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Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.
lThe vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
lThe vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WARNING
Be sure to follow the directions forchanging a tire, and never get under avehicle that is supported only by ajack:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
Never allow anyone inside a vehiclesupported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn the ignition switch off andremove the key from the ignitionswitch when you inspect the engine:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition
switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could turn
on unexpectedly even when the engine
is not running. You could be seriously
injured by the fan.
Do not remove eithercooling system caps when the engineand radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is nolonger escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the enginecompartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam isescaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-15
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Page 258 of 384
Black plate (258,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or ifcoolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
2.3-liter engine
Cooling system cap
Coolant reservoir
Cooling
system cap Coolant reservoir 3.0-liter engine
If you find no problems, the engine iscool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-20).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
7-16
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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Page 259 of 384
Black plate (259,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold it there―for up to 10
seconds. If the engine starts, release the
key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator―for
up to 10 seconds.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-17
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Page 261 of 384

Black plate (261,1)
WARNING
Connect the negative cable to a good ground point away from the battery:
Connecting the end of the second jumper cable to the negative () terminal of the
discharged battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around the battery to explode and injure someone.
Route the jumper cables away from parts that will be moving:
Connecting a jumper cable near or to moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is dangerous.
The cable could get caught when the engine starts and cause serious injury.
CAUTION
Use only a 12 V booster system. You can damage a 12 V starter, ignition system, and
other electrical parts beyond repair with a 24 V power supply (two 12 V batteries in
series or a 24 V motor generator set).
1. Make sure the booster battery is 12 V
and that its negative terminal is
grounded.
2. If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, don't allow the vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the
vehicle with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles.
3. Connect the jumper cables in the exact
sequence as in the illustration.
lConnect one end of a cable to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery (1).
lAttach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery (2).
lConnect one end of the other cable
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery (3).
lConnect the other end to a solid,
stationary, exposed metallic point
(for example, the strut mounting
bolt) away from the discharged
battery (4).
Connect cables in
numerical order and
disconnect in reverse
order.
Discharged
batteryJumper cables
Booster battery
4. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and run it a few minutes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
5. When finished, carefully disconnect the
cables in the reverse order described in
Step 3.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-19
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Black plate (262,1)
Push-Starting
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle by pushing it.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has a
manual transaxle. It can damage the
emission control system.
7-20
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico) ....... 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico) ............................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-15
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-15
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-16
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-17
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-18
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-20
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-22
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-23
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-24
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-27
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-28
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-28
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-33
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-34
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-39
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-49
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-54
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-54
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-56
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-59
8-1
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qSchedule 1
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension)2.3-liter engine I
3.0-liter engine I I
Engine valve clearance (for 2.3-liter engine)Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles),
if noisy, adjust
Engine oilRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolantFL22 type
*1Replace at first 192,000 km (120,000 miles) or 10 years; after
that, every 96,000 km (60,000 miles) or 5 years
OthersReplace at first 168,000 km (105,000 miles) or 5 years; after
that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 2 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R
Fuel lines and hoses
*2II
Hoses and tubes for emission*2I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial playII
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLL
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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