2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

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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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-24)lEngine coolant level (page 8-22)lEngine oil level (page 8-21)lWasher fluid level (page 8-27)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-38)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-26)lPower steering fluid level (page 8-25)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lEngine coolant (page 8-22)lEngine oil (page 8-19)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Compartment Overview
Power steering fluid reservoir
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Engine coolant reservoirFuse block
Engine coolant reservoir
Engine oil-filler capEngine oil-filler cap
Engine oil dipstick Engine oil dipstick
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Battery
Fuse block
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(Only for automatic transaxle)
MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Power steering fluid reservoir
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Engine coolant reservoir
Engine oil-filler capBrake/Clutch fluid reservoirBattery
Fuse block
MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo
Engine oil dipstick
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 0W-20 engine oil
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0 and MZR
2.5).
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine
Parts. For optimal engine performance,
there are certain types of engine oils and
filters suitable for your vehicle. Please
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If SAE 5W-20
engine oil is not available in your market, use
SAE 5W-30 engine oil. Mexico
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
Use SAE 5W-30 engine oil (MZR 2.3
DISI Turbo).
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
Mazda recommends Mazda Genuine Parts
and Castrol (U.S.A and Mexico). For
optimal engine performance, there are
certain types of engine oils and filters
suitable for your vehicle. Please consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils
“Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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The quality designation SM, or ILSAC
must be on the label.
80
60
40
20
0
–40 –20
30
120
100
5040
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
–40
q
Inspecting 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.
SKYACTIV-G 2.0
Full
OK
Low
MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5
Full OK
Low
Type A
Type B Full
OK
Low
MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo
Max
Min OK
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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5. Pull it out again and examine the level.The level is normal if it is between
Low or MIN and Full or MAX.
If it is near or below Low or MIN, add
enough oil to bring the level to Full or
MAX.
CAUTION
Do not 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.
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.
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 remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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