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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5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it’s low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, have your vehicle towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
Don’t continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
WARNING
CAUTION
Don’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 34 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Schedule 2
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R
: Replace
L
:Lubricate
ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*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 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 1624324048566472808896
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Engine valve clearanceAudible inspect every 120,000km (75,000miles), if noisy, adjust
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine oilPuerto RicoReplace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantR e p l a c e a t f i r s t 9 6 , 0 0 0 k m ( 6 0 , 0 0 0 m i l e s ) o r 4 y e a r s ;
after that, every 2 years
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Air filterPuerto RicoRR
OthersR
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission
*1I
Spark plugsReplace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
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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
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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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8-12
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
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM