Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
•4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
• Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
• Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
• Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop
any faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident as to road conditions.
• Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other
vehicles for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one
of the lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of
the wheels. Use a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a
steadily increasing force which allows the wheels to brake yet
continue to roll so that you may steer in the direction you want to
travel. If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal and repeat the
squeeze technique. Since your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the brake steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes. Refer to the Brakessection of this chapter for
additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
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Note:Inspect the wheel pilot hole
prior to installation. If there is
visible corrosion in wheel pilot hole,
remove loose particles by wiping
with clean rag and apply grease.
Apply grease only to the wheel pilot
hole surface by smearing a “dime”
(1 square cm) sized glob of grease
around the wheel pilot surface (1)
with end of finger. DO NOT apply
grease to lugnut/stud holes or
wheel-to-brake surfaces.
OVERHEATING
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating and you experience
power loss, you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine is
probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Shift the automatic transmission into P (Park) or the manual transmission into the neutral position, and apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
WARNING: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The
escaping steam could seriously burn you. Open the hood ONLY
after steam is no longer escaping from the engine.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from the engine compartment.
• If steam is coming from the engine compartment: do not go near
the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine, then turn the ignition switch
to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling
fans will start to cool the engine.
• If neither coolant nor steam is escaping: open the hood and idle
the engine until it cools. If this does not lower the temperature, stop
the engine and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it is low, look for leaks in the radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator and
water pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking, stop the
engine and call an authorized dealer.
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•The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components and may void the warranty of your vehicle’s
engine cooling system. If you are unsure which type of coolant
your vehicle requires, contact your local authorized dealer.
WARNING: Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir. If engine coolant is sprayed onto the windshield,
it could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir, when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
• NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
• NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
• Engine coolant concentrations above 60% or below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case of
emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “COLD FILL RANGE”. For all other vehicles, which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
Note: When adding more than 1 quart (.95L) of coolant, it is necessary
to use the coolant bleed valve. Failure to bleed the cooling system when
adding engine coolant may cause engine damage. Refer to the Cooling
section of the Workshop Manual.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
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Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic
bottle). Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Open the coolant bleed valve on the back of the engine water outlet. (See Identifying components in the engine compartment earlier in
this section for the location of the bleed valve). If the bleed valve
leaks coolant when opened, there is no air in the engine. If the bleed
valve does not leak coolant when opened, leave it open and continue
to the next steps.
6. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture.
7. Close the bleed valve when coolant begins to seep from it.
8. Continue filling to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the reservoir. Reinstall the cap on the coolant
reservoir. Turn the cap until it is tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration.
Refer to the Checking engine coolant section. If the concentration is
not 50/50 (protection to –34° F [–36° C]), drain some coolant and adjust
the concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a
50/50 coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage).
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4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. Ifnecessary, refer to Identifying components in the engine
compartment in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in the crosshatch zone for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
The transmission fluid should be in
the crosshatch zone if at normal
operating temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the
crosshatch zone may result in
transmission failure. An overfill
condition of transmission fluid
may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Maintenance product specifications and capacities section in this
chapter.
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A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................184
Accessory delay ..........................55
Air cleaner filter ...............291, 293
Air conditioningmanual heating and air
conditioning system .................36
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................108, 117, 120 and child safety seats ............110
description ..............108, 117, 120
disposal ....................................123
driver airbag ............110, 118, 121
indicator light .........116, 119, 123
operation .................110, 118, 121
passenger airbag .....110, 118, 121
side airbag ...............................117
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................200
Ambulance packages ....................7
AM/FM .........................................19
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................271
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................184–185
Anti-theft system ........................77
Audio system (see Radio) .........19
Automatic transmission ............193 driving an automatic
overdrive .................................195
fluid, refill capacities ..............293
fluid, specification ..................293
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....27
Auxiliary power point .................53
Axle lubricant specifications ..........293 refill capacities ........................293
B
Battery .......................................269 acid, treating emergencies .....269
jumping a disabled battery ....228
maintenance-free ....................269
servicing ..................................269
Belt-Minder .............................103
Booster seats .............................137
Brakes ........................................184 anti-lock ...........................184–185
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................185
fluid, checking and adding ....289
fluid, refill capacities ..............293
fluid, specifications .................293
lubricant specifications ..........293
parking ....................................186
shift interlock ..........................193
Bulbs ............................................44
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....293
Cargo area shade ........................62
Cargo management system ........63
CD ................................................19
Cell phone warning ...................298
Child safety seats ......................128 attaching with tether straps ..134
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
LATCH .....................................132
recommendations ...................126
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................137
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Cleaning your vehicleengine compartment ..............248
instrument panel ....................250
interior .....................................251
Mazda car care products .......252
plastic parts ............................249
washing ....................................247
waxing .....................................247
wheels ......................................248
wiper blades ............................250
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clock ............................................19
Clutch fluid ..........................................289
operation while driving ..........198
recommended shift speeds ....199
Console ........................................52 overhead ....................................51
Controls power seat .................................86
Coolant checking and adding ..............271
refill capacities ................275, 293
specifications ..........................293
Cruise control .............................57
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................57
Customer
Assistance ..................236–237, 240
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40
Dipstick automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................289
engine oil .................................265 Driving under special
conditions ..................197, 201, 204
sand .........................................203
snow and ice ...........................205
through water .................203, 206
E
Electronic stability control ......187
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................228
running out of fuel .........228, 281
Emergency Flashers .................207
Emission control system ..........286
Engine ........................................295 cleaning ...................................248
coolant .....................................271
fail-safe cooling .......................276
idle speed control ...................269
lubrication specifications .......293
refill capacities ........................293
service points ..................261–262
starting after a collision .........207
Engine block heater .................182
Engine oil ..................................265 checking and adding ..............265
dipstick ....................................265
filter, specifications ................268
recommendations ...................268
refill capacities ........................293
specifications ..........................293
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................181
F
Fail safe cooling ........................276
Fluid capacities .........................293
Foglamps .....................................39
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Four-Wheel Drive vehiclesdriving off road .......................200
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................193
Fuel ............................................277 calculating fuel economy .......283
cap ...........................................279
capacity ...................................293
choosing the right fuel ...........280
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................286
detergent in fuel .....................281
filler funnel .............................281
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................277, 279, 283
filter, specifications ................277
fuel pump shut-off switch .....207
improving fuel economy ........283
octane rating ...................281, 295
quality ......................................281
running out of fuel .........228, 281
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................277
Fuses ..................................208–209
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............279
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................283
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................207
Head restraints ...........................88
Headlamps ...................................39 aiming ........................................41
bulb specifications ....................44
daytime running lights .............40 flash to pass ..............................40
high beam .................................39
replacing bulbs .........................45
turning on and off ....................39
Heating manual heating and air
conditioning system .................36
Hood ..........................................260
I
Ignition ...............................178, 295
Illuminated visor mirror .............51
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................128
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................288
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................250
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................40
location of components ............12
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......228
K
Keyless entry system autolock ...............................69–70
Keys .......................................67, 79 positions of the ignition .........178
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................44
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