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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5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-37
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-38
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-38
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-38
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-38
Security Indicator Light 5-40
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-40
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-40
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-41
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-41
Light-On Indicator Light 5-41
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-41
Turn-Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-42
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 32 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn’t securely closed.
Low Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light*
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page 8-21).
Automatic Transaxle Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light*
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction.
If the automatic transaxle warning
light illuminates, the transaxle has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transaxle.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 38 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The fog lights help you to see as well as to
be seen.
The headlights must be turned on to turn
on the front fog lights.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the position.
To turn the front fog lights off, rotate the
fog light switch to the OFF position or
turn the headlights off.The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Fog Lights*
NOTE
•(With auto-light control)
If the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position, the front fog lights
can be turned on when the
headlights and the exterior lights are
on.
•The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Fog light switch
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing temperatures is dangerous.
The washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don’t use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don’t resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
WARNING
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 48 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
5-51
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-21). If it’s OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Rear Window Wiper
Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.
ON
— Normal
INT
— Intermittent
Rear Window Washer
To spray washer fluid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to the position. After the
switch is released, the washer will stop.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-21). If it’s OK and the
washer still doesn’t work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
(Type A)/AUTO (Type B) position, the
wipers will operate continuously until
the lever is released.
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer (5 Door)
NOTE
There are two washer positions: up and
down. In the down washer position, the
wiper will not be activated.
Rear wiper/washer switch
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 51 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
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
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
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
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 6 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM