Black plate (201,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Charging System Warning Light5-45
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light5-45
Check Engine Light5-45
High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light5-46
ABS Warning Light5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page201
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J
Black plate (388,1)
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only
for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you're unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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.
8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page388
Tuesday, December 8 2009 1:30 PM
Form No.8BG3-EA-09J
Black plate (392,1)
The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
–30 –20 –10 0 10 20 30 40 50
–20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5W-30
qInspecting 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
OK
Low
2.0-liter and 2.5-liter
engine
2.3-liter turbocharged
engine
Max
Min OK
5. Pull it out again and examine the level. It's OK between Low or MIN and Full
or MAX.
But if it's near or below Low or MIN,
add enough oil to bring the level to
Full or MAX.
CAUTION
Don't add engine oil over Full or
MAX. This may cause engine
damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J
Black plate (434,1)
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material from
the underside of the fenders, and make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits can
damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal:Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected. When using a high water pressure car
wash
High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of car wash
machine. If the car washer nozzle is put
too close to the vehicle, the force of the
spray could damage or deform the
molding, affect the sealability of parts,
and allow water to penetrate the interior.
Keep a sufficient space (30 cm or more)
between the nozzle and the vehicle. In
addition, do not spend too much time
spraying the same area of the vehicle, and
be very careful when spraying between
gaps in doors and around windows.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove
paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar
materials will usually also take off the wax.
Rewax these areas even if the rest of the
vehicle does not need it.
8-62
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page434
Tuesday, December 8 2009 1:30 PM
Form No.8BG3-EA-09J
Black plate (503,1)
T
TiresFlat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-35
Replacement ............................... 8-37
Rotation ...................................... 8-36
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-9
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-21
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing Description ................................. 7-23
Emergency towing ..................... 7-23
Recreational towing ................... 7-27
Trailer towing ............................. 4-15
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-26 TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-27
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-15
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-37
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-42 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-44
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-43
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-62
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-93
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-41 ABS ............................................ 5-44
Air bag system ........................... 5-46
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-49
Brake system .............................. 5-43
Charging system ......................... 5-45
Check engine .............................. 5-45
Check fuel cap ........................... 5-47
Door-ajar .................................... 5-49
Electronic steering lock .............. 5-53
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-45
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-46
High engine coolant
temperature ................................ 5-46
KEY ............................................ 5-51
Low fuel ..................................... 5-47
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-49
Seat belt ...................................... 5-47
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-49
Warranty ............................................ 9-15
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-26
Weights ............................................. 10-6
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-38
Windows Power windows .......................... 3-45
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-67
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-64 Blades replacement .................... 8-27
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
11-7
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J