2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, run the engine for a few minutes to
mix the coolant. Check the coolant concentration. Make sure the engine
is off and cool before removing the coolant pressure relief cap (see
preceding steps on cap removal). Check the concentration per the
Checking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34ÉF/±36ÉC), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentraction. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage).
Recycled engine coolant
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets
Mazda recommend coolants. Use of a recycled engine coolant
which does not meet the Mazda recommended coolant, may harm
engine and cooling system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Maintenance and Specifications
215
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
Maintenance and Specifications
216
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the service maintenance
section for the service interval
schedules.If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONt
AT 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. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. Do not
add fluid if the level is in this
range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines.
Be sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE/CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED) FLUID RESERVOIR
Brake and clutch systems are supplied from the same reservoir.
Maintenance and Specifications
227
Fluid Classification Application Capacity
Transmission
fluid
1API service
GL-4, SAE
75W-90Manual transaxle
(2WD)2.7L (2.85
quarts)2
Manual transaxle
(4X4)2.2L (2.32
quarts)2
MERCONtATF 3.0L engine with
Automatic
transaxle and oil
cooler12.7L (13.4
quarts)3
Transfer Case SAE 75W-140
Synthetic
Lubricant4X4 (Automatic) 0.35L (12
ounces)
API service
GL-5, SAE
80W-904X4 (Manual) 0.35L (12
ounces)
Engine coolant
4Mazda
yellow-colored
Premium Engine
Coolant2.0L I4 Zetec
engine with
manual
transaxle5.0L (5.3
quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine with
automatic
transaxle10.0L (10.6
quarts)
Rear axle
lubricantAPI service
GL-5, SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4X4 1.4L (2.96 pints)
5
Windshield
washer fluidn/a All 2.6L (2.7
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to your scheduled maintenance
section to determine the correct service interval.
2Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
Maintenance and Specifications
245
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick's normal operating range.
4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. DO NO MIX
different colors or types of coolant. DO NOT USE Extended Life Engine
Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
5Fill to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
For further information on your lubrication specifications, see your
authorized Mazda dealer.
WHEEL AND TIRE SIZES
Vehicle
GradeWheel Tire Spare
WheelSpare Tire
DX 6.5JJx16 215/70R16 17x4T 135/90R17
LX-V6/ES-V6
DX-V6
±(Puerto
Rico only)7.0JJx16 235/70R16 17x4T 145/90R17
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 2.0L DOHC I4 Zetec
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 121 181
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.22-1.32 mm
(0.048-0.052 inch)1.32-1.42 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system DIS Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.6:1 10.0:1
Maintenance and Specifications
246
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................126
Accessory delay ..........................62
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................100±101, 105
and child safety seats ............102
description ......................101, 105
disposal ............................105, 109
driver air bag ..................103, 108
indicator light .................104, 109
operation .........................103, 108
passenger air bag ...........103, 108
side air bag ..............................105
Air cleaner filter .......................231
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................44
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................138
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................212
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................126±127
Anti-theft system ........................78
arming the system ....................78
disarming a triggered system ..79
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 27
Automatic transaxle
driving with .............................132
fluid, adding ............................228
fluid, checking ........................228
Automatic transmission ............129
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
Auxiliary power point .................60Axle
refill capacities ........................244
B
Battery .......................................210
acid, treating emergencies .....210
jumping a disabled battery ....171
maintenance-free ....................210
servicing ..................................210
Brakes ........................................125
anti-lock ...........................126±127
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................126
fluid, checking and adding ....227
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
fluid, specifications .................246
lubricant specifications ..........246
parking ....................................127
shift interlock ..........................129
Break-in period .............................4
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Calculating load ........................151
Capacities for refilling fluids ....244
Cargo area shade ........................68
CD-single .....................................17
Cell phone warning ...................250
Certification Label ....................248
Child safety restraints ..............110
child safety belts ....................110
Child safety seats ......................113
attaching with tether straps ..117
Cigar lighter
Power Point ........................60±61
Index
Index
251
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............191
instrument panel ....................193
interior .....................................194
interior trim ............................193
Mazda car care products .......195
plastic parts ............................192
washing ....................................190
waxing .....................................190
wheels ......................................191
wiper blades ............................193
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............44
Clock ......................................26, 39
Clutch
fluid ..................................227, 230
operation while driving ..........135
recommended shift speeds ....136
Console ........................................67
overhead ..............................58±59
Controls
power seat .................................82
Coolant
checking and adding ..............212
refill capacities ................216, 244
specifications ..........................246
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................63
Customer Assistance .......179±180,
183
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................48
Defrost
rear window ..............................47Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................228
engine oil .................................206
Door locks ...................................70
Driving under special
conditions ..................134, 141, 144
sand .........................................143
snow and ice ...........................145
through water .................143, 147
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................171
Emission control system ..........225
Engine ........................................247
cleaning ...................................191
coolant .....................................212
idle speed control ...................210
lubrication specifications .......246
refill capacities ........................244
service points ..................204±205
Engine block heater .................124
Engine oil ..................................206
checking and adding ..............206
dipstick ....................................206
filter, specifications ................209
recommendations ...................209
refill capacities ........................244
specifications ..........................246
Exhaust fumes ..........................124
F
Fluid capacities .........................244
Foglamps .....................................48
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
description ..............................139
Index
252
driving off road .......................140
indicator light .........................139
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................129
Fuel ............................................217
calculating fuel economy .......222
cap ...........................................220
capacity ...................................244
choosing the right fuel ...........219
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................224
detergent in fuel .....................220
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................217, 220, 222
filter, specifications ................221
fuel filler door release ..............66
improving fuel economy ........222
octane rating ...................219, 247
quality ......................................220
running out of fuel .................220
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................217
Fuses ..........................................158
G
Garage door opener ....................59
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............220
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................222
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................151GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................151
H
Hazard flashers .........................157
Head restraints .....................81, 83
Headlamps ...................................48
aiming ........................................50
bulb specifications ....................51
daytime running lights .............48
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
replacing bulbs .........................52
turning on and off ....................48
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................44
Hood ..........................................203
I
Ignition ...............................121, 247
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................113
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................226
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................193
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................49
location of components ............10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......171
Index
253