When the engine is cold, check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill level” or within the “cold
fill range” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Confirm the color and type of engine coolant before adding, to avoid
mixing incompatible products.
•Refer to theService Maintenance Sectionfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
WARNING: Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not
use engine coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid
outside of its specified function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
Use only Mazda Genuine Engine Coolant or a premium engine
coolant that meets a Mazda specification.
•DO NOT USE Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color).
•DO NOT USE a DEX-COOLengine coolant or an equivalent
engine coolant.
•DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
•DO NOT USE supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle.
These additives may harm your engine’s cooling system.
•DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Make sure the correct coolant is used.
•DO NOT MIX recycled coolant and conventional coolant
together in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants may harm
your engine’s cooling system.
•The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void the warranty of your vehicle’s
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engine cooling system. If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, contact your local dealer.
WARNING: Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir. If engine coolant is sprayed onto the windshield,
it could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir, until the coolant is at
the“FULL COLD” level or within the “COLD FILL RANGE” as listed in
the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon application).
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Plain water may be added in an emergency, but youmustreplace it with
a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle the
next few times (with the engine cool). If necessary, add a50/50
mixtureof engine coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the “FULL COLD” level or within
the “COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the reservoir (depending upon
application).
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per month.
WARNING: To avoid scalding hot steam or coolant from being
released from the engine cooling system, never remove the
reservoir cap while the engine is running or hot. Failure to
follow this warning may result in damage to the engine’s cooling
system and possible severe personal injury.
If you must remove the coolant cap, follow these steps to avoid personal
injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
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4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
Recycled engine coolant
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Mazda
specification. Use of a recycled engine coolant which does not meet
Mazda specifications 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.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer 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:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
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•Refer 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.
What you should know about Limp to Safety cooling (2.3L I4
engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily to a place of safety. The distance it can be driven
depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load and terrain, so when the
engine drops into this mode, it is because the engine has overheated and
you need to take special care to avoid it shutting down.
How Limp to Safety works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
symbol will illuminate.
•TheCheck engineindicator light
will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
This system has given you an early warning of engine damage and you
should immediately drive to a place of safety where the engine can be
cooled or the vehicle towed to a service shop. Continuing to drive in this
Limp to Safety mode will increase engine temperature some more,
increasing the chance of engine damage, and:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
If you have decided not to have the vehicle towed, and when the engine
temperature cools, you try to re-start it and it appears to have returned
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to normal operation, don’t delay in getting to a service facility as soon as
possible to diagnose what caused the overheat and prevent further
engine damage.
When Limp to Safety mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the Limp to Safety mode, so
drive the vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain
high speed operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the
engine is capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent
engine damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait for the engine to cool down.
4. When the engine has cooled down, first check the coolant level. If
low, then use a rag and carefully turn the cap one notch
counter-clockwise carefully to avoid being burned by hot steam.
When there is no steam, keep you face back as you carefully remove
the cap and then replenish the coolant to the full line.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Replace the cap and see if the engine starts and runs normally and
drive it to a service place under reduced load and with the air
conditioning off. If it quickly goes into Limp to Safety mode again,
shut it down in a safe location and have the vehicle towed for
service.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and
fire.
WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap.
Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
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•4.0L V6 engine
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the service maintenance section
for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONAT 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.If your vehicle is equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine,check the
fluid level on the dipstick. It should be within the FULL HOT range.
Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5.If your vehicle is equipped with a 4.0L SOHC V6 or 2.3L I4
engine,check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between
the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this
range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
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Fluid Mazda Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power steering
fluidMazda
MERCONAT FAll Fill to range on
dipstick
Transmission
fluid
1Mazda
MERCONAT F5-speed manual 2.65L (2.8
quarts)2
Mazda
MERCONV
AT F4x2 vehicles
with automatic
and 2.3L I4
engine9.4L (9.9
quarts)3
4x2 vehicles
with automatic
and 3.0L or 4.0L
engines9.5L (10.0
quarts)3
4x4 vehicles
with automatic
and 3.0L or 4.0L9.8L (10.3
quarts)3
Engine coolant4Premium Engine
Coolant2.3 L I4 engine
with manual
transmission10.0L (10.5
quarts)
2.3L I4 engine
with automatic
transmission9.7L (10.2
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine
with manual
transmission14.3L (15.1
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine
with automatic
transmission14.0L (14.8
quarts)
4.0L V6 engine
with manual
transmission13.0L (13.7
quarts)
4.0L V6 engine
with automatic
transmission12.5L (13.2
quarts)
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Fluid Mazda Part
NameApplication Capacity
Fuel tank N/A Regular cab
(Short wheel
base)64.4L (17
gallons)
SuperCab 73.8L (19.5
gallons)
Transfer Case
FluidMazda
MERCONAT F4x4 Vehicles 1.2L (1.25
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMazda SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 Vehicles 1.7L (3.6 pints)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Mazda SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantAll 2.4-2.5L (5.0-5.3
pints)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L (2.75
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONand MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONand MERCONV. Refer to theService Maintenance
Sectionto 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.
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 NOT MIX
different colors or types of coolant. DO NOT USE Mazda Extended Life
Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine coolant, in
this chapter.
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