2006 MAZDA MODEL 6 engine

Black plate (285,1)
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.
Full
LowOK 2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
Full
OK
Low
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between Low and Full.
But if it's near or below Low, add
enough oil to bring the level to Full.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is
positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (286,1)
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.
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 Full
mark on the dipstick.6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
2.3-liter engine
Loosen
Tighten
Drain plug Forward
Drain plug ForwardLoosenTighten 3.0-liter engine
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 Full
mark if necessary.
2.3-liter engine
With oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 4.3 (4.5, 3.8)
Without oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 3.9 (4.1, 3.4)
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (287,1)
3.0-liter engine
With oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 5.7 (6.0, 5.0)
Without oil filter replacement
Oil capacity (reference only)
L (US qt, Imp qt) 5.2 (5.5, 4.6)
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.
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 EngineInspection:
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (288,1)
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 FULL or F and
LOW or L marks on the coolant reservoir
when the engine is cool.
2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
If it's at or near LOW or L, add enough
coolant to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL or F.
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.
qChanging Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
CAUTION
lUse only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant's effectiveness.
lDon't add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
lThe engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
lDO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
lDO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could damage
the cooling system.
lDon't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (289,1)
NOTE
If the“FL22”mark is shown on or near
the cooling system cap, use FL22 type
engine coolant. If engine coolant other
than FL22 type is used, the engine
coolant must be replaced earlier than
the specified replacement interval
indicated in the scheduled maintenance
(page 8-3).
Except FL22 type
For mixture percentage:
ProtectionVolume
Antifreeze
solutionDeminera-
lized water
Above_
16°C (3°F) 35% 65%
Above_
26°C (_
15°F) 45% 55%
Above_
40°C (_
40°F) 55% 45%
FL22 type
FL22 type engine coolant concentration is
factory adjusted. Use the product as it is
without diluting it.
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 to the
first stop (3.0-liter engine) or about
two and a half rotations (2.3-liter
engine).
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you're sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap (3.0-liter
engine)―still using a cloth―turn
the cap, and remove it.
1. Make sure the engine is not running
and it has cooled.
2. Remove the cooling system cap.
2.3-liter engine
Loosen
Tighten
Loosen Tighten
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (290,1)
3.0-liter engine Loosen
Tighten
Tighten
Loosen
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.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (291,1)
qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid
WARNING
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with water
and get medical attention. Brake fluid
spilled on a hot engine could cause a
fire. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on yourself or on the engine.
Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and cause
an accident. If you find a low fluid
level, have the brakes and clutch
inspected.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
lBrake and clutch fluid will damage
painted surfaces. If brake or clutch
fluid does get on a painted surface,
wipe it off immediately.
lUsing nonspecified brake and clutch
fluids (page 10-4) will damage the
systems. Mixing different fluids will
also damage them.
If the brake/clutch system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don't operate the vehicle for long
periods when the power steering fluid
level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
2.3-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (292,1)
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
3.0-liter engine
Inspect the fluid level at each engine oil
change. Add fluid if necessary; it does not
require periodic changing.
LowOK HighLoosenTighten
The level must be kept between the H and
L marks.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
1. Park on a level surface, well off the
right-of-way, and set the parking brake
firmly.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to
cool.
3. Remove the filler cap and attached
dipstick.
4. Wipe them clean and put them back.
5. Remove again and inspect the level.
6. It must be between H and L. Add fluid
if necessary.
Don't overfill.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
qInspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
2.3-liter engine
CAUTION
lAlways check the automatic
transaxle fluid level according to the
following procedure. If the
procedure is not done correctly, the
automatic transaxle fluid level
cannot be measured accurately
which could lead to automatic
transaxle damage.
lA low fluid level can cause transaxle
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and transaxle
malfunction.
lUse only the specified fluid. A non-
specified fluid could result in
transaxle malfunction and failure.
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Make sure there is no ATF leakage
from the ATF hose or the housing.
3. Shift the shift lever to the park position
(P), start the engine and warm it up.
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Owner Maintenance
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