6–2
Maintenance and Care
Essential Information
Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you are unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for y\
our vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made esp\
ecially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
To continue warranty eligibility and to protect your investment, it is yo\
ur responsibility to
properly maintain your vehicle according to factory recommended schedule\
s outlined in this
manual. As part of this you must keep your maintenance records, receipts, repair\
orders and
any other documents as evidence this maintenance was performed. You must present these
documents, should any warranty coverage disagreement occur. Failure to do so can result in
your warranty being voided either in whole or in part.
This evidence may consist of the following:
The Mazda Scheduled Maintenance Record, refer to the Warranty Booklet, must be
completely filled out showing mileage, repair order number, date for each service, and
signed by a qualified automotive service technician who service vehicles.
Original copies of repair orders or other receipts that include the mile\
age and date the
vehicle was serviced. Each receipt should be signed by a qualified automotive service
technician.
For self maintenance, a statement that you completed the maintenance you\
rself,
displaying mileage and the date the work was performed. Also, receipts for the
replacement parts (fluid, filters, etc.) indicating the date and mileage must accompany this
statement.
NOTE
If you elect to perform maintenance yourself or have your vehicle servic\
ed at a location
other than an Authorized Mazda Dealer, Mazda requires that all fluids, parts and materials
must meet Mazda standards for durability and performance as described in this manual.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as oppos\
ed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
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6–22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Owner Maintenance Precautions
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.
When Refueling
Brake and clutch fluid level (page 6-32) Engine coolant level (page 6-30) Engine oil level (page 6-30) Washer fluid level (page 6-32)
At Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 6-43)
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mec\
hanical ability
and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this m\
anual.
Engine coolant (page 6-30) Engine oil (page 6-27)
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 6-2), 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.
Refer to Introduction (page 6-2) for owner's responsibility in protecting your investment.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If you
are 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.
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6–23
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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.
Pull over to a safe location, then switch the ignition 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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6–27
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Engine Oil
NOTE
Changing the engine oil should be
performed by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Refer to Introduction (page 6-2) for
owner's responsibility in protecting your
investment.
Recommended Oil
U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto Rico
Use SAE 0W-20 engine oil.
Mazda Genuine Oil is used in your
Mazda vehicle. Mazda Genuine 0W-20
Oil is required to achieve optimum fuel
economy.
For maintenance service, Mazda
recommends Mazda Genuine Parts and
Castrol
® (U.S.A. only).
(ILSAC)
Only use SAE 0W-20 oil “Certified For
Gasoline Engines” by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
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
100
4020100–10–20–30–40
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6–70
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Maintaining the Finish
Washing
CAUTION
When the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a
cloth.
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is
switched ON as fingers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off
completely (when it is most likely
that the engine is left running) this is
particularly important when clearing ice
and snow.
Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could result
in engine-starting problems or damage
to electrical parts.
When washing and waxing the vehicle,
be careful not to apply excessive force to
any single area of the vehicle roof or the
antenna. Otherwise, you could dent the
vehicle or damage the antenna.To help protect the finish from rust
and deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.
Scratches occur on the paint surface when:
The vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter. The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry
,
or dirty cloth. The vehicle is washed at a car wash that
uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff. Cleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
Mazda is not responsible for scratches
caused by automatic car washes or
improper washing.
Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter
using lukewarm or cold water before
washing.
Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
Rub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle. Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained. Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
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7–5
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
4. Insert the cover tabs and install the
cover.
(4-Door)
Tabs
Tabs
(5-Door)
NOTE
Verify that the cover is securely installed.
Maintenance
Always keep the jack clean. Make sure the moving parts are kept
free from dirt or rust. Make sure the screw thread is
adequately lubricated.
Spare Tire
Your Mazda has a temporary spare tire.
The temporary spare tire is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tire, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spare tires should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Do not install the temporary spare tire
on the front wheels (driving wheels):Driving with the temporary spare tire
on one of the front driving wheels is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle,
especially on ice or snow bound roads,
and have an accident. Move a regular
tire to the front wheel and install the
temporary spare tire to the rear.
CAUTION
When using the temporary spare tire,
driving stability may decrease compared
to when using only the conventional tire.
Drive carefully.
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare tire or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph). Avoid driving over obstacles. Also, do
not drive through an automatic car
wash. This tire's diameter is smaller
than a conventional tire, so the
ground clearance is reduced.
Do not use a tire chain on this tire
because it will not fit properly. Do not use your temporary spare
tire on any other vehicle, it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
Use only one t emporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
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8–13
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.A.)
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash \
or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mazda Motor Corporation (Your Mazda
Importer/Distributor).
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that
a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and\
remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mazda Motor Corporation (Your Mazda Importer/Distributor).
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-
4236 (TTY:1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator,
NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 20590. You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
NOTE
If you live in the U.S.A., all correspondence to Mazda Motor Corporation should be
forwarded to:
Mazda North American Operations
7755 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618-2922
or
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
Customer Experience Center or toll free at 1 (800) 222-5500
If you live outside of the U.S.A., please contact the nearest Mazda Distributor shown (page
8-12) in this booklet.
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8–18
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Warranty
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories
Non-genuine parts and accessories for Mazda vehicles can be found in stores.
These may fit your vehicle, but they are not approved by Mazda for use with Mazda
vehicles. When you install non-genuine parts or accessories, they could affect your vehicle's
performance or safety systems; the Mazda warranty doesn't cover this. Before you install
any non-genuine parts or accessories, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Always consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before you install non-genuine parts or
accessories:Improperly designed parts or accessories could seriously affect your vehicle's performance
or safety systems. This could cause you to have an accident or increase your chances of
injuries in an accident.
Be very careful in choosing and installing add-on electrical equipment, such as mobile
telephones, two-way radios, stereo systems, and car alarm systems: Incorrectly choosing or installing improper add-on equipment or choosing an improper
installer is dangerous. Essential systems could be damaged, causing engine stalling, air-
bag (SRS) activation, ABS/TCS/DSC inactivation, or a fire in the vehicle.
Mazda assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from the
installation of add-on non-genuine parts or accessories.
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