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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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qCharging 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.
CAUTION
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
qEngine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-14). If it's low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, have your vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
qCheck Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-33
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qSchedule 2
Maintenance IntervalNumber 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 oilPuerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
Others R R R R R R RRRRRR
Engine oil filter R R R R R R RRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantReplace at first 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 4 years ; after that,
every 2 years
Engine coolant level I I I I I I IIIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filterPuerto Rico R R
Others R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I I I I IIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear I I I I I I IIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L LLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I IIIIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-5
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qSchedule
Maintenance IntervalNumber 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
×1000 miles
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 I I I I I I I I
Engine coolant Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*3CCRCCRCC
Spark plugs
*6Iridium type Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
except
Iridium typeRRRR
Idle speed (ZJ, ZY and Z6 engine) I I I I I I I I
Fuel filterRRRR
Fuel lines and hoses I I I I I I I I
Evaporative system (if installed) I I I I I I I I
Battery electrolyte level and specific
gravityIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I I I
Brake fluid
*4IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake I I IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit (Brake booster)
and hosesIIIIIIII
Disc brakes I I IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Drum brakes (if installed) I I I I I I I I
Power steering fluid, lines, hoses
and connectionsIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkage I I I I I I I I
Manual transaxle oil R
Automatic transaxle fluid level I I I I I I I I
Front and rear suspension and ball
jointsIIII
Driveshaft dust bootsIIII
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T T T T T T T
All electrical system
*5IIIIIIII
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perforation)Inspect annually
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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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 8-18)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-16)
lEngine oil level (page 8-14)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-21)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-31)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-20)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-19)
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 8-23)
lEngine coolant (page 8-16)
lEngine oil (page 8-14)
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil
dipstick
Fuse block
Air filter
Battery
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Engine oil-filler cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Main fuse
Automatic transaxle fluid-level
dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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The quality designation SL, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
5W-20
120 100 80
60 40
20
0 –20
50 40 30
20 10
0 –10
–20 –30
qInspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes
for the oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
reinsert it fully.
OK Full
Low
OK Full
Low Type A
Type B
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between MIN and MAX.
But if it's near or below MIN, add
enough oil to bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over MAX. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
The distance between MIN and MAX on
the dipstick represents the following:
Oil capacity
L (US qt, Imp qt) 0.75 (0.79, 0.66)
qChanging Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly―protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
WARNING
Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
CAUTION
Remove any oil splatter from the
exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe and
the shield. Oil left on these areas will
smoke when the engine is running.
8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Changing engine oil
WARNING
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don't check or
change the engine oil when the engine
is hot.
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the
oil into a suitable container.
3. Replace the drain plug washer after the
oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Reinstall the plug tightly.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
ForwardLoosen
Drain plugTighten
7. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
8. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.Check the oil level and fill to the MAX
mark if necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)
NOTE
lThe indicated engine oil capacities
are for general reference purposes
only. When adding or changing oil,
verify the engine oil level with the
oil dipstick.
lUse only specified engine oil (page
10-4).
Changing oil filter
Because you need a special tool to
retighten the filter, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer should do the work.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
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