RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles:
Tow your FWD vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with the
front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow
dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, have
your transmission fluid level checked by an authorized dealer.
For the correct transmission fluid level when flat towing (all four
wheels on the ground), refer toTransmission fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition to the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) if the vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission or 70 mph (113 km/h) if equipped with a
manual transmission.
•For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, start the engine
and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and
every six hours thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on
the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R (Reverse) before
shifting back into N (Neutral).
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Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles:
Tow your 4WD vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with all four
wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer.Do not tow your
4WD vehicle with the front wheels off the ground (by using a tow
dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground.This will cause damage to
your 4WD system. If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the
instruction specified by the equipment provider.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, have
your transmission fluid level checked by an authorized dealer.
For the correct transmission fluid level when flat towing (all four
wheels on the ground), refer toTransmission fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition to the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) if the vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission or 70 mph (113 km/h) if equipped with a
manual transmission.
•For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, start the engine
and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and
every six hours thereafter. With the engine running and your foot on
the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R (Reverse) before
shifting back into N (Neutral).
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Maintenance ItemMaintenance Interval (Months or miles [km], whichever
comes first)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
Miles x 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60 67.5 75 82.5 90
(Km x 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96) (108) (120) (132) (144)
CHASSIS AND BODY
Brake lines, hoses and
connectionII I
Disc brakes I I I I I I
Drum brakes I I I
Rear differential fluid (4WD
only)
3Replace every 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
Rotate tires, check wheel lug
nut torque
4Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Tire inflation and wear I I I I I I I IIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I I
Power steering fluid level I I I I I I I IIIII
Manual transmission fluid Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Automatic transmission fluid Replace every 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
Front and rear suspension ball
jointsII I
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
bodyII I
Exhaust system heat shields I I I
Locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I I IIIII
1Change engine oil and replace oil filter every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or
6 months when use of E85 is 50% of the time or greater.
2According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties.
However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed
at the recommended time or miles (kilometers) period to ensure
long-term reliability.
3If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be
changed.
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Maintenance ItemMaintenance Interval (Months or miles [km], whichever
comes first)
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
Miles x 1,000 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
(Km x 1,000) (8) (16) (24) (32) (40) (48) (56) (64) (72) (80) (88) (96)
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Engine cooling system and hoses I I
Engine coolant Replace at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 72 months; every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or36 months thereafter
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
CHASSIS AND BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connection II
Disc brakes IIII
Drum brakes II
Rear differential fluid (4WD only)
4Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Rotate tires, check wheel lug nut
torque
5Rotate tires every 5,000 miles (8,000 km)
Tire inflation and wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Manual transmission fluid Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Automatic transmission fluid Replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Front and rear suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body I I I I
Exhaust system heat shields I I
Locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
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1Change engine oil and replace oil filter every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or
three months when use of E85 is 50% of the time or greater.
2If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change
the spark plugs every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or shorter:
a) Repeated short-distance driving.
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation.
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid
climates.
3According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on these items will not void your emissions warranties.
However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed
at the recommended time or miles (kilometers) period to ensure
long-term reliability.
4If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be
changed.
5The wheel lug nuts must be retightened to the proper specifications at
500 miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation, at any wheel change, or at
any other time the wheel lug nuts have been loosened. Refer toWheel
lug nut torque specificationsin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
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.
When refueling
•Brake and clutch fluid level
•Engine coolant level
•Engine oil level
•Washer fluid level
At least monthly
•Tire inflation pressures
At least twice a year (for example, every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transmission fluid level
•Power steering fluid level
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Retightening lug nuts
•Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
•Refer toWheel lug nut torque specificationsin theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle, we providescheduled maintenance
informationwhich makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your authorized dealer can
provide necessary parts and service. Check your Warranty Information to
find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Genuine Mazda parts are designed and built
to provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING:A hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has been
running, parts of the engine compartment can become very hot.
You could be burned. Don’t inspect the coolant system or add coolant
when the engine is hot.
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, set the
parking brake and shift to P (Park). For vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission, set the parking brake, press and hold the
clutch pedal, place the gearshift in 1 (First), and release the clutch
pedal.
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
2.5L I4 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Automatic transmission dipstick (if equipped)
4. Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
5. Air filter assembly
6. Power distribution box
7. Battery
8. Engine coolant bleed valve
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
1
10
23456
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3.0L V6 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Air filter assembly
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
5. Power distribution box
6. Battery
7. Coolant bleed valve
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
1
1086
2435
97
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