
Black plate (262,1)
Air Filter
CAUTION
Don't drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.
qReplacing the Air Filter
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
1. Unfasten the clamps .
Clamp 2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
Clamp
2. Tilt or lift the air filter cover and
remove the filter.
2.3-liter engine
Air filter cover
Air filter
3.0-liter engine
Air filter cover
Air filter
3. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
4. Clean or replace the filter.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (281,1)
3. Pull the fuse straight out with the fuse
puller provided on the fuse block
located in the engine compartment.
Fuse puller
Engine compartment fuse box
4. Inspect it and replace if it's blown.
NormalBlown
5. Push in a new fuse of the same
amperage rating, and make sure it fits
tightly. If it doesn't, have an Authorized
Mazda Dealer install it.
If you have no spare fuses, borrow one
of the same rating from a circuit not
essential to vehicle operation, such as
the SPARE circuit.
CAUTION
Always replace a fuse with one of the
same rating. Otherwise you may
damage the electric system.
Replacing the fuses under the hood
If the headlights or other electrical
components don't work and the fuses in
the cabin are OK, inspect the fuse block
under the hood. If a fuse is blown, it must
be replaced. Follow these steps:
1. Turn off the ignition switch and all
other switches.
2. Remove the fuse block cover.
Fuse block cover
Tab
3. If a fuse is blown, replace it with a new
oneof the same amperage rating.
Normal
Blown
NOTE
To replace the MAIN fuse, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 8-40).
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-39
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How to Minimize
Environmental Paint
Damage
The paintwork on your Mazda represents
the latest technical developments in
composition and methods of application.
Environmental hazards, however, can
harm the paint's protective properties, if
proper care is not taken.
Here are some examples of possible
damage, with tips on how to prevent
them.
qEtching Caused by Acid Rain or
Industrial Fallout
Occurrence
Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions
drift into the air and mix with rain or dew
to form acids. These acids can settle on a
vehicle's finish. As the water evaporates,
the acid becomes concentrated and can
damage the finish.
And the longer the acid remains on the
surface, the greater the chance is for
damage.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you suspect that acid rain has settled on
your vehicle's finish.
qDamage Caused by Bird
Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap
Occurrence
Bird droppings contain acids. If these
aren't removed they can eat away the clear
and color base coat of the vehicle's
paintwork.
When insects stick to the paint surface
and decompose, corrosive compounds
form. These can erode the clear and color
base coat of the vehicle's paintwork if
they are not removed.
Tree sap will harden and adhere
permanently to the paint finish. If you
scratch the sap off while it is hard, some
vehicle paint could come off with it.
Prevention
It is necessary to have your Mazda
washed and waxed to preserve its finish
according to the instructions in this
section. This should be done as soon as
possible.
Bird droppings can be removed with a
soft sponge and water. If you are traveling
and these are not available, a moistened
tissue may also take care of the problem.
The cleaned area should be waxed
according to the instructions in this
section.
Insects and tree sap are best removed with
a soft sponge and water or a commercially
available chemical cleaner.
Another method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one to
two hours. After removing the newspaper,
rinse off the loosened debris with water.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-43
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Black plate (286,1)
qWater Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these
minerals settles on the vehicle and
evaporates, the minerals will concentrate
and harden to form white rings. The rings
can damage your vehicle's finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you find water marks on your vehicle's
finish.
qPaint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tires hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of
having your paint chipped by flying
gravel.
NOTE
lThe paint chipping zone varies with
the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when traveling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).
lIn low temperatures a vehicle's finish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
lChipped paint can lead to rust
forming on your Mazda. Before this
happens, repair the damage by using
Mazda touch-up paint according to
the instructions in this section.
Failure to repair the affected area
could lead to serious rusting and
expensive repairs.
8-44
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Exterior Care
Followalllabel and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
qMaintaining the Finish
Washing
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
lThe vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
lThe vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
lThe vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
lCleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
lMazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
lScratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
lRinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
lUse plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
lRub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
lTake your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
lDon't use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
CAUTION
lDon't use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may damage
the protective coating; also, cleaners
and detergents may discolor or
deteriorate the paint.
lTo prevent damaging the antenna,
remove it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-45
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Black plate (290,1)
Interior Care
qDashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
Wipe it with adampsoft cloth; then dry
and buff it with adrysoft cloth.
Fabricí
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.To keep the fabric looking clean and
fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
will be affected, it can be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners and
procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
qCleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Damaged Seat Belt:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection. Have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer replace damaged belts
immediately.
8-48
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Appearance Care
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Black plate (308,1)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
qTread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
qTraction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
qTemperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
9-16
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
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Black plate (309,1)
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires over the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.
The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicles may vary
with respect to grade.
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND
TO ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
qUniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
UTQGS MARK (example)
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
9-17
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K