•2.3L engine
• 3.0L & 4.0L engines
When the engine is cold, check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
• The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill level”or within the“cold
fill range” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
• Confirm the color and type of engine coolant before adding, to avoid
mixing incompatible products.
• Refer to the service maintenance section for service interval
schedules.
• Be sure to read and understand Precautions when servicing your
vehicle in this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
RADIATOR COOLANT ONLY
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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
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counter-clockwise carefully to avoid being burned by hot steam.
When there is no steam, keep you face back as you carefully remove
the cap and then replenish the coolant to the full line.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Replace the cap and see if the engine starts and runs normally and drive it to a service place under reduced load and with the air
conditioning off. If it quickly goes into Limp to Safety mode again,
shut it down in a safe location and have the vehicle towed for
service.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and
fire.
WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap.
Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING: If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the
fuel system or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision,
which may result in possible personal injury.
WARNING: Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death
if misused or mishandled.
WARNING: Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain benzene,
which is a cancer-causing agent.
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and sugar cane. When ethanol is used in the making of motor fuels, a
small amount of a bad tasting chemical is added to discourage beverage
use. The resulting fuel is called E
d100 meaning 100% pure ethanol
diluted by 2% to 5% gasoline as the “denaturant.”
Fuel ethanol (summer blend
d) is then made by adding 15% more
unleaded gasoline. The resulting fuel also has a higher octane rating than
unleaded regular gasoline and other properties which allow engine
designs with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 30% (E70)unleaded gasoline (25% plus
the denaturant) to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather
may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer to Cold
Weather Starting in theDriving chapter.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
WARNING: Flexible fuel components and standard unleaded
gasoline fuel components are not interchangeable. If your
vehicle is not serviced in accordance with flexible fuel vehicles
procedures, damage may occur and your warranty may be
invalidated.
WARNING: When refueling always shut the engine off and
never allow sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never
smoke while refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under
certain conditions. Care should be taken to avoid inhaling
excess fumes.
WARNING: The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can
produce static electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is
pumped into an ungrounded fuel container.
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Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on
the ground.
• DO NOT fill a fuel container while
it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area/pickup bed).
• Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
• DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle: 1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it stops.
“Check Fuel Cap” illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON
position to ensure your bulb is working. When this light turns on, check
the fuel filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the Check Fuel
Cap light on, can activate the Service Engine Soon warning. When the
fuel filler cap is properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a
period of normal driving. It may take a long period of time for the
system to detect an improperly installed fuel filler cap.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The warranty may be void
for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the correct
genuine Mazda fuel filler cap is not used.
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FFV engine (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed to use (E85) Fuel Ethanol,“Regular”unleaded
gasoline or any percentage of the two fuels combined.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your
warranty may be invalidated.
Fuel quality
Many of the world’ s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular”unleaded
gasoline. “Premium” unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized Mazda
dealership.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your FFV will operate well on ordinary “Regular”unleaded gasoline, but
only the highest quality fuel ethanol will provide the same level of
protection and performance. To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, check
your VIN or the label on the inside of your fuel filler door. When
checking the VIN, look for the engine type identifier (8th character). If
your vehicle is an FFV, then the character will be labeled as a “V.”
If you operate your vehicle 50% or more of the time on ethanol, you
should follow a different maintenance schedule. See the Service
Maintenance Section for more information.
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If you are experiencing a rough or rolling idle after start-up with the
outside temperature above 27°C (80° F), the idle should improve within
10 to 30 seconds. If the problems persist below this temperature, see
your authorized Mazda dealership.
Cleaner air
Mazda endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
• You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
• Your “Check Engine” indicator may come on. For more information on
the “Check Engine” indicator, refer to the Instrument Cluster
chapter.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized Mazda dealership. Refer
to the service maintenance section for the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Mazda part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Mazda fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,600 km (1,000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3,000 km –5,000 km (2,000 miles-3,000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in the Refill capacities
section of this chapter.
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•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
• Have the items listed in your service maintenance section performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
section are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to
its emissions system.
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