2004 MAZDA MODEL 6 HATCHBACK engine coolant

Black plate (110,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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Black plate (113,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, 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:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with antifreeze
—but don't use engine coolant
antifreeze for washer fluid (page 8-18).
lDon'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.
qSnow Tires
WARNING
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
qTire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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Black plate (137,1)
qTCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS is operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
qTCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator light
will go out.
qTCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-21
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Black plate (139,1)
Meters and Gauges
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-24
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-24
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-25
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-25
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-26
Instrument Cluster Dimmer Select Button (Black-out meter) ............................ page 5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-23
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Black plate (141,1)
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:
lThe power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Red zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
qEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-14).
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-25
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Black plate (152,1)
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator light
will go out.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qLight-On Indicator Light (Black-
out meter)
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights are on.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn-signal lights, the
left or right turn-signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn-signal light
is operating (page 5-39).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn-signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-44).
NOTE
If an indicator light remains illuminated
(does not flash) or if it flashes
abnormally, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out.
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Black plate (234,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
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 Caps:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury. Don't remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the enginecompartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam isescaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-14
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Black plate (235,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or ifcoolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
2.3-liter engine
Cooling system cap
Coolant reservoir
Cooling
system cap Coolant reservoir 3.0-liter engine
If you find no problems, the engine iscool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-12).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-15
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