2017 MAZDA MODEL 6 ESP

6–37
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Battery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
 Keep it securely mounted. Keep the top clean and dry. Keep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly or
terminal grease.
 Rinse off spilled electrolyte immediately
with a solution of water and baking
soda.
 If the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Inspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper le vel
Lo wer le vel
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once
a week. If it is low, remove the caps and
add enough distilled water to bring the
level between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Do not overfill.
Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it is low, recharge
the battery.
Battery Recharging
NOTE
 Before performing maintenance or
recharging the battery, turn off all
accessories and stop the engine.
 To disconnect the battery, remove the
negative cable first. Install it last when
connecting the battery.
 Be sure to remove the caps before
recharging the battery.
 If the battery quickly discharges
because, for example, the lights were
left on too long with the engine off,
slow-charge it as required by battery
size and charger capacity.
 If the battery gradually discharges
because of high electric load while the
vehicle is being used, recharge it as
required by battery size and charger
capacity.
Battery Replacement
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer for a
battery replacement purchase.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 372016/07/07 13:46:13

6–66
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.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 662016/07/07 13:46:22

7–5
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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 temporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
To remove the spare tire
1. Lift the trunk mat.

T runk mat
2. Turn the spare tire hold-down bolt
counterclockwise.

Spare tire hold-do wn bolt
To secure the spare tire
Store the spare tire in the reverse order
of removal. After storing, verify that the
spare tire is stored securely.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 52016/07/07 13:46:25

8–14
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
8-13) in this manual.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 142016/07/07 13:46:38

8–19
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.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 192016/07/07 13:46:39

8–20
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Cell Phones
Cell Phones Warning
WARNING
Please comply with the legal regulations concerning the use of communication
equipment in vehicles in your country:Use of any electrical devices such as cell phones, computers, portable radios, vehicle
navigation or other devices by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. Dialing
a number on a cell phone while driving also ties-up the driver's hands. Use of these
devices will cause the driver to be distracted and could lead to a serious accident. If a
passenger is unable to use the device, pull off the right-of-way to a safe area before use.
If use of a cell phone is necessary despite this warning, use a hands-free system to at least
leave the hands free to drive the vehicle. Never use a cell phone or other electrical devices
while the vehicle is moving and, instead, concentrate on the full-time job of driving.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 202016/07/07 13:46:39

8–24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under c\
ontrolled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degener\
ate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
Keep your vehicle's tires properly inflated and not overloaded:
Driving with improperly inflated or overloaded tires is dangerous. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires o\
ver the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.
The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicles may vary
with respect to grade.
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND TO
ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A
UTQGS MARK (e xample)
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 242016/07/07 13:46:39

8–36
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to ke\
ep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight \
ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle: Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Mazda6_8FH2-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 362016/07/07 13:46:41