2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

6–69
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 finish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you find
water marks on your vehicle's finish.
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 flying
gravel.NOTE
 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).
 In low temperatures a vehicle's finish
hardens. This increases the chance of
paint chipping.
 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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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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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 finish 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 finish.
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 affected.
When using an automatic car wash
 Retract the door mirrors. 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 sufficient 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.
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6–72
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
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.
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 finish
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
 Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
 To prevent corrosion on bright-
metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
 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, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel
housings with lukewarm or cold water at
the end of each winter. Try also to do this
every month.
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6–73
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
*Some models.
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.
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 affected.
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
 Do not use a wir e brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent
on aluminum wheels. They may damage
the coating.
 Always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
Rinse the wheels thor oughly with
lukewarm or cold water. Also, be sure
to clean the wheels after driving on
dusty or salted roads to help prevent
corrosion.
 Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.
Plastic Part Maintenance
 When cleaning the plastic lenses of the
lights, do not use gasoline, kerosene,
rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolor or damage the
surfaces resulting in a significant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, flush with water
immediately.
 If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fluids such as
gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery
fluid, it could cause discoloration,
staining, or paint peeling. Wipe off any
such chemical agents or fluids using a
soft cloth immediately.
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6–74
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
 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.
 Do not use wax containing compounds
(polish). Otherwise, it could result in
paint damage.
 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.
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water into the vehicle
cabin:Spraying water into the vehicle cabin is
dangerous as electrical devices such as
the audio and switches could get wet
resulting in a malfunction or vehicle
fire.
NOTE
 Do not wipe the interior using alcohol,
chlorine bleach, or organic solvents
such as thinner, benzene, and gasoline.
Otherwise, it may cause discoloration
or stains.
 Rubbing har d with a stiff brush or cloth
may cause damage.
If the vehicle interior becomes soiled
by any of the following, wipe it off
immediately using a soft cloth.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
discoloration, stains, cracks, or peeling
of the coating, and it will make it hard to
wipe off later.
 Beverage or fragrance Grease or oil Soiling
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6–75
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
*Some models.
Seat Belt Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly dabbing
it with a soft cloth soaked in a mild
detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with
water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
3. Before retracting seat belts which have
been pulled out for cleaning, dry them
off thoroughly and make sure there is
no remaining moisture on them.
WARNING
If a seat belt appears frayed or has
abrasions, have it replaced by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer:If a seat belts is used under such a
condition, it cannot function at its full
capacity which could result in serious
injury or death.
Use a mild detergent to remove soiling
from a seat belt: If organic solvents are used for
cleaning the seat belts or they
become stained or bleached, there
is the possibility of them becoming
weakened and as a result, they may
not function at their full capacity
which could cause serious injury or
death.
NOTE
Clean seat belts diligently if they get
dirty. Leaving them uncleaned will make
it difficult to clean them later, and it may
affect the smooth retracting of the seat
belt.
Vinyl Upholstery Maintenance
Remove dust and dirt from the vinyl
upholstery using a brush or vacuum.
Remove soiling from vinyl upholstery
using a leather and vinyl upholstery
cleaner.
Upholstery Maintenance
1. Clean the soiled area by lightly dabbing
it with a soft cloth soaked in a mild
detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with
water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
Leather Upholstery Maintenance*
1. Remove dust and sand using a vacuum
cleaner.
2. Wipe off the soiled area with a soft
cloth and a suitable, special cleaner or
a soft cloth soaked in a mild detergent
(about 5%) diluted with water.
3. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
4. 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,
remove the moisture and dry it as soon
as possible.
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6–76
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
*Some models.
NOTE
 Because genuine leather is a natural
material, its surface is not uniform and
it may have natural scars, scratches,
and wrinkles.
 To maintain the quality for as long as
possible, periodical maintenance, about
twice a year, is recommended.
 If the leather upholstery comes into
contact with any of the following, clean
it immediately.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
premature wear, mold, or stains.
 Sand or dirt Grease or oil, such as hand cream Alcohol, such as in cosmetic or hair
dressing items
 If the leather upholstery gets wet,
promptly remove moisture with a dry
cloth. Remaining moisture on the
surface may cause deterioration such as
hardening and shrinkage.
 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.
 Do not leave vinyl products on the
leather upholstery for long periods.
They may affect the leather quality
and coloring. If the cabin temperature
becomes hot, the vinyl may deteriorate
and adhere to the genuine leather.
Plastic Part Maintenance
CAUTION
Do not use polishing agents.
Depending on the product ingredients,
they could cause discoloration, stains,
cracks or peeling of the coating.
Instrument Panel Top (Soft pad)
Maintenance
Extremely soft material is used for the
soft pad surface. If the soft pad surface is
rubbed harshly with a dry cloth, it could
result in the surface being damaged and
leaving white scratch marks.
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft cloth
soaked in a mild detergent (approx.
5%) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
Active Driving Display
Maintenance*
The combiner and mirror surface have
a special coating. When cleaning it, do
not use a hard cloth, a cloth with a rough
surface, or cleaning detergent. Use a fine-
textured, soft cloth.
If a chemical solvent gets on the combiner
or mirror surface, wipe it off immediately.
Otherwise, they could be damaged and the
surface coating could be scratched.
Panel Maintenance
If a panel becomes soiled, wipe it off with
a soft cloth soaked in clean water and
thoroughly wrung out.
If some areas require further cleaning, use
the following procedure:
1. Wipe the soiled area with a soft cloth
soaked in a mild detergent (approx. 5
%) diluted with water.
2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using
a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
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