5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is fully released,
have the brakes inspected
immediately. Don
’t drive with this
light on, and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
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5-33
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Daytime Running Lights
(Canada)
NOTE
The running lights go off when the
parking brake is applied.
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
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7-6
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a block both in front and behind
the tire.
Removing a Flat Tire
1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don ’t remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack under the jacking position closest to the tire being
changed.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
Jacking position
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7-11
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
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. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
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
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8-9
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHASSIS and BODY
*5 This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
*6 If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
Maintenance
Interval
(Number of
months or
kilometers (miles),
whichever
comes first) Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
× 1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
× 1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Evaporative system IIIIIIII
All electrical system
*5IIIIIIII
Brake pedals and clutch pedals IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Clutch fluid IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*6IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid and lines IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and gear
housing IIIIIIII
Steering linkages, tie rod ends
and arms IIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil RR
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Automatic transmission fluid
level IIIIIIII
Drive shaft dust boots IIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
Body condition (for rust,
corrosion and perforation)
(except Australian model) Inspect annually
Exhaust system heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Tire (including spare tire)(with
inflation pressure adjustment) IIIIIIII
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8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool. 3. Remove the filler cap and attached
dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid if necessary.
Don ’t overfill.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don ’t operate the vehicle for
long periods when the power steering
fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
CAUTION
Full
Low
OK
Loosen
Tighten
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8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Inspecting Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
The automatic transmission fluid level
should be inspected regularly. Measure it
as described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. For that reason, it is best to
examine the level after having driven the
vehicle for 15 minutes. If necessary,
however, it can also be inspected without
driving when the outside temperature is
above 20
°C (70 °F).
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine. Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges and set it at P. 4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean.
5. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Pull the dipstick out and read the fluid level.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale
When checking the fluid level at normal
operating temperature, the fluid level
should be within the FULL and LOW
marks on the dipstick.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF)
• Low fluid level causes transmission
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and
transmission malfunction.
• Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transmission malfunction and
failure.
• The vehicle should not be driven if
the fluid level is below the bottom
of the dipstick and the outside
temperature is above 20
°C (70° F),
or if evident automatic transmission
fluid leaks are found.
CAUTION
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
FULL
LOW Fluid
cold
scale
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8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
Light Bulbs
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights
Side-marker lights Overhead light
License plate lights/
Trunk lights
High-mount brake light
Rear turn signal lights Brake lights/Taillights Reverse lights
Headlights
Fog lights*
*Some models.
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