Black plate (137,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?lIs the seat adjusted properly?lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition is switched ON.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
4-5
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Form No.8Z64-EA-08H
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Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is
dangerous. The spinning tire could
overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, window
scraper, flares, a small shovel, jumper
cables, and a small bag of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-21.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lUse only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-19).
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-27).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual
transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
q Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8Z64-EA-08H
Black plate (187,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-45
Charging System Warning Light5-47
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light5-47
Check Engine Light5-47
Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power Warning Light5-48
ABS Warning Light5-46
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure. If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
3. Inspect the engine oil level (page 8-20). If it's low, add the appropriate amount
of engine oil while being careful not to
overfill.
4. Start the engine and check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, stop the engine immediately
and have your vehicle towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil
pressure is low. It could result in
extensive engine damage.
q Check Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8Z64-EA-08H
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To install the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut, and besure to hold the key square to it. If you
hold the key at an angle, you may
damage both key and nut. Don't use a
power impact wrench.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key, apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
qMounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING
Make sure the mounting surfaces of
the wheel, hub and lug nuts are clean
before changing or replacing tires: When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident.
2. Mount the spare tire. 3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.
WARNING
Do not apply oil or grease to lug nuts
and bolts and do not tighten the lug
nuts beyond the recommended
tightening torque: Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts
could loosen while driving and cause
the tire to come off, resulting in an
accident. In addition, lug nuts and
bolts could be damaged if tightened
more than necessary.
4. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise and lower the vehicle. Use the lug
wrench to tighten the nuts in the order
shown.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9
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qSchedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
ENGINE
Engine valve clearance (for 2.5-liter engine) Audibly inspect every 120,000 km, if noisy, adjust
Drive belts 2.5-liter engine
III
3.7-liter engine Inspect every 40,000 km or 2 years
Replace every 240,000 km
Engine oil RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system III
Engine coolant FL22 type
*1Replace at first 190,000 km or 10 years; after that, every
60,000 km or 3 years
Others R R R
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter RRRRRR
Fuel lines and hoses I
*2I*2I
Hoses and tubes for emission I*2I*2I
Fuel filter R R R
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 60,000 km
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections IIIIII
Brake fluid level I I I I I I I I I
Brake fluid RRR
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 10,000 km
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages IIIIIIIIIIII
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play IIIIII
Driveshaft dust boots IIIIII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body TTTTTT
Exhaust system and heat shields IIIIII
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-9
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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 8-22)lEngine coolant level (page 8-21)lEngine oil level (page 8-20)lWasher fluid level (page 8-27)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-32)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-24)
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 8-21)lEngine oil (page 8-19)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
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Form No.8Z64-EA-08H
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T
TowingDescription ................................. 7-17
Emergency towing ..................... 7-17
Recreational towing ................... 7-18
Trailer towing ............................. 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-23 TCS OFF indicator light ............ 5-24
TCS OFF switch ........................ 5-24
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-23
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-12
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-39
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-33 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-36
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-35
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-63
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-93
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-43 ABS ............................................ 5-46
Air bag system ........................... 5-48
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-51
Brake system .............................. 5-45
Charging system ......................... 5-47
Check engine .............................. 5-47
Check fuel cap ........................... 5-49
Door-ajar .................................... 5-51
Electronic Steering Lock ............ 5-55
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-47
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-48
KEY Warning Light
(Red)/KEY Indicator Light
(Green) ....................................... 5-53
Low fuel ..................................... 5-49
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-51
Powertrain malfunction/reduced
power .......................................... 5-48
Seat belt ...................................... 5-49
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-51
Warranty ............................................ 9-14
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-27
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-35
Windows Power windows .......................... 3-37
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-68
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-65 Blades replacement .................... 8-28
Winter Driving .................................... 4-8
Index
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Form No.8Z64-EA-08H