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Owner Maintenance Schedule
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-15)lEngine coolant level (page 8-13)lEngine oil level (page 8-12)lWasher fluid level (page 8-16)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-22)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lEngine coolant (page 8-13)lEngine oil (page 8-11)
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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NOTE
If the“FL22” mark is shown on or near the
cooling system cap, use FL22 type engine
coolant. If engine coolant other than FL22
type is used, the engine coolant must be
replaced earlier than the specified replacement
interval indicated in the scheduled
maintenance (page 8-3).
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
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The Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí
does not alleviate the need to check the
tire condition every day, including
whether the tires all look inflated properly.
Inspect all tire pressure monthly
(including the spare
í) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, handling, and minimum
tire wear.
When checking the tire pressures, use of a
digital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.
Refer to the specification charts (page
10-6). NOTE
lAlways check tire pressure when tires are
cold.
lWarm tires normally exceed recommended
pressures. Don't release air from warm tires
to adjust the pressure.
lUnderinflation can cause reduced fuel
economy, uneven and accelerated tire wear,
and poor sealing of the tire bead, which
will deform the wheel and cause separation
of tire from rim.
lOverinflation can produce a harsh ride,
uneven and accelerated tire wear, and a
greater possibility of damage from road
hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequently needs inflating,
have it inspected.
q
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires if
irregular wear develops. According to the
scheduled maintenance charts.Refer to
Scheduled Maintenance on page 8-3.
During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
NOTE
Because your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire, you cannot do a tire rotation safely
with the jack that comes with your vehicle.
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
tire rotation.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23íSome models.
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L
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-57
Light BulbsReplacement ............................... 8-27
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Lighter ............................................... 6-47
Lighting Control ............................... 5-55
Lubricant Quality .............................. 10-4
M
Maintenance Introduction .................................. 8-2
Owner maintenance precautions ... 8-9
Owner maintenance schedule ....... 8-8
Scheduled ..................................... 8-3
Manual Transmission Operation ....... 5-10 Recommendations for shifting .... 5-11
Map Lights ........................................ 6-44
Meters and Gauges ........................... 5-33
Mirrors Outside mirrors .......................... 3-48
Rearview mirror ......................... 3-49
Money-Saving Suggestions ................ 4-6
Moonroof .......................................... 3-39
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-34
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-48
Overhead Console ............................. 6-50
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-44
Overheating ....................................... 7-16
Overloading ...................................... 4-10
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-39
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-6
P
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-28
Power Steering .................................. 5-19 Power steering malfunction indicator
light ............................................ 5-19
Power Windows ................................ 3-34
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-22
R
Rear Quarter Windows ..................... 3-36
Rear Seat ............................................. 2-8
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-60
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-49
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-25
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-12
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-7
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-38
Seat Belt System 3-point type ................................ 2-13
Automatic locking ...................... 2-11
Belt minder ................................. 2-18
Emergency locking .................... 2-11
Extender ..................................... 2-17
Location of seat belt ................... 2-12
Pregnant women ......................... 2-11
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-14
Seat belt precautions .................... 2-9
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-18
Index
11-5
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