2010 MAZDA MODEL MAZDASPEED 3 catalytic converter

Black plate (146,1)
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
2.3-liter turbocharged engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R
M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
This vehicle is designed for and requires use of premium unleaded fuel. If 91 octane fuel [
(R
M)/2 method] (96RON) is not available, gasoline as low as 87 octane [ (RM)/2
method] (91RON) can be used temporarily for emergency purposes. Use of gasoline lower
than 91 octane [ (R
M)/2 method] (96RON) can decrease performance during its use.
Refueling the vehicle with the correct octane fuel a couple of times will restore vehicle
performance.
2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R
M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead
to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.
ØYour vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol
by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of
any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
ØNever add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those
specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name“Gasohol”.
4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page146
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E

Black plate (148,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will
damage the converter and cause poor performance.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
ØDo not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
ØDo not coast with the ignition switched off.
ØDo not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off.
ØDo not operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
ØDo not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
ØDo not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard at the rear of the right
side of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking
device and it operates while the engine is off.
4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page148
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E

Black plate (495,1)
B
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-39
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Cargo Securing Loops ..................... 6-110
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-4
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-20
Center Console ................................ 6-109
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-28
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-32
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-38
Child Safety Locks for Rear Doors ... 3-38
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-7
Clock ................................................. 6-96
Cruise Control ................................... 5-20
Cup Holder ...................................... 6-107
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-39
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-61
Defroster
Mirror ......................................... 5-68
Rear window .............................. 5-67
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-34
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 4-13
D
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-7
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-18
Break-in period ............................ 4-7
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-11
Driving on uneven road ............. 4-13
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-8
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-9
Turbocharged vehicles ............... 4-14
Winter driving .............................. 4-9
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-26
DSC OFF indicator light ............ 5-27
DSC OFF switch ........................ 5-27
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-27
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-17
Flooded engine ........................... 7-17
Jump-starting .............................. 7-18
Push-starting .............................. 7-21
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-22
Emission Control System .................... 4-4
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-21
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-5
Hood release .............................. 3-50
Oil .............................................. 8-18
Overheating ................................ 7-15
Starting ......................................... 5-4
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-17
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-15
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-5
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-60
Index
11-3
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page495
Monday, June 1 2009 1:19 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E