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 it s 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.
▼ Maintaining the Finish
Wa s h i n g
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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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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.
Otherwise, you could dent the vehicle.
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 ar e 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 brush es well maintained.
•Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
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 w ater. 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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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NOTE
•Do not use a wire 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 thoroughly 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 g
asoline, 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.
•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.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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7If Trouble Arises
Helpful information on what to do if a problem arises with the vehicle.
Parking in an Emergency................. 7-2 Parking in an Emergency..............7-2
Flat Tire.............................................. 7-3 Spare Tire and Tool Storage......... 7-3
Changing a Flat Tire................... 7-10
Battery Runs Out............................ 7-21 Jump-Starting............................. 7-21
Emergency Starting.........................7-24 Starting a Flooded Engine.......... 7-24
Push-Starting.............................. 7-24
Overheating......................................7-25 Overheating................................ 7-25
Emergency Towing.......................... 7-27 Towing Description.................... 7-27
Towing Hooks (Mexico ).............7-28
Warning/Indicator Lights and
Warning Sounds.............................. 7-30
If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes........................................ 7-30
Message Indicated on
Display........................................7-44
Message Indicated in Multi-
information Display
*.................. 7-46
Warning Sound is Activated....... 7-47
When Liftgate Cannot be
Opened..............................................7-52 When Liftgate Cannot be
Opened........................................7-52
Active Driving Display Does Not
Operate
*........................................... 7-53
If the Active Driving Display Does
Not Operate................................ 7-53
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Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
•Steering becomes difficult.
•The vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
•The vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WA R N I N G
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not done
properly. The vehicle can slip off the jack
and seriously injure someone.
No person should place any portion of their
body under a vehicle that is supported by a
jack.
Never allow anyone inside a vehicle
supported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a vehicle
supported by a jack is dangerous. The
occupant could cause the vehicle to fall
resulting in serious injury.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
1. Park on a hard, level surface off the right-of-way and firml y set the parking
brake.
2. Shift into Park (P) and turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size if
possible to hold the tire in place.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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WARNING
Do not jack up the vehicle higher than
is necessary:
Jacking up the vehicle higher than is
necessary is dangerous as it could
destabilize the vehicle resulting in an
accident.
Do not start the engine or shake the
vehicle while it is jacked up:
Starting the engine or shaking the
vehicle while it is jacked up is
dangerous as it could cause the vehicle
to fall off the jack resulting in an
accident.
Never go under the vehicle while it is
jacked up:
Going under the vehicle while it is
jacked up is dangerous as it could result
in death or serious injury if the vehicle
were to fall off the jack.
8. Remove the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise; then remove the
wheel and center cap.
▼Locking Lug Nuts
If your vehicle has Mazda optional
antitheft wheel lug nuts, each wheel will
have one locking lug nut that locks the
wheel and tire, and you must use a special
key to unlock the locking lug nut. This key
is stored in the glove compartment.
Register the key and l
ug nuts with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove compartment and
mailing it in the accompanying envelope.
If you lose this key, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer or use the lock
manufacturer's order form, which is with
the registration card.
Accessory wheel locks cannot be used on
steel wheels. This includes situations when
the spare tire is installed. If the spare tire is
installed, one of th e original lug nuts
(which should still be in the vehicle) must
be installed in place of the wheel lock.
Special key
Antitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the special key for the antitheft
lug nut.
2. Place the special key on top of the
antitheft lug nut, and be sure to hold
the key square to it. If you hold the key
at an angle, you may damage both key
and nut. Do not use a power impact
wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
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Jump-Starting
Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly. So follow the procedure carefully. If you feel
unsure about jump-starting, we strongly recommend that you have a competent service
technician do the work.
WA R N I N G
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the ba ttery, read the following precautions carefully
before using the battery or inspecting it.
Do not allow the positive () terminal to contact any other metal object that could
cause sparks:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced during
normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An exploding battery
can cause serious burns and injuries. When working near a battery, do not allow metal tools
to contact the positive (
) or negative () terminal of the battery.
Keep all flames, including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced during
normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An exploding battery
can cause serious burns and injuries.
Do not jump-start a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level:
Jump-starting a frozen battery or one with a low fluid level is dangerous. It may rupture or
explode, causing serious injury.
Connect the negative cable to a good ground point away from the battery:
Connecting the end of the second jumper cable to the negative (
) terminal of the discharged
battery is dangerous.
A spark could cause the gas around the battery to explode and injure someone.
Route the jumper cables away from parts that will be moving:
Connecting a jumper cable near or to moving parts (cooling fans, belts) is dangerous. The
cable could get caught when the engine starts and cause serious injury.
If Trouble Arises
Battery Runs Out
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1. Remove the battery cover.
2. Make sure the booster battery is 12 Vand that its negative terminal is
grounded.
3. If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, do not allow both vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the
vehicle with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles.
4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact sequence as in the illustration.
•Connect one end of a cable to the
positive terminal o n the discharged
battery (1).
•Attach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery (2).
•Connect one end of the other cable
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery (3).
•Connect the other end to the ground
point indicated in the illustration
away from the discharged battery
(4).
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run it a few min utes. Then start the
engine of the other vehicle.
6. When finished, carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order
described in the illustration.
7. If the battery cover has been removed, install it in the reverse order of
removal.
NOTE
Verify that the covers are securely
installed.
If Trouble Arises
Battery Runs Out
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