Page 237 of 262

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).
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
237
Page 242 of 262

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.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the “MAX” line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your authorized dealer immediately.
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.
MAX
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
242
Page 243 of 262

WARNING: If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will
cause permanent damage to your brakes.
WARNING: Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes to fail.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer to theservice maintenance sectionfor the
service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Mazda specification.
Refer toLubricant Specificationsin this chapter.
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.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and
water from entering the
reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
•Refer toservice maintenance sectionfor scheduled check and
change intervals.
•Transmission does not consume fluid.
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
243
Page 244 of 262

•Check fluid when transmission is not operating properly or if you see
a leak.
•Fluid level must be checked at normal operating temperature, 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
To check and add fluid:
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) to reach normal operating
temperatures.
2. If driven in hot weather, city traffic, pulling a trailer, allow
transmission to cool for 30 minutes before checking.
3. Engage parking brake, start engine.
4. Put your foot on the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever slowly
through all of the gear ranges.
5. Shift to P (Park) and leave the engine running.
6. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean with a dry lint free rag.
7. Install and fully seat the dipstick into the filler tube.
8. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. Level should be
in the cross-hatched area.
9. If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250ml) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct at normal operating temperatures.
Refer to theLubricant specificationssection in this chapter for the
correct fluid type. The use of any other non-approved fluid may
cause internal transmission damage.
10. Fluid can be checked at ambient
temperatures between 50–95°F
(10–30°C). DO NOT ADD fluid
until the transmission is at
normal operating temperatures or the transmission will be overfilled.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at or below the bottom of
the dipstick.
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
244
Page 245 of 262
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may cause overheating, shift and/or
engagement concerns and internal
transmission damage. If an overfill
condition occurs, excess fluid should
be removed by an authorized dealer.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
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.
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
245
Page 246 of 262
TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
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.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal
joints equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
246
Page 247 of 262

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
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
247
Page 249 of 262

Fluid Mazda Part
NameApplication Capacity
Transfer Case
FluidMazda MERCON
AT F4x4 Vehicles 1.25 quarts
(1.2L)
Front axle
lubricantMazda SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant4x4 Vehicles 3.6 pints (1.7L)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Mazda SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantAll 5.0-5.3 pints
(2.4-2.5L)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.75 quarts
(2.6L)
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.
5Traction-Lok axles use 4.75–5.0 pints (2.2–2.4L) of rear axle lubricant.
Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier meeting Mazda
specifications for complete refill of Traction-Lok axles. Service refill
capacities are determined by filling the rear axle 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch
(6 mm to 14 mm) below the bottom of the filler hole.
6Brake fluid will drop slowly as the brakes wear and will rise when brake
components are replaced. Fluid levels below the MAX line that do not
trigger the brake warning light are within the normal operating range,
2006 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian_French(fr_can)
Maintenance and Specifications
249