It is recommended you use the appropriate Mazda oil filter (or another
brand meeting Mazda specifications) for your engine.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Mazda maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to theService Maintenance Sectionfor
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the “level indicator”.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If possible, try to only fill the battery cells with distilled water. If the
battery needs water often, have the charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Note: Electrical or electronic accessories or components added to
the vehicle by the dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
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•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine’s cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Mazda Genuine Engine Coolant, or an equivalent
premium engine coolant that meets Mazda specification.
A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Mazda Genuine Engine Coolant
provides:
•maximum cooling system efficiency.
•freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•
an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant gauge.
The engine coolant must be maintained at the correct fluid level
and concentration to work properly. If the engine coolant fluid
level and concentration is not maintained correctly, damage to
the engine and cooling system may result.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
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Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between fourth and fifth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer torefill capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inservice maintenance section.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
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CHECKING AND ADDING REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully –
put in first gear.
3. Assure the vehicle cannot move.
4. Clean the filler plug.
5. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
6. Fluid level should be at the
bottom of the opening.
7. Add enough fluid through the
filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
8. Install and tighten the fill plug
securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer toLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Mazda Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Mazda SAE 5W-
20 Premium
Motor Oil2.3L engine 4.0 quarts (3.8L)
3.0L V6 engines 4.5 quarts (4.3L)
Mazda SAE 5W-
30 Premium
Motor Oil4.0L V6 engine 5.0 quarts (4.7L)
Brake fluid DOT 3 Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
6
Power steering
fluidMazda MERCON
AT FAll Fill to range on
dipstick
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there is no need to add fluid. If the levels are outside the normal
operating range, the performance of your brake system could be
compromised, seek service from your local authorized dealer
immediately.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Mazda part name or equivalent
Front axle (4X4)SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle
Lubricant
Rear axleSAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle
Lubricant
1
Brake fluid and clutch fluid (if
equipped)High Performance DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake Fluid4
Door weather strips Silicone Lubricant
Engine coolant Mazda Premium Engine Coolant3
Engine oil 2.3L I4 and 3.0L V6
enginesSAE 5W-20 Motor Oil
Engine oil 4.0L V6 engines SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil
Hinges, door checks, latches,
striker plates, fuel filler door hinge
and seat tracksMulti-Purpose Grease
Transmission /steering/parking
brake linkages and pivots, brake
and clutch pedal shaft, clutch pilot
bearing and input shaft spline
(manual transmission)Premium Long-Life Grease
Power steering fluid, transfer case
fluid (4X4) and transmission fluid
(manual)MERCONAT F
Automatic transmission (5R44E
and 5R55E)MERCONVATF
2
Windshield washer fluidUltra-clear Windshield Washer
Concentrate
1Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier meeting Mazda
specifications for complete refill of Traction-Lok axles. If submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant should be changed.
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Mazda car care products .......202
plastic parts ............................200
washing ....................................197
waxing .....................................197
wheels ......................................198
wiper blades ............................200
Clock adjust
AM/FM Stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................20
AM/FM stereo tape/CD/MP3 ....23
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................27
Single CD ..................................20
Clutch
fluid ..........................................243
operation while driving ..........151
recommended shift speeds ....152
Console ........................................49
Coolant
checking and adding ..............225
refill capacities ................229, 247
specifications ..................250–251
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................50
Customer
Assistance ..................187–188, 191
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................36
Dipstick
engine oil .................................217
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........250
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................246
Driving under special
conditions ..................153, 156, 158mud ..........................................158
sand .........................................157
snow and ice ...........................159
through water .................158–159
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................181
Emergency Flashers .................160
Emission control system ..........238
Engine ........................................251
cleaning ...................................198
coolant .....................................225
idle speed control ...................223
lubrication
specifications ..................250–251
refill capacities ........................247
service points ..................213–215
starting after a collision .........160
Engine block heater .................144
Engine oil ..................................217
checking and adding ..............217
dipstick ....................................217
filter, specifications ................221
recommendations ...................221
refill capacities ........................247
specifications ..................250–251
Exhaust fumes ..........................143
F
Fluid capacities .........................247
Foglamps .....................................36
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......154
driving off road .......................155
electronic shift ................154–155
indicator light .........................154
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................147
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interior lamps .....................39–40
replacing bulbs ....... 39–40, 43–46
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................38
LATCH anchors .........................101
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........145
Load limits .................................122
Loading instructions .................129
Lubricant specifications ...250–251
Lug nuts ....................................179
Lumbar support, seats ...............64
M
Manual transmission .................151
fluid capacities ........................247
lubricant specifications ..........251
reverse .....................................152
Mirrors .........................................50
fold away ...................................50
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Motorcraft parts ........................230
O
Octane rating ............................234
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................217
Overdrive .....................................53
Overheating ...............................180
P
Parking brake ............................146
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................165
Power door locks ........................56Power mirrors .............................50
Power point .................................48
Power steering ..........................147
fluid, checking and adding ....241
fluid, refill capacity ................247
fluid, specifications .........250–251
Power Windows ...........................49
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................147
R
Radio ..........................18, 20, 23, 27
Single CD ..................................20
Relays ........................................161
Remote entry system .................57
illuminated entry ......................60
locking/unlocking doors .....56–57
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............76
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ............65, 67–71
Safety restraints ..............65, 67–71
belt minder ...............................72
extension assembly ..................72
for adults .............................67–70
for children .........................88–89
safety belt maintenance ...........76
warning light and chime ..........72
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................101
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ........................................97
Safety seats for children ............93
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................253
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Index
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