5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
1 Speedometer ............................................................................................................. 5-27
2 Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector ........................................................ 5-27
3 Tachometer ............................................................................................................... 5-28
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ........................................................................ 5-29
5 Fuel Gauge ............................................................................................................... 5-29
6 Instrument Cluster Dimmer Select Button (Black-out meter) ................................. 5-30
Meters and Gauges
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5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-13).
CAUTION
Low fuel
warning light
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 29 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
7-13
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
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.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
Overheating
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.
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
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
I
: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
C
: Clean
*1:Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2: If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often
than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*3:If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often
than the recommended intervals.
*4:If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle
is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
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
Engine valve clearanceAudible inspect every 120,000km (75,000miles), if noisy, adjust
Drive belts
*1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Engine oil*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling systemIIIIIIII
Engine coolantReplace every 2 years
Air filter
*3CCRCCRCC
Spark plugsReplace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Fuel filterRRRR
Fuel lines and hosesIIIIIIII
Evaporative system
(if installed)IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravityIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connectionsIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*4IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brakeIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit
(Brake booster) and hosesIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 8 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 MAX and MIN
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
If it’s at or near MIN, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to MAX.
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).
For mixture percentage:
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
CAUTION
•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.
ProtectionVo l u m e
Antifreeze
solutionDemineralized
water
Above -16°
C (3°
F) 35% 65%
Above -26°
C (-15°
F) 45% 55%
Above -40°
C (-40°
F) 55% 45%
CAUTION
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8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
To change coolant1. 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.
Properly dispose of the used coolant.
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 mixture
and water as necessary to provide
freezing and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
mixture percentage recommended in
the coolant mixture percentage table.
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.
Removing the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap
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.
Wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and slowly turn it counterclockwise
about two and a half rotations.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you’re sure all the pressure has
escaped, turn the cap
counterclockwise — still using a cloth
— and remove the cap.
WARNINGLoosen
Loosen Tighten
Tighten
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11-3
Index
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-30
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-47
Defroster
Rear window
............................. 5-52
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-7
Driving In Flooded Area
.................. 4-12
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-7
Automatic transaxle
.................. 5-16
Break-in period
........................... 4-7
Driving in flooded area
............. 4-12
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-8
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-9
Winter driving
............................. 4-9
E
Emergency Starting .......................... 7-15
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-15
Jump-starting
............................ 7-16
Push-starting
............................. 7-19
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-20
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant
...................................... 8-15
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-5
Hood release
............................. 3-20
Oil
............................................. 8-13
Overheating
............................... 7-13
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
...... 8-12
Engine Coolant
Overheating
............................... 7-13
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
............................................... 5-29
Exhaust Gas
....................................... 4-5
Exterior Care
.................................... 8-53
F
Flasher
Hazard warning
.........................5-53
Headlights
.................................5-44
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
.....................................7-6
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Flexible Floor Board
........................6-45
Fluids
Classification
.............................10-4
Owner maintenance
...................8-10
Fog Lights
........................................5-48
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front Seats
..........................................2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap
.......................3-19
Gauge
........................................5-29
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-46
Panel description
.......................8-48
Replacement
..............................8-46
G
Gauges ..............................................5-26
Glove Box
........................................6-42
H
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................5-53
Hazardous Driving
.............................4-8
Headlights
Control
......................................5-44
Flashing
.....................................5-46
High-low beam
..........................5-46
Leveling
....................................5-46
On reminder
..............................5-45
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM