4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Is the seat adjusted properly?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels
should be inspected daily, weekly, or at
refueling, depending on the fluid. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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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
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5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the front fog lights.
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the or OFF
position.The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Fog Lights*
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Fog light switch
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing temperatures is dangerous.
The washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don’t use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don’t resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
WARNING
*Some models.
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5-37
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT
— Intermittent
1
— Normal
2
— Fast
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-18). If it’s OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
OFF
INT
1
2
OFF
INT
INT ring
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate
continuously until the lever is released.
OFF MIST
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 37 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Rear Window Wiper
Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.
ON
— Normal
INT
— Intermittent
Rear Window Washer
To spray washer fluid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to the position. After
the switch is released, the washer will
stop.
If the washer doesn’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-18). If it’s OK and the
washer still doesn’t work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster, the indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn it off.
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
NOTE
There are two washer positions: up and
down. In the down washer position, the
wiper will not be activated.
OFF ON Washer
WasherINT
Rear Window Defroster
Don’t use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
CAUTION
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8-1
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction
................................................................................... 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance
................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................. 8-3
Owner Maintenance
...................................................................... 8-7
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................... 8-7
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-8
Engine Compartment Overview ................................................ 8-9
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-10
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-12
Brake Fluid .............................................................................. 8-15
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-16
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-16
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-18
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-19
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-19
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-20
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-24
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-27
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-31
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-38
Appearance Care
......................................................................... 8-43
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-43
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-45
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-48
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
I:
Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
L:
Lubricate
CHASSIS and BODY
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or
kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first)Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 1624324048566472808896
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Brake lines, hoses and connectionsII
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakes I I
Tire (rotation)Rotate every 8,000km (5,000miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball jointsII
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Exhaust system and heat shieldsInspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Cabin air filter (if equipped)Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
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8-7
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
•Brake fluid level (page 8-15)
•Engine coolant level (page 8-12)
•Engine oil level (page 8-10)
•Washer fluid level (page 8-18)
At Least Monthly
•Tire inflation pressures (page 8-27)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-16)
•Power steering fluid level (page 8-16)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
•Air filter (page 8-19)
•Engine coolant (page 8-12)
•Engine oil (page 8-11)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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