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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
8-9
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Engine Oil
qRecommended Oil
Oil container labels provide important
information.
ENGINESGASOLINE
(ILSAC)
FOR
The quality designationSLorILSAC
must be on the label.
5W-20
120 100 80
60 40
20
0 –20
50 40 30
20 10
0 –10
–20 –30
Energy conserving oils are recommended.
A chief contribution they make to fuel
economy is reducing the amount of fuel
necessary to overcome engine friction.
qInspecting 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 at least 5 minutes
for the oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
2.3-liter engine
Full
OK
Low
3.0-liter engine
Full
OK
Low
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.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over MAX. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
qChanging Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
WARNING
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
CAUTION
Remove any oil splatter from the
exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe and
the shield. Oil left on these areas will
smoke when the engine is running.
Changing engine oil
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don't check or
change the engine oil when the engine
is hot.
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the
oil into a suitable container.
3. Replace the drain plug washer after the
oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Reinstall the plug tightly.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
2.3-liter engine
Loosen
Tighten
Drain plug Front
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
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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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Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don't operate the vehicle for long
periods when the power steering fluid
level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-3).
2.3-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
3.0-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
LowOK HighLoosenTighten
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to
cool.
3. Remove the filler cap and attached
dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid
if necessary.
Don't overfill.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
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Specifications
qEngine
ItemSpecification
2.3-liter engine 3.0-liter engine
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder DOHC-24V 60°V, 6-cylinder
Bore×Stroke 87.5 × 94.0 mm (3.44 × 3.70 in) 89.0 × 79.5 mm (3.50 × 3.13 in)
Displacement 2,261 ml (2,261 cc, 137.9 cu in) 2,967 ml (2,967 cc, 181.0 cu in)
Compression ratio 9.7 10.0
qElectrical System
Item Classification
Battery 12V-50AH/5HR
Alternator2.3-liter engine 12 V - 90 A
3.0-liter engine 12 V - 110 A
Starter 12 V - 1.4 kW
Spark-plug number2.3-liter engine NGK ITR6F 13
3.0-liter engine Motorcraft AGSF 22FSCM
Spark-plug gap2.3-liter engine 1.25—1.35 mm (0.049—0.053 in)
3.0-liter engine 1.29—1.45 mm (0.051—0.057 in)
qLubricant Quality
LubricantClassification
API Service ILSAC
Engine oil
*SL GF-III
* Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-10.
Lubricant Classification
Manual transmission
oil2.3-liter engineAny temperatureAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Above 10°C (50°F)API Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 80W-90
3.0-liter engineAPI Service GL-4 or GL-5
SAE 75W-90
Automatic transaxle fluid ATF M-V
Power steering fluidATF M-III, M-V, or equivalent
(e.g. Dexron® III)
Brake fluid SAE J1703, or FMVSS116 DOT-3
Specifications
10-3
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qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oil2.3-liter
engineWith oil filter replacement 4.3 4.5 3.8
Without oil filter
replacement3.9 4.1 3.4
3.0-liter
engineWith oil filter replacement 5.7 6.0 5.0
Without oil filter
replacement5.2 5.5 4.6
Coolant2.3-liter engine 7.0 7.4 6.2
3.0-liter engine 8.5 9.0 7.5
Manual transaxle oil2.3-liter engine 2.87 3.0 2.5
3.0-liter engine 2.3 2.4 2.0
Automatic transaxle fluid2.3-liter engine 7.2 7.6 6.3
3.0-liter engine 9.2 9.7 8.1
Fuel tank 68 18.0 (US gal)15.0
(Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
qDimensions
Item Specification
Overall lengthSedan 4,745 mm (186.8 in)
Hatchback 4,745 mm
*3(186.8 in), 4,765 mm*4(187.6 in)
Wagon 4,770 mm*3(187.8 in), 4,785 mm*4(188.4 in)
Overall width 1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Overall heightSedan/Hatchback 1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Wagon 1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Front tread 1,540mm
*1(60.6in), 1,530mm*2(60.2in)
Rear tread 1,540mm*1(60.6in), 1,530mm*2(60.2in)
Wheelbase 2,675 mm (105.3 in)
*1 16 inch wheel vehicle
*2 17 inch wheel vehicle
*3 Without license plate holder
*4 With license plate holder
10-4
Specifications
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