mm (0.049—0.053 in)
NOTE
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating
on the iridium alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
LubricantClassification
API Service ILSAC
Engine oil
*SL GF-III
Lubricant Classification
Manual transaxle oilAny temperatureAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10°
C (50°
F)API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
Automatic transaxle fluid ATF M-V
Power steering fluid ATF M-III or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® III)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
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