Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Maz da Dealer to check
the following:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-27.
•Inspect the ba ttery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-25).
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-29).
NOTE
•Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
•Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
•Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
•Drive slowly. Braking performance can
be adversely affected if snow or ice
adheres to the brake components. If this
situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
▼ Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never more
than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is origina lly equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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▼Warning Indication/Warning Lights
These lights turn on or flash to notify the user of the system
operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Page
Brake System Warning Indication/Warning Light*1*27-30
ABS Warning Light*1
Electronic Brake
Force Distribu- tion System
Wa r n i n g 7-30
ABS warning 7-33
Charging System Warning Indication/Warning Light*17-30
Engine Oil Warning Light*17-30
(Red) High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Indication/Warning Ligh
t
*17-30
Power Steering Malfunction Indication/Malfunction Indicator Light*17-30
Master Warning Indication/Warning Light*17-33
Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Indication/Warning Light 7-33
*Engine Oil Level Warning Indication 7-33
Check Engine Light*17-33
Automatic Transaxle Warning Indication/Warning Light*17-33
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
4-32*Some models.
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▼Wrench Indicator Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
wrench indicator light turns on and then
turns off after a few seconds.
The wrench indicator light turns on under
the following conditions:
•When the preset maintenance period has
arrived.
•When it’s time to replace the engine oil.
Refer to Maintenance Monitor on page 6-
18.
▼ Low Engine Coolant Temperature
Indicator Light (Blue)*
The light illuminates continuously when
the engine coolant temperature is low and
turns off after the engine is warm.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.4-39
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Scheduled Maintenance (U.S.A., Canada, and Puerto
Rico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
(severe driving conditions)apply.
•Repeated short-distance driving
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Driving with extended use of brakes
•Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are us ed
•Driving on rough or muddy roads
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
•Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humi d climates
•Driving in extremely hot conditions
•Driving in mountainous conditions continually
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2. (Canada residents follow Sc hedule 2.)
Vehicles using Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance
Engine Oil Flexible Maintenance is selected by default for U.S.A. and Puerto Rico
residents.
If any following conditions do apply, follow Schedule 2 with en gine oil fixed maintenance.
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation such as police car, taxi or driving
school car
•Driving in dusty conditions
The vehicle calculates the remaining oil life based on engine o perating conditions. The
vehicle lets you know when an oil change is due by illuminating the wrench indicator light
in the instrument cluster. Change the oil as soon as possible w ithin the next 1000 km (600
mile) or 15 days. Refer pa ge 6-18 for the details.
NOTE
•Please ensure that the Flexible Oil Maintenance Setting is reset after each Oil and Filter
replacement.
•For maintenance guidelines beyond the miles/months listed, follow the maintenance
intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico)
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
(severe driving conditions) apply.
•Repeated short-distance driving
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Driving with extended use of brakes
•Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are us ed
•Driving on rough or muddy roads
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
•Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humi d climates
•Driving in extremely hot conditions
•Driving in mountainous conditions continually
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2.
NOTE
For maintenance guidelines beyond the kilome ters/months listed, follow the maintenance
intervals provided in the Scheduled Maintenance Tables.
▼ Schedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers, whichever comes first
Months 6 1218243036424854606672
×1000 km 102030405060708090100110120
ENGINE
Drive belts II I
Engine oil & filter
*1RRRRRRRRRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system II I
Engine coolant
*2Replace at first 200,000 km or 10 years; after that, every 100,000 km or 5 years
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter RRRRRR
Fuel lines and hoses I
*3I*3I
Hoses and tubes for emission I
*3I*3I
Fuel filter Replace every 60,000 km
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs IIIIIIIIIIII
Replace every 64,000 km
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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▼Inspecting Engine Oil Level
1. Be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface.
2. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to ret urn to the oil pan.
4. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully.
MAX
MIN OK
5. Pull it out again and examine the level.
The level is normal if it is between the
MIN and MAX marks.
If it is near or below MIN, add enough
oil to bring the level to MAX.
CAUTION
Do not overfill the engine oil. This may
cause engine damage.
6. Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick.
7. Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Engine Coolant
▼ Inspecting Coolant Level
WA R N I N G
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has
been running, parts of the engine
compartment can become very hot. You
could be burned. Carefully inspect the
engine coolant in the coolant reservoir, but
do not open it.
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 remove either cooling
system cap when the engine and radiator
are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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WA R N I N G
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 seal ability 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 wh en spraying between
gaps in doors and around windows.
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.
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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