2004 MAZDA MODEL 6 HATCHBACK radiator

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
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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 (254,1)
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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Black plate (255,1)
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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Black plate (260,1)
CAUTION
lUse the cold scale only as a
reference.
lIf outside temperature is lower than
about 20°C (70°F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
lIf the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect the
level only after stopping the engine
and allowing the fluid to cool for 30
minutes.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn't pass full.
NOTE
Inspect the fluid on both sides of the
dipstick in a well lit area for an accurate
reading.
Washer Fluid
qInspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident. Use only windshield
washer fluid or plain water in the
reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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