2004 MAZDA MODEL B2300 TRUCK brake

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the service maintenance section for the appropriate intervals for
checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
²2.3L I4 engine
MAX MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
194

WARNING: When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with
your hands on opposite corners.
WARNING: Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect
against possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for a
minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention. If
acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start
the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim
strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
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201

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between fourth and fifth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
216

Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the service maintenance section
for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONtAT 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.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the ªMAXº line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your Mazda dealer immediately.
WARNING: Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the
eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Seek
medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink
water and induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
MAX
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221

WARNING: If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your brakes.
WARNING: Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes to fail.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer to the service maintenance section for the
service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Mazda specification.
Refer toLubricant Specificationsin this chapter.
WARNING: Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the
eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Seek
medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink
water and induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and
water from entering the
reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
222

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your service maintenance section for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
²Refer to yourService Maintenance Sectionfor scheduled check and
change intervals.
²Transmission does not consume fluid.
²Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see
a leak.
²Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
²DO NOT ADD fluid until the transmission is at normal operating
temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.
To check and add fluid:
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) to reach normal operating
temperatures.
²If vehicle was driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.
2. Engage parking brake, start engine.
3. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.
4. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.
6. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.
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223

Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully ±
put in first gear.
3. Assure the vehicle cannot move.
4. Clean the filler plug.
5. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
6. Fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.
7. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
8. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer toLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
225

Checking and adding transfer case fluid (if equipped)
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully ±
put in first gear.
3. Assure the vehicle cannot move.
4. Clean the filler plug.
5. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
6. Fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.
7. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
8. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer toLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal
joints equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.

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226