2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

6–65
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Water Marks
Occurrence
Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can
contain harmful minerals such as salt and
lime. If moisture containing these minerals
settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the
minerals will concentrate and harden to
form white rings. The rings can damage
your vehicle's fi nish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its fi nish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you fi nd
water marks on your vehicle's fi nish.
Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tires hits
your vehicle.
How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances
of having your paint chipped by fl ying
gravel. NOTE
 y  The paint chipping zone varies with the
speed of the vehicle. For example, when
traveling at 90 km/h (56 mph), the paint
chipping zone is 50 m (164 ft).
 y In low temperatures a vehicle's fi nish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
 y Chipped paint can lead to rust forming
on your Mazda. Before this happens,
repair the damage by using Mazda
touch-up paint according to the
instructions in this section. Failure to
repair the affected area could lead to
serious rusting and expensive repairs.
Follow all label and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
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6–66
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Maintaining the Finish
Washing
CAUTION


6–67
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may damage the
protective coating; also, cleaners and
detergents may discolor or deteriorate
the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign material from the
underside of the fenders, and make sure
the drain holes in the lower edges of the
doors and rocker panels are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the fi nish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing with
plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the fi nish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been aff ected.
When using an automatic car wash
 y Retract the door mirrors. y The automatic car wash brushes could
reduce the paint lustre or hasten paint
deterioration.
When using a high water pressure car
wash
High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of car wash
machine. If the car washer nozzle is
put too close to the vehicle, the force of
the spray could damage or deform the
molding, affect the sealability of parts,
and allow water to penetrate the interior.
Keep a suffi cient space (30 cm (12 in) or
more) between the nozzle and the vehicle.
In addition, do not spend too much time
spraying the same area of the vehicle, and
be very careful when spraying between
gaps in doors and around windows.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the fi nish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.
1. Use wax which contains no abrasives.
Waxes containing abrasive will remove paint and could damage bright metal
parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors.
3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.
4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
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6–68
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
NOTE
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and
similar materials will usually also take off
the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest
of the vehicle does not need it.
Repairing Damage to the Finish
Deep scratches or chips on the fi nish
should be repaired promptly. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
repairs.
CAUTION
If your Mazda is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced,
make sure the body shop applies anti-
corrosion materials to all parts, both
repaired and new. This will prevent
them from rusting.
Bright-Metal Maintenance
 y  Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
 y  To prevent corrosion on bright-
metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
 y  During cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating
and cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, fl oor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly fl ush the underbody and wheel
housings with lukewarm or cold water at
the end of each winter. Try also to do this
every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped there
will cause rusting.
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*Some models.6–69
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been aff ected.
Aluminum Wheel Maintenance *
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
mild detergent. Before using any
detergent, verify the ingredients.
Otherwise, the product could discolor
or stain the aluminum wheels.
NOTE
 y Do not use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent
on aluminum wheels. They may damage
the coating.
 y Always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
 Rinse the wheels thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Also, be sure
to clean the wheels after driving on
dusty or salted roads to help prevent
corrosion.
 y Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
Plastic Part Maintenance
 y When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectifi ed spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a signifi cant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, fl ush with water
immediately.
 y  If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fl uids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fl uid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fl uids using a
soft cloth immediately.
 y  High water temperature and high water
pressure car washers are available
depending on the type of high pressure
car washer device. If the car washer
nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or
aimed at one area for an extended period
of time, it could deform plastic parts or
damage the paint.
 y  Do not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage.
 y  In addition, do not use an electrical or
air tool to apply wax. Otherwise, the
frictional heat generated could result
in deformation of plastic parts or paint
damage.
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*Some models.6–70
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water in the cabin: Splashing water on electrical parts
such as the audio unit and switches
is dangerous as it could cause a
malfunction or a fi re.
Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They will damage and discolor
the dashboard. If these solutions get on the
dashboard, wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
Instrument panel top (soft pad)
 y  Extremely soft material is used for the
soft pad surface. When cleaning, it is
recommended that you use a clean towel
dampened in a mild detergent to remove
soiling.
 y  If the soft pad surface is rubbed harshly,
it could result in the surface being
damaged leaving white scratch marks.
Cleaning the Upholstery and Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leather
*
Remove dust and sand fi rst using a
vacuum cleaner or other means, then wipe
dirt off using a soft cloth with a leather
cleaner or a soft cloth soaked in mild soap.
Wipe off the remaining cleaner or soap
using a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
Remove moisture with a dry, soft cloth
and allow the leather to further dry in a
well-ventilated, shaded area. If the leather
gets wet such as from rain, also remove
moisture and dry it as soon as possible.
NOTE
 y  Because genuine leather is a natural
material, its surface is not uniform and
it may have natural scars, scratches,
and wrinkles.
 y To maintain the quality for as long as
possible, periodical maintenance, about
twice a year, is recommended.
 y Sand and dust on the seat surface may
damage the overcoat of the genuine
leather surfaces and accelerate wear.
 y Greasy soiling on genuine leather may
cause molding and stains.
 y Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or cloth
may cause damage.
 y Do not wipe the leather using alcohol,
chlorine bleach, or organic solvents
such as thinner, benzene, or gasoline.
Otherwise, it may cause discoloration
or stains.
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*Some models.6–71
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
 y If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth. Remaining
moisture on the surface may cause
deterioration such as hardening and
shrinkage.
 y Exposure to direct sunlight for long
periods may cause deterioration and
shrinkage. When parking the car under
direct sunlight for long periods, shade
the interior using sunshades.
 y Do not leave vinyl products on the seats
for long periods as they may affect
the leather quality and coloring. If the
cabin temperature becomes hot, the
vinyl may deteriorate and adhere to the
genuine leather.
Fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
To keep the fabric looking clean and fresh,
take care of it. Otherwise its color will be
affected, it can be stained easily, and its
fi re-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners
and procedures. Others may aff ect
appearance and fi re-resistance.
Panel
When the interior panels need to be
cleaned, use soft material such as a soft
cloth soaked in clean water and wrung
out well and lightly wipe off dirt from
the surface. If a panel requires further
cleaning, use the following procedure.
1. Wipe dirt off using a soft cloth soaked in mild detergent (about 5% solution).
2. Wipe off any remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
NOTE
 y Do not wipe leather parts using alcohol,
chlorine bleach, or organic solvents
such as thinner, benzene, or gasoline.
Otherwise, it may cause discoloration
or stains.
 y Scratches or nicks on the panels and
metallic trim resulting from the use
of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
 y Be particularly careful when cleaning
high lustre panels and metallic trim as
they can be easily scratched.
Maintenance of the Active Driving Display
The combiner and mirror surface have a
special coating. When cleaning, do not use
a hard or rough-surface cloth, or cleaning
detergent. In addition, if a chemical
solvent gets on the active driving display,
wipe it off immediately. Otherwise, the
combiner and mirror could be damaged
and the surface coating could be scratched.
Use a fi ne, soft cloth such as those used
for cleaning eyeglasses.
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6–72
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Do not bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is no
remaining moisture before retracting them.
WARNING
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection.
Cleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy fi lm, clean them with
glass cleaner. Follow the directions on the
container.
CAUTION