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Keep all flames, including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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NOTE
Remove the battery cover before performing
battery maintenance.
Battery cover
CAUTION
ØDo not use a tool which applies
excessive force such as a
screwdriver or pliers.
If excessive force is applied to the
clips, they could be damaged.
To prevent damaging the battery
cover, remove/install the battery
cover using the following
procedure.
Removing battery cover
1 Detach the clip facing the side of
the vehicle first and pull it outward
with your finger approx. 4 mm (0.2
in). Then, lift the cover slightly to
clear the lock.
Clip
2 Detach the clip facing the vehicle
interior first and pull it outward
with your finger approx. 4 mm (0.2
in). Then, lift the cover slightly to
clear the lock.
Clip
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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3 Pull out the battery cover being
careful not to allow it to contact
the cowl grille.
Battery cover
Cowl grille
Installing battery cover
1 Being careful not to contact the
cowl grille, insert the tabs on the
one end of the battery cover into
the holes of the battery tray and
engage the tabs.
Cowl grille
Tabs
Holes
2 Attach the clips on both sides of
the battery cover.
Clips
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:lKeep it securely mounted.lKeep the top clean and dry.lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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qInspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper level
Lower level
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once a
week. If it's low, remove the caps and add
enough distilled water to bring the level
between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Don't overfill.
Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it's low, recharge
the battery.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-11)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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qAluminum Wheel Maintenanceí
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
mild detergent. Before using any
detergent, verify the ingredients.
Otherwise, the product could discolor
or stain the aluminum wheels.
NOTE
lDo not use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on
aluminum wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lAlways use a sponge or soft cloth to clean
the wheels.
Rinse the wheels thoroughly with lukewarm
or cold water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on dusty or salted
roads to help prevent corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an automatic
car wash that uses high-speed or hard
brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax
the wheels.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Check special requirements for Tire Pressure
Monitoring System.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page 5-34.
qPlastic Part Maintenance
lWhen cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
lIf plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately.
lHigh water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended
period of time, it could deform plastic
parts or damage the paint.
lDo not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage.
lIn addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result in
deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-65íSome models. Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page437
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qGlossary of Terms
Tire Placard:A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure, and
the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and date of
manufacture.
Inflation Pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
kPa:Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi:Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Original Equipment (OE):Describes components originally equipped on the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit:The maximum value of the combination weight of occupants and
cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire:Area on the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when it's
mounted on the vehicle.
Seating capacitymeans the total allowable number of vehicle occupants. Seating capacity
is described on the tire label.
Production options weightis the combination weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 2.3 kilograms in excess of the standard items which they replace,
and not previously considered in the curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.
Rimis the metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Specifications
qEngine
ItemSpecification
2.0-liter engine2.3-liter turbocharged
engine2.5-liter engine
Type DOHC-16V in-line, 4-cylinder
Bore × Stroke87.5 × 83.1 mm
(3.44 × 3.27 in)87.5 × 94.0 mm
(3.44 × 3.70 in)89.0 × 100 mm
(3.50 × 3.94 in)
Displacement1,999 ml
(1,999 cc, 122.0 cu in)2,261 ml
(2,261 cc, 138.0 cu in)2,488 ml
(2,488 cc, 151.8 cu in)
Compression ratio 10.0 9.5 9.7
qElectrical System
ItemClassification
2.0-liter engine2.3-liter turbocharged
engine2.5-liter engine
Battery12V-40AH/5HR,
12V-52AH/5HR12V-48AH/5HR,
12V-52AH/5HR12V-40AH/5HR,
12V-48AH/5HR,
12V-52AH/5HR
Spark-plug numberLFG1 18 110
*1, L3Y2 18
110L3BD 18 110*1, L3YD 18
110LFG1 18 110*1, L3Y2 18
110
Spark-plug gap1.25―1.35 mm
(0.049―0.053 in)0.60―0.70 mm
(0.024―0.027 in)1.25―1.35 mm
(0.049―0.053 in)
*1 ex factory
NOTE
When cleaning the iridium plugs, do not use a wire brush. The fine particulate coating on the iridium
alloy and platinum tips could be damaged.
qLubricant Quality
Lubricant Classification
Engine oil Refer to the recommended SAE viscosity numbers on page 8-18.
Manual transaxle oilAPI Service GL-4
SAE 75W-80
Automatic transaxle fluid Mazda Genuine ATF M-V
Power steering fluid Mazda Genuine ATF M-III, M-V, or equivalent (e.g. Dexron® II)
Brake/Clutch fluid SAE J1703 or FMVSS116 DOT-3
10-4
Specifications
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Personalization Features
The following“Personalization Features”are available. These settings can only be changed by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Setting Available customization Initial Setting After Setting Change
Auto headlight on/offThe headlight illumination on/off timing based
on the surrounding lightness/darkness can be
changed.2000―4000 lx 1000―2000 lx
Turn indicatorThe volume level of the turn indicator can be
changed.High Low/Deactivated
Key reminder
warning alarmThe volume of the key reminder warning alarm
can be changed.High Low
Lights-on reminder
warning alarm
*1The volume of the lights-on reminder warning
alarm can be changed.High Low/Deactivated
Illumination entryThe time required for the interior lamp to turn
off automatically after all the doors are closed
can be changed.15 seconds 7.5/30/60 seconds
The function allowing the interior lamp to
illuminate automatically when the ignition is
switched off can be deactivated.Activated Deactivated
The function allowing the interior lamp to
illuminate automatically when the doors are
unlocked can be deactivated.Activated Deactivated
The time required for the interior lamp to turn
off automatically can be changed
(prevents battery depletion when a door is
open/ajar).30 minutes 10/60 minutes
The time required for the interior lamp to
illuminate after unlocking any door can be
changed.30 seconds 7.5/15/60 seconds
The function allowing the interior lamp to turn
off automatically when any door is opened
(or not securely closed) can be changed.Activated Deactivated
Smart turnThe function allowing the turn signal lights to
flash three times with a momentary turn switch
operation (when changing lanes) can be
activated.Deactivated Activated
10-12
Personalization Features
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