Check the wiper blades for wear at least twice a year or when they seem
less effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments
used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Changing the wiper blades
1. Pull the wiper arm away from
the vehicle. Turn the blade at an
angle from the wiper arm. Push
the lock pin manually to release
the blade and pull the wiper
blade down toward the
windshield to remove it from
the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into
place until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer toscheduled maintenancefor the appropriate intervals for
checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
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Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your “Warranty Information” for complete emission
warranty information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause the
indicator to illuminate.
Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel cap or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the
indicator should stay off
the next time the engine is started. 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. Although some malfunctions detected by the
OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent, continued driving
with the
indicator on can result in increased emissions, lower fuel
economy, reduced engine and transmission smoothness, and lead to more
costly repairs.
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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. Ensure that 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 to the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in this
chapter.
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TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully –
put in first gear.
3. Ensure 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 to the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in 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.
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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. Ensure 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 to the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in this
chapter.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenancefor the appropriate intervals for
changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, only use a genuine Mazda air filter
element.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is
running.
1. Loosen the clamp that secures the air inlet tube to the engine air
filter cover and disconnect the tube from the cover (for V6 only).
2. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
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3. Carefully separate the two
halves of the air filter housing.
4. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
5. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
6. Install a new air filter element.
Be careful not to crimp the
filter element edges between
the air filter housing and cover.
This could cause filter damage
and allow unfiltered air to enter
the engine if not properly
seated.
7. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the clamps.
8. Replace the air inlet tube and secure the clamp.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be void for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
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lubricant specifications ..........259
reverse .....................................160
Mirrors .........................................56
fold away ...................................57
side view mirrors
(power) ...............................56–57
Motorcraft parts ........................240
O
Octane rating ............................243
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................226
Overdrive ...............................59–60
Overheating ...............................188
P
Parking brake ............................153
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................73
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................173
Power door locks ........................62
Power mirrors .......................56–57
Power point .................................54
Power steering ..........................154
fluid, checking and adding ....251
fluid, specifications .................259
Power Windows ...........................55
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................155
R
Radio ................................19, 21, 27
Relays ........................................169
Remote entry system .................63illuminated entry ......................65
locking/unlocking doors ...........63
panic alarm ...............................63
replacing the batteries .............64
S
Safety defects, reporting ..........205
Safety restraints ..............71, 75–79
Belt-Minder.............................82
extension assembly ..................80
for adults .............................76–79
for children .........................94–95
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................73
seat belt maintenance ..............80
warning light and chime ..........81
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ......................................102
Safety seats for children ............99
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................265
Satellite Radio Information ........36
Scheduled Maintenance ...........212
Seat Belt Maintenance ...............80
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...71, 75–79
Seats ............................................69
child safety seats ......................99
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................66
Servicing your vehicle ..............220
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................20
AM/FM stereo CD .....................21
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................28
Snowplowing .................................7
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