2004 MAZDA MODEL B-SERIES coolant temperature

Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than–36°C[–34° F]):
• It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
• NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
• Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
• NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
• Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about Limp to Safety cooling (2.3L I4
engines only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily to a place of safety. The distance it can be driven
depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load and terrain, so when the
engine drops into this mode, it is because the engine has overheated and
you need to take special care to avoid it shutting down.
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
206

How Limp to Safety works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
• The
symbol will illuminate.
• The “Service Engine Soon”
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
• The engine power will be limited.
• The air conditioning system will be disabled.
This system has given you an early warning of engine damage and you
should immediately drive to a place of safety where the engine can be
cooled or the vehicle towed to a service shop. Continuing to drive in this
Limp to Safety mode will increase engine temperature some more,
increasing the chance of engine damage, and:
• The engine will completely shut down.
• Steering and braking effort will increase.
If you have decided not to have the vehicle towed, and when the engine
temperature cools, you try to re-start it and it appears to have returned
to normal operation, don’ t delay in getting to a service facility as soon as
possible to diagnose what caused the overheat and prevent further
engine damage.
When Limp to Safety mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the Limp to Safety mode, so
drive the vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain
high speed operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the
engine is capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent
engine damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait for the engine to cool down.
4. When the engine has cooled down, first check the coolant level. If low, then use a rag and carefully turn the cap one notch
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
207

•4.0L V6 engine
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the service maintenance section
for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCON AT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. If your vehicle is equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine, check the
fluid level on the dipstick. It should be within the FULL HOT range.
Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 or 2.3L I4
engine, check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this
range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking the level until it reaches the FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
220