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8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................ 8-3
Owner Maintenance ..................................................................... 8-7
Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-7
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-8
Engine Compartment Overview ................................................ 8-9
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-10
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-12
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-15
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-16
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-17
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-18
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-19
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-20
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-21
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-26
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-27
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-31
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-38
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-43
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-43
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-45
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-48
8-1
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qSchedule 1
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×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
Drive belts (tension)2.3-liter engine I
3.0-liter engine I I
Engine valve clearance (2.3-liter engine)Audible inspect every 120,000km (75,000miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oil R R R R R R R R
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantReplace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes I I I I
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000km (7,500miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if installed)
Cabin air filter Replace every 40,000kms (25,000miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
Remarks
*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.
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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qSchedule 2
Maintenance IntervalNumber 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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension)2.3-liter engine I
3.0-liter engine I I
Engine valve clearance (2.3-liter engine) Audible inspect every 120,000km (75,000miles), if noisy, adjust
Engine oilPuerto Rico Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
Others R R R R R R RRRRRR
Engine oil filter R R R R R R RRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantReplace at first 168,000km (105,000miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level I I I I I I IIIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filterPuerto Rico R R
Others R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugsUSA Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Others
*2Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I I I I IIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000km (5,000miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear I I I I I I IIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L LLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-5
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Owner Maintenance Schedule
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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-15)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-12)
lEngine oil level (page 8-10)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-18)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-28)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-17)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-16)
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.
lAir filter (page 8-20)
lEngine coolant (page 8-12)
lEngine oil (page 8-11)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-7
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Engine Compartment Overview
Power steering
fluid reservoirWindshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block
Air filter Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir Engine coolant
reservoir
Engine coolant
reservoirAutomatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle) Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle) 2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
Battery Engine oil dipstick
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Power steering
fluid reservoir Cooling system capEngine oil-filler cap
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Air filter
Fuse blockBattery
Engine oil-filler cap Engine oil dipstickCooling system cap
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Drain plug Front LoosenTighten 3.0-liter engine
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.)
NOTE
lThe indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
lUse only specified engine oil (page
10-3).
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
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 EngineInspection:
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.
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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 FULL or F and
LOW or L marks on the coolant reservoir
when the engine is cool.
2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
If it's at or near LOW or L, add enough
coolant to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL or F.
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qChanging Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol or
methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
For mixture percentage:
ProtectionVolume
Antifreeze
solutionDemineralizedwater
Above–16°C (3°F) 35% 65%
Above–26°C (–15°F) 45% 55%
Above–40°C (–40°F) 55% 45%
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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To change coolant
WARNING
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 to the
first stop (3.0-liter engine) or about
two and a half rotations (2.3-liter
engine).
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap (3.0-liter
engine)—still using a cloth—turn
the cap, and remove it.
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2.3-liter engine
Loosen
Tighten
Loosen Tighten
3.0-liter engine Loosen
Tighten
Tighten
Loosen
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.
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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