Black plate (108,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (232,1)
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.
WARNING
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. 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 transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle 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.
CAUTION
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.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page232
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (248,1)
qSchedule 2
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 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
ENGINE
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Drive belts (tension) I
Engine oil Puerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
Others
RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system II
Engine coolant FL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years ;
after that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
Others Replace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years ;
after that, every 2 years
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter Puerto Rico R R
Others R
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000km (5,000miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page248
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (251,1)
qSchedule
Maintenance
Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 ×1000miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy, adjust
Drive belts
*1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Engine oil*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system IIIIIIII
Engine coolant FL22
type
*3R
Others Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*4CCRCCRCC
Spark plugs
*5
Iridium
type Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
except
Iridium
type RRRR
Idle speed
(ZJ, ZY and Z6 engine) IIIIIIII
Fuel filter RRRR
Fuel lines and hoses IIIIIIII
Evaporative system (if installed) IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravity IIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*6IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit (brake booster)
and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Drum brakes (if installed) IIIIIIII
Power steering fluid, lines, hoses
and connections IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkage IIIIIIII
Manual transaxle oil R
Automatic transaxle fluid level IIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and
ball joints IIII
Driveshaft dust boots IIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-9
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (253,1)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-20)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-17)
lEngine oil level (page 8-15)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-23)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-32)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-21)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-21)
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.
lAir filter (page 8-24)
lEngine coolant (page 8-17)
lEngine oil (page 8-15)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-11
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (255,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Fuse block
Air filter
Battery
Engine oil-filler cap
Main fuse
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Engine coolant
reservoir
Engine oil
dipstick
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Windshield
washer fluid
reservoir
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-13
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (259,1)
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
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. 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 MAX and MIN
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
If it's at or near MIN, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-17
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (261,1)
To change coolant
WARNING
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 about
two and a half rotations.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure has
escaped, turn the cap
counterclockwise―still using a cloth
― and remove the cap.
1. Make sure the engine is not running and it has cooled.
2. Remove the cooling system cap.
Loosen
Loosen
Tighten
Tighten
3. Remove the radiator drain plug and
drain the coolant into a suitable
container. Properly dispose of the used
coolant. 4. Flush out the system with running
water.
5. Drain the system completely. Insert and tighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant mixture
and water as necessary to provide
freezing and corrosion protection.
6. In extremely cold climates, add the mixture percentage recommended in
the coolant mixture percentage table.
7. Run the engine at idle with the cooling system cap off. Slowly add additional
coolant if necessary.
8. 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.
9. Install the cooling system cap. Inspect all connections for leaks. Inspect the
level in the coolant reservoir one more
time and verify that the coolant level is
between the F and L marks.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-19
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J