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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Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine
oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is within the
normal range on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap 1/4 turn
until it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine Oil Recommendations
2.3L & 3.0L Engines
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline Engines” by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms
to the current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers. Use an equivalent oil Mazda specification.
SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and durability
performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle’s engine.
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6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the
transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the
transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your engine’s cooling system has been factory-filled with a 50/50 mixture
of distilled water and Mazda Genuine Engine Coolant, or an equivalent
premium engine coolant that meets Mazda specification.
A50/50 mixtureof distilled water and Mazda Genuine Engine Coolant
provides:
•maximum cooling system efficiency.
•freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
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wiper blades ............................209
Clock adjust
AM/FM Stereo ...........................20
AM/FM stereo CD .....................21
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................28
Clutch
fluid ..........................................252
operation while driving ..........159
recommended shift speeds ....160
Console ........................................54
Coolant
checking and adding ..............234
refill capacities ........................239
specifications ..........................259
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................57
Customer
Assistance ..................195–196, 198
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................43
Dipstick
engine oil .................................226
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................256
Driving under special
conditions ..................161, 164, 166
mud ..........................................165
sand .........................................165
snow and ice ...........................167
through water .................165, 167
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................189Emergency Flashers .................168
Emission control system ..........248
Engine ........................................263
cleaning ...................................207
coolant .....................................234
idle speed control ...................232
lubrication specifications .......259
service points ..................222–224
starting after a collision .........168
Engine block heater .................150
Engine oil ..................................226
checking and adding ..............226
dipstick ....................................226
filter, specifications ................230
recommendations ...................230
specifications ..........................259
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................149
F
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......161
driving off road .......................163
electronic shift ........................162
indicator light .........................162
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................155
Fuel ............................................240
calculating fuel economy .......245
cap ...........................................242
choosing the right fuel ...........243
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................247
detergent in fuel .....................243
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................240, 242, 245
filter, specifications ................240
fuel pump shut-off switch .....168
improving fuel economy ........245
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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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