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CAUTION
ØRadiator 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.
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
WARNING
If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes inspected: A low brake/clutch fluid level is
dangerous.
A low level could indicate brake
lining wear or a brake system leak
which could cause the brakes to fail
and lead to an accident.
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept between the
MAX and MIN lines.
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Power Steering Fluid
qInspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the power
steering pump, do not operate the
vehicle for long periods when the
power steering fluid level is low.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If the fluid decreases significantly or the
fluid level is around MIN or lower than
MIN, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
í
q Inspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
CAUTION
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.
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 the ATF level does not reach 5 mm (0.2 in) from the
end of the dipstick, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
vehicle inspected.
8-24
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
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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. With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever from the park position
(P) to drive position (D) at intervals of
several seconds, and then shift to the
park position (P) again.
7. Drive 5 km (4 mile) or more in a city.
8. Park on a level surface, shift the shift lever to the park position (P) and set
the parking brake firmly.
9. While the engine is still idling, pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean, and then
reinsert it.
10. Check the ATF level. The proper fluid level indicated on the dipstick should
be as follows.
Full
OK
Low
CAUTION
Ø Use 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.
If the ATF level does not reach the
appropriate level, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
NOTE
Inspect the fluid on both sides of the dipstick in
a well lit area for an accurate reading.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Washer Fluid
qInspecting 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.
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.
8-26
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Owner Maintenance
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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.
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm blades
when raising both the driver and passenger
side wiper arms, raise the driver side wiper
arm first. Conversely, when setting down the
wiper arms, set the passenger side wiper arm
down first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
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. 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 stiffeners from each blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
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CAUTION
ØDon't bend or discard the
stiffeners. 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
stiffeners on the passenger's side,
or vice versa.
Ø Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners 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 Window Wiper
Blade
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
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 theright 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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (360,1)
3. Pull down the blade rubber and slide itout 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. 5. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
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Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8DH4-EA-13H