WARNING: Batteries normally produce explosive gases which
can cause personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames,
sparks or lighted substances to come near the battery. When
working near the battery, always shield your face and protect
your eyes. Always provide proper ventilation.
WARNING: When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with
your hands on opposite corners.
WARNING: Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect
against possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for a
minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt medical attention. If
acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•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 to theMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance.
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).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
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Maintenance and Specifications
247
Item ApplicationMazda part name or
equivalentCapacity
Fuel tankRegular cab
(Short wheel
base)—17 gallons (64.4L)
Cab Plus 4 19.5 gallons (73.8L)
1Brake 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, 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 authorized
dealer immediately.2Add 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.3Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with
the vehicle on a level surface.4Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid or fluid that
is specified dual usage MERCON/MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenanceto determine
the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause
transmission damage.5Indicates 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.6Traction-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.
If submerged in water, the rear axle lubricant should be changed.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
262
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................151
Air cleaner filter ...............257, 259
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................86
and child safety seats ..............89
description ................................86
disposal ......................................91
driver airbag ........................86, 89
indicator light ...........................90
operation .............................86, 89
passenger airbag .................86, 89
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................234
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................151–152
Anti-theft system ........................66
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................19, 21, 27
Automatic transmission ............156
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................157
fluid, specification ..................259
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....32
Auxiliary power point .................54
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........259
traction lok ..............................155
B
Battery .......................................232
acid, treating emergencies .....232
jumping a disabled battery ....189
maintenance-free ....................232
servicing ..................................232Belt-Minder...............................82
Booster seats ...............................95
Brakes ........................................151
anti-lock ...........................151–152
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................153
fluid, checking and adding ....252
fluid, specifications .................259
lubricant specifications ..........259
parking ....................................153
shift interlock ..........................156
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................46
C
Cargo cage ...................................60
Cell phone warning ...................267
Changing a tire .........................179
Child safety restraints ................95
child seat belts .........................95
Child safety seats ........................99
attaching with tether straps ..102
in front seat ............................100
in rear seat ..............................100
tether anchorage hardware ...102
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................95
Chimes (warning) .......................17
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............207
instrument panel ....................210
interior .....................................210
Mazda car care products .......211
plastic parts ............................209
washing ....................................206
waxing .....................................206
wheels ......................................207
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Index
268
octane rating ...................243, 263
quality ......................................244
running out of fuel .................244
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................240
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......168
Fuses ..................................169–170
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............242
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................245
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................168
Headlamps ...................................42
aiming ........................................44
bulb specifications ....................46
daytime running lights .............43
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................42
replacing bulbs .........................47
turning on and off ....................42
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................39–40
Hood ..........................................221
I
Ignition ...............................146, 263
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..99
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................250
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................210cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................43
location of components ............12
J
Jack ............................................179
positioning ...............................179
storage .....................179, 182–183
Jump-starting your vehicle ......189
K
Keys .......................................62, 67
positions of the ignition .........146
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................46
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps .................................42
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....43
interior lamps .....................46–47
replacing bulbs .........................47
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................45
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........153
Load limits .................................129
Loading instructions .................135
Locks
doors ..........................................62
Lubricant specifications ...........259
Lug nuts ....................................187
M
Manual transmission .................159
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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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Index
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Spark plugs, specifications .......263
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................259
Speed control ..............................57
Starting your vehicle .......146–147,
149
jump starting ..........................189
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................54
T
Tether anchors ..........................102
Tilt steering wheel ......................54
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........179
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....124
Tires ...........................108–109, 179
alignment ................................117
care ..........................................113
changing ..........................179, 184
checking the pressure ............113
inflating ...................................110
label .........................................123
replacing ..................................114
rotating ....................................117
safety practices .......................116
sidewall information ...............119
snow tires and chains ............129
spare tire .................................180
terminology .............................109
tire grades ...............................109
treadwear ........................108, 113
Towing .......................................135recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................135
wrecker ....................................194
Traction-lok rear axle ...............155
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................256
Transmission
automatic operation ...............156
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....156
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................255
lubricant specifications ..........259
manual operation ....................159
Turn signal ..................................45
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................265
Vehicle loading ..........................129
camper bodies ........................145
Ventilating your vehicle ...........149
W
Warning chimes ...........................17
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................225
Water, Driving through .............167
Windows
power .........................................55
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................53
checking and adding fluid .....225
checking and cleaning ............225
replacing wiper blades ...........226
Wrecker towing .........................194
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
272