water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles, which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief
cap. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid
can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD”
level on the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow
system, fill the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is
almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, run the engine for a few minutes to
mix the coolant. Check the coolant concentration. Make sure the engine
is off and cool before removing the coolant pressure relief cap (see
preceding steps on cap removal). Check the concentration per the
Checking engine coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
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Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage).
Recycled engine coolant
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets
Mazda recommended coolants. Use of a recycled engine coolant
which does not meet the Mazda recommended coolant, 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.
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•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze 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
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 fail-safe cooling (2.3L I4 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
indicator 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.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
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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 an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer toservice
maintenance sectionfor the appropriate intervals for changing the fuel
filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Mazda part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Mazda fuel filter is not used.
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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driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, the
indicator should turn off—A driving cycle consists of a
cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If the
indicator remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If the
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer toscheduled maintenance
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).
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Fluid Classification Application Capacity
Engine coolant
4
Mazda
yellow-colored
Premium Engine
Coolant2.3L I4 engine
with manual
transaxle5.3 quarts (5.0L)
2.3L I4 engine
with automatic
transaxle6.3 quarts (6.0L)
3.0L V6 engine
with automatic
transaxle10.6 quarts
(10.0L )
Rear axle
lubricantAPI service
GL-5, SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4WD2.96 pints
(1.4L)
5
Windshield
washer fluidN/A All 4.8 quarts (4.5L)
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 your scheduled maintenance
section to 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 Extended Life Engine
Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
5Fill from 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm to14 mm) below bottom of fill
hole.
For further information on your lubrication specifications, see your
authorized dealer.
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A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................164
Accessory delay ..........................50
Air cleaner filter ...............267, 269
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................32
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................95, 104, 107
and child safety seats ..............97
description ................95, 104, 107
disposal ....................................111
driver airbag ..............97, 105, 108
indicator light .........104, 106, 110
operation ...................97, 105, 108
passenger airbag .......97, 105, 108
side airbag ...............................104
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................247
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................164
Anti-theft system ..................65, 68
arming the system ....................68
disarming a triggered system ..69
triggering ...................................69
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................264
fluid, checking ........................264
Automatic transmission ............168
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................169
fluid, refill capacities ..............269
Auxiliary power point .................48
Axle
refill capacities ........................269
B
Battery .......................................245acid, treating emergencies .....245
jumping a disabled battery ....204
maintenance-free ....................245
servicing ..................................245
BeltMinder ...................................90
Brakes ........................................163
anti-lock ...................................164
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................165
fluid, checking and adding ....264
fluid, refill capacities ..............269
parking ....................................165
shift interlock ..........................168
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................39
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....269
Cargo area shade ........................56
Cell phone warning ...................276
Child safety restraints ..............111
child safety belts ....................111
Child safety seats ......................115
attaching with tether straps ..119
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............224
instrument panel ....................226
interior .....................................227
interior trim ............................227
Mazda car care products .......228
plastic parts ............................225
washing ....................................223
waxing .....................................223
wheels ......................................224
wiper blades ............................226
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............32
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Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................26
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Clutch
fluid ..........................................264
operation while driving ..........172
recommended shift speeds ....174
Console ........................................47
overhead ....................................47
Controls
power seat .................................72
Coolant
checking and adding ..............247
refill capacities ................251, 269
Cruise control .............................51
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................51
Customer
Assistance ..................212–213, 215
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................35
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................264
engine oil .................................241
Door locks ...................................58
Driving under special
conditions ..................172, 178, 181
sand .........................................179
snow and ice ...........................182
through water .................180, 183
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................204Emission control system ..........261
Engine ........................................271
cleaning ...................................224
coolant .....................................247
fail-safe cooling .......................252
idle speed control ...................245
refill capacities ........................269
service points ..................238–239
Engine block heater .................163
Engine oil ..................................241
checking and adding ..............241
dipstick ....................................241
filter, specifications ................244
recommendations ...................244
refill capacities ........................269
Exhaust fumes ..........................162
F
Fail safe cooling ........................252
Fluid capacities .........................269
Foglamps .....................................35
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road ...............176–177
indicator light .........................176
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................167
Fuel ............................................253
calculating fuel economy .......258
cap ...........................................256
capacity ...................................269
choosing the right fuel ...........256
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................261
detergent in fuel .....................258
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................253, 256, 258
filter, specifications ................253
improving fuel economy ........258
octane rating ...................257, 271
quality ......................................257
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