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2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull
until 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.
ØIf 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.
ØBe 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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Maintenance and Care
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CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
1. Remove the cover and raise the wiper
arm.
2. Firmly rotate the wiper blade to the
right until it unlocks, then remove the
blade.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the rear
window let the wiper arm down
easily, don't let it slap down on the
rear window.3. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of the blade holder.
4. Remove the metal stiffeners from each
blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
CAUTION
Don't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Page 499 of 611
5. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Battery
WARNING
Wash hands after handling the battery and related accessories:
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Read the following precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting
to ensure safe and correct handling:
Always wear eye protection when working near the battery:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID
which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.
Wear eye protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery
fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in
eyes, or on the skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with
water for 15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention.
Always keep batteries out of the reach of children:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin.
Keep flames and sparks away from open battery cells and do not allow metal
tools to contact the positive (
) or negative () terminal of the battery when
working near a battery. Do not allow the positive (
) terminal to contact the vehicle
body:
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. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Page 501 of 611
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.
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Maintenance and Care
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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
3 Pull out the battery cover being
careful not to allow it to contact
the cowl grille.
Battery cover
Cowl grille
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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 grilleTab
Hole
SKYACTIV-G 2.0
Cowl grilleTabs
Holes
MZR 2.0, MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo
and MZR 2.5
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.
When replacing the battery, refer to the
specification charts (page 10-4).
qInspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper level
Lower level
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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 10-12)
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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