4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from D to R.•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, 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:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-18).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P and block the
rear wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
Winter Driving
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 9 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
4-13
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
TRAILER TOWING-LOAD TABLE
Because vehicle weights vary, adjustments must be made to meet the requirements in this
table.
The optional 4-Seasons Package: Including among others, automatic transaxle oil cooler
and large radiator. Vehicles with the 4-Seasons Package can tow a heavier trailer and carry
more cargo weight than standard-equipped vehicles.
GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating (sum of TTW, vehicle weights and 2 passengers)
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Model
With 4-Seasons
PackageWithout 4-Seasons
Package
Item
MAX. FRONTAL
AREA2.97m
2(32 ft2)
MAX. TTWAdd trailer’s weight, load and hitch;
vehicle passengers and vehicle load
*
*
i.e. baggage, food, camp gear
1,361 kg (3,000 lb) 907 kg (2,000 lb)
MAX. GCWR
3,324 kg (7,328 lb) 2,871 kg (6,329 lb)
MAX. GAWRFront
1,180 kg (2,601 lb)
Rear
1,214 kg (2,676 lb)
MAX. GVWR
2,372 kg (5,229 lb)
TRAILER-
TONGUE LOADTongue load/
Trailer load × 100 = 10% to 15%
DISTRIBUTION
OF TRAILER
LOADFront
60%
Rear
40%
Tongue loadTrailer load
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-15
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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.If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Shift into park (P).
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 engine
compartment:
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 is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
Overheating
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
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.
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.
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 15 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-16
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
If you find a leak or other damage,
or if coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-12).
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.
F
L
Cooling
system cap
Coolant reservoir
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 16 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Inspecting Coolant Level
Engine Coolant
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 Engine
Inspection:
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.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 12 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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 F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it’s at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
Do not overfill.
If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.Changing Coolant (Without Rear
Heater)
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
For mixture percentage:
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
CAUTION
•Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant’s effectiveness.
•Don’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
•The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
•DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
•Don’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
ProtectionVo l u m e
Antifreeze
solutionWa t e r
Above -16°C (3°F) 35% 65%
Above -26°C (-15°F) 45% 55%
Above -40°C (-40°F) 55% 45%
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
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 and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer’s instructions.
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.Changing Coolant (With Rear
Heater)
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer change
the coolant according to the Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
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.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
F
L
Tighten Loosen
TightenLoosen
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 14 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
The top of the float should be between
FULL and LOW.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing.Washer Fluid
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.
WARNING
NOTE
Front and rear washer fluid is supplied
from the same reservoir.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 18 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM