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WARNING
Do not perform maintenance work if you lack sufficient knowledge and experience or
the proper tools and equipment to do the work. Have maintenance work done by a
qualified technician:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You
can be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures.
If you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain that you
remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and all
neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or cooling
fan which may turn on unexpectedly: Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even
more dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Switch the ignition to off and make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. The fan could
continue running indefinitely even if the engine has stopped and the engine
compartment temperature is high. You could be hit by the fan and seriously injured.
Do not leave items in the engine compartment: After you have finished checking or doing servicing in the engine compartment, do
not forget and leave items such as tools or rags in the engine compartment.
Tools or other items left in the engine compartment could cause engine damage or a
fire leading to an unexpected accident.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns on. It will
continue running for about 10 minutes after the ignition is switched off.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (360,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)Brake/Clutch
fluid reservoir
Brake fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir Engine oil-filler cap
Engine oil-filler capWindscreen washer
fluid reservoir
Windscreen washer
fluid reservoir Fuse block
BatteryEngine oil dipstick
Engine oil dipstick
Fuse block
BatteryEngine coolant
reservoir Engine coolant
reservoir
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
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Owner Maintenance
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Engine Oil
NOTEChanging the engine oil should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
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.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
(Mexico)
2.5-liter engine
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If SAE 5W-
20 engine oil is not available, use SAE
5W-30 engine oil.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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3.7-liter engine
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If SAE 5W-
20 engine oil is not available, use SAE
10W-30 10W-40 5W-40 engine oil.
The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
5040
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
q
Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully.
Full
LowOK
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
Full
Low
5. 2.5-liter engine
Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between Low and Full.
But if it's near or below Low, add
enough oil to bring the level to Full.
3.7-liter engine
Pull it out again and examine the level.
It's OK between Low and Full. But if
it's below Low, add oil to raise the
level within the hatching zone.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over Full. This
may cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
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Owner Maintenance
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Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.
Switch the ignition to off and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan: Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year ―at the beginning of the
winter season ―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the FULL or F and
LOW or L marks on the coolant reservoir
when the engine is cool.
If it's at or near LOW or L, add enough
coolant to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to FULL or F.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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CAUTION
ØRadiator coolant will damage
paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Ø Use only soft (demineralized)
water in the coolant mixture.
Water that contains minerals will
cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.
Ø Don't add only water. Always add
a proper coolant mixture.
Ø The engine has aluminum parts
and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.
Ø DO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
Ø DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.
Ø Don't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
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.
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
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Owner Maintenance
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qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid
WARNING
Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
yourself or on the engine:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire.
If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes and clutch inspected: Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and
cause an accident.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
Ø Brake and clutch fluid will
damage painted surfaces. If brake
or clutch fluid does get on a
painted surface, wash it off with
water immediately.
Ø Using nonspecified brake and
clutch fluids (page 10-4) will
damage the systems. Mixing
different fluids will also damage
them.
If the brake/clutch system
frequently requires new fluid,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power
steering pump, don't operate the
vehicle for long periods when the
power steering fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid (page 10-4).
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
qInspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
2.5-liter engine
CAUTION
Ø Always check the automatic
transaxle fluid level according to
the following procedure. If the
procedure is not done correctly,
the automatic transaxle fluid level
cannot be measured accurately
which could lead to automatic
transaxle damage.
Ø A low fluid level can cause
transaxle slippage. Overfilling can
cause foaming, loss of fluid, and
transaxle malfunction.
Ø Use only the specified fluid. A non-
specified fluid could result in
transaxle malfunction and failure.
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
2. Make sure there is no ATF leakage from the ATF hose or the housing.
3. Shift the shift lever to the park position (P), start the engine and warm it up.
CAUTION
Do not shift the shift lever while the
engine is warming up. If the ATF level
is extremely low, the automatic
transaxle could be damaged.
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Owner Maintenance
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