2004 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK engine coolant

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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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
Winter Driving
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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
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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
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7-14
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage,
or if coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-15).
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
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8-1
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction
................................................................................... 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance
................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ................................. 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ..................... 8-7
Owner Maintenance
.................................................................... 8-10
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-10
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-11
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-12
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-13
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-15
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-18
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-20
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-21
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-22
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-23
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-24
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-28
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-31
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-36
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-46
Appearance Care
......................................................................... 8-51
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-51
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-53
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-57
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Schedule 1
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
: Lubricate
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
*1:According to state / provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage / kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or
kilometers (miles), whichever
comes first)Months 6 12182430364248
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
Engine valve clearanceA u d i b l e i n s p e c t e v e r y 1 2 0 , 0 0 0 k m ( 7 5 , 0 0 0 m i l e s ) ,
if noisy, adjust
Drive belts (tension)I
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years ;
after that, every 2 years
Air filterR
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
Spark plugsReplace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Brake lines, hoses and connectionsII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation)Rotate every 12,000km (7,500miles)
Steering operation and linkagesII
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 hingesLLLLLLLL
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