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OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under
the bottom of the instrument
panel.
2. At the front of the vehicle, lift up on the auxiliary latch handle
located in the center between the hood and the grille.
3. Lift the hood open and secure it with the prop rod.
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3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual
transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
•2.3L I4 engine
•3.0L DOHC V6 engine
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
•If the oil level isbetween the MIN-MAX or ADD-FULL marks,the
oil level is acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
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Cleaner air
Mazda endorses the use of reformulated“cleaner-burning”gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the“Check
Engine”indicator, refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Pull the fuel filler door release handle to open the fuel filler door.
3. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
4. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
5. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
6. Turn the filler cap clockwise until at least one click is heard.
After refueling, if the“CHECK FUEL CAP”indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it securely. The indicator should turn off after
three driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city/highway
driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Mazda fuel filler cap is not used.
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If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
3. Fluid level should be at bottom
of the opening.
4. Add enough fluid through the filler opening so that the fluid level is
at the bottom of the opening.
5. Install and tighten the fill plug securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer to theRefill
capacitiesin this chapter.
CLUTCH FLUID (MANUAL TRANSAXLE)
The clutch master cylinder and
brake master cylinder are part of
the same system; both are refillable
through the brake master cylinder
with brake fluid. For more
information on brake fluid
maintenance, refer toBrake fluidin
this chapter.
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WARNING: Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the
eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Seek
medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink
water and induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the service maintenance section for the appropriate intervals for
changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, only use a Genuine Mazda air filter
element.
WARNING: Don’t drive without an air filter. This could result
in excessive engine wear.
Changing the air filter element
1. Loosen the clamp that secures the air inlet tube to the engine air
filter cover and disconnect the tube from the cover (for V6 only).
2. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
3. Carefully separate the two
halves of the air filter housing.
4. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
5. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
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6. Install a new air filter element.
Be careful not to crimp the filter
element edges between the air
filter housing and cover. This
could cause filter damage and
allow unfiltered air to enter the
engine if not properly seated.
7. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the clamps.
8. Replace the air inlet tube and secure the clamp.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be voided for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Classification Application Capacity
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)SAE 5W-20 2.3L I4 engine 4.25L (4.5
quarts)
3.0L V6 engine 5.7L (6.0
quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 2.3L I4 engine 62L (16.5
gallons)
3.0L V6 engine 62L (16.5
gallons)
Power steering
fluidMERCONAll Fill to line on
reservoir
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Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................78, 81–86
Safety Canopy ...........................102
Safety defects, reporting ..........209
Safety restraints ..............78, 81–86
belt minder ...............................88
extension assembly ..................87
for adults .............................82–85
for children .....................107–108
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................79
safety belt maintenance ...........92
warning light and chime ..........88
Safety seats for children ..........111
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................78
Seats ............................................70
child safety seats ....................111
heated ........................................73
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............221
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................22
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................26
Side-curtain air bags system
(if equipped) .....................104–105
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications .......256
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................255
Speed control ..............................51
Starting your vehicle ........158–160
jump starting ..........................191Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................45
Tires ...................................121–122
alignment ................................142
care ..........................................141
changing ..................................128
checking the pressure ............124
inspecting and inflating .........123
label .........................................140
replacing ..................................126
rotating ....................................143
safety practices .......................142
sidewall information ...............136
snow tires and chains ............144
spare tire .........................126–127
terminology .............................123
tire grades ...............................122
treadwear ........................122, 141
Towing .......................................152
recreational towing .................157
trailer towing ..........................152
wrecker ....................................197
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................251
manual operation ....................172
Transmission
automatic operation ...............167
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....167
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................249
fluid, refill capacities ..............253
Turn signal ..................................37
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................256
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