2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

Black plate (409,1)
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season ―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the MAX and MIN
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
If it is at or near MIN, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to MAX.
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir tank
cap after adding coolant.
CAUTION
Ø Radiator coolant will damage
paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Ø Use only soft (demineralized)
water in the coolant mixture.
Water that contains minerals will
cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.
Ø Do not add only water. Always
add a proper coolant mixture.
Ø The engine has aluminum parts
and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.
Ø DO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
Ø DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.
Ø Do not use a solution that
contains more than 60%
antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (410,1)
NOTE
If the“FL22” mark is shown on or near the
cooling system cap, it is recommended to use
Mazda Genuine FL22 engine coolant (page
8-3).
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Black plate (411,1)
qAdding Brake/Clutch Fluid
WARNING
Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
yourself or on the engine:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire.
If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes and clutch inspected: Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and
cause an accident.
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
CAUTION
Ø Brake and clutch fluid will
damage painted surfaces. If brake
or clutch fluid does get on a
painted surface, wash it off with
water immediately.
Ø Using nonspecified brake and
clutch fluids (page 10-5) will
damage the systems. Mixing
different fluids will also damage
them.
If the brake/clutch system
frequently requires new fluid,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power
steering pump, don't operate the
vehicle for long periods when the
power steering fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid (page 10-5).
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (412,1)
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
í
qInspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level (5-speed transaxle)
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
CAUTION
Ø Always check the automatic
transaxle fluid level according to
the following procedure. If the
procedure is not done correctly,
the automatic transaxle fluid level
cannot be measured accurately
which could lead to automatic
transaxle damage.
Ø A low fluid level can cause
transaxle slippage. Overfilling can
cause foaming, loss of fluid, and
transaxle malfunction.
Ø It is recommended to use Mazda
Genuine automatic transaxle fluid
(page 10-5).
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
2. Make sure there is no ATF leakage from the ATF hose or the housing.
3. Shift the shift lever to the park position (P), start the engine and warm it up.
CAUTION
Do not shift the shift lever while the
engine is warming up. If the ATF level
is extremely low, the automatic
transaxle could be damaged. 4. While the engine is still idling, pull out
the dipstick and wipe it clean, and then
put it back.
5. Check the ATF level. If there is no ATF adhering 5 mm from the end of the
dipstick, add ATF.
CAUTION
If there is no ATF adhering to the
dipstick even after the engine has
been warmed up, do not drive the
vehicle. Otherwise, the automatic
transaxle could be damaged.
6. Shift the shift lever to each range and position, and make sure there is no
abnormality.
7. Drive the vehicle on city roads for 5 km (3.1 mile) or more.
8. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
9. Shift the shift lever to the park position (P), check the ATF level while the
engine is idling, and make sure that the
ATF level is within the proper level. If
the ATF level is not within the proper
level, add ATF. The proper fluid level
is marked on the dipstick as follows.
Full
OK
Low
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Maintenance and Care
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Black plate (413,1)
CAUTION
ØUse the cold scale only as a
reference.
Ø If outside temperature is lower
than about 20 °C (70 °F), start the
engine and inspect the fluid level
after the engine reaches operating
temperature.
Ø If the vehicle has been driven for
an extended period at high speeds
or in city traffic in hot weather,
inspect the level only after
stopping the engine and allowing
the fluid to cool for 30 minutes.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it does not pass full.
NOTE
Inspect the fluid on both sides of the dipstick in
a well lit area for an accurate reading.
Washer Fluid
q Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-freeze
Protection in Cold Weather: Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous
as it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer
fluid with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict the use
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which
are commonly used as anti-freeze agents in
washer fluid. A washer fluid with limited VOC
content should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all regions and
climates in which the vehicle will be operated.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (414,1)
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
To inspect the washer fluid level in the
front reservoir, pull off the cap. Then,
holding your thumb over the hole in the
center of the cap, lift it straight up. The
fluid level can be seen from the fluid
column in the pipe. Add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable. But use only washer fluid in
cold weather to prevent it from freezing.
NOTE
Front and rear washer fluid is supplied from
the same reservoir.
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
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Black plate (415,1)
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
ØHot waxes applied by automatic
car washers have been known to
affect the wiper's ability to clean
windows.
Ø To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, do not use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
Ø When the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition is
switched ON, the wipers may
move automatically in the
following cases:
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
ØIf the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object.
ØIf the rain sensor is struck with
a hand or other object from
inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When
washing or servicing your Mazda,
make sure the wiper lever is in the
OFF position.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield
let the wiper arm down easily, don't
let it slap down on the windshield.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (416,1)
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pulluntil the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffener from each blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
CAUTION
ØDon't bend or discard the stiffener.
You need to use them again.
Ø If the metal stiffeners are
switched, the blade's wiping
efficiency could be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffener on the passenger's side,
or vice versa.
Ø Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffener in the new blade rubber
so that the curve is the same as it
was in the old blade rubber.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber. Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are toward the
bottom of the wiper arm.
qReplacing Rear Wiper Blade (5
Door)
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
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