2021 MAZDA MODEL 6 overheating

Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the selector lever
from D to R position.
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 Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-26.
Inspect the battery 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 6-22).
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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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▼Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
The blue range of the gauge indicates that
the engine coolant temperature is low, and
the red range of the gauge indicates that
the engine coolant temperature is high and
overheating.

CAUTION
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle is in the red range, there is the
possibility of overheating. Drive slowly to
reduce engine load until you can find a safe
place to stop the vehicle and wait for the
engine to cool down.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-20.
NOTE
(SKYACTIV-G 2.5T, SKYACTIV-D 2.2)
If the engine coolant temperature is high
or the engine is hot, the engine output
may be limited.
▼Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full.

Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the low fuel warni
ng light illuminates or
the fuel level is very low, refuel as soon as
possible.
If inconsistency in engine performance or
stalling occurs due to low fuel level
conditions, refuel the vehicle as soon as
possible and add at least 10 L (2.7 US gal,
2.2 Imp gal) of fuel.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-35.
NOTE
After refueling, it may require some time
for the indicator to stabilize. In addition,
the indicator may deviate while driving
on a slope or curve since the fuel moves
in the tank.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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▼Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
The blue range of the gauge indicates that
the engine coolant temperature is low, and
the red range of the gauge indicates that
the engine coolant temperature is high and
overheating.

CAUTION
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light (red)
flashes, there is a
possibility of overheating. Drive slowly to
reduce engine load until you can find a safe
place to stop the vehicle and wait for the
engine to cool down.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-20.
NOTE
(SKYACTIV-G 2.5T, SKYACTIV-D 2.2)
If the engine coolant temperature is high
or the engine is hot, the engine output
may be limited.
The temperature unit (Centigrade/
Fahrenheit) of the engine coolant gauge
display changes in conjunction with the
temperature unit of the outside
temperature display.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
▼ Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full.

Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the fuel level is low, () and () turn an
amber color. Refuel as soon as possible.
If inconsistency in engine performance or
stalling occurs due to low fuel level
conditions, refuel the vehicle as soon as
possible and add at least 10 L (2.7 US gal,
2.2 Imp gal) of fuel.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-35.
NOTE
After refueling, it may require some time
for the indicator to stabilize. In addition,
the indicator may deviate while driving
on a slope or curve since the fuel moves
in the tank.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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▼Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
The white range of the gauge indicates
that the engine coolant temperature is low,
and the red range of the gauge indicates
that the engine coolant temperature is high
and overheating.

CAUTION
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle (white) flashes, there is a possibility
of overheating. Drive slowly to reduce
engine load until you can
find a safe place
to stop the vehicle and wait for the engine
to cool down.
Refer to Overheating on page 7-20.
NOTE
(SKYACTIV-G 2.5T)
If the engine coolant temperature is high
or the engine is hot, the engine output
may be limited.
The temperature unit (Centigrade/
Fahrenheit) of the engine coolant gauge
display changes in conjunction with the
temperature unit of the outside
temperature display.
Refer to the Settings section in the
Mazda Connect Owner's Manual.
▼ Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4 full.

Full
1/4 Full
Empty
If the low fuel w
arning light illuminates or
the fuel level is very low, refuel as soon as
possible.
If inconsistency in e ngine performance or
stalling occurs due to low fuel level
conditions, refuel the vehicle as soon as
possible and add at least 10 L (2.7 US gal,
2.2 Imp gal) of fuel.
Refer to Taking Action on page 7-35.
NOTE
After refueling, it may require some time
for the indicator to st abilize. In addition,
the indicator may deviate while driving
on a slope or curve since the fuel moves
in the tank.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a direction
opposite to the direction selected by the
selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward with
the selector lever in a forward position, or
do not let the vehicle move forward with
the selector lever in the reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine may stop, causing
the loss of the power brake and power
steering functions, and make it difficult to
control the vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how much
the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
While the selector lever is in the M
position and the DSC is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
depressed. Operate the selector lever.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight and
grade steepness. Desce nd slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
When Driving
Automatic Transaxle
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8. Firmly press and release the “learn” or“smart” button. (The name and color
of the button may vary by
manufacturer.)
NOTE
Complete the progr amming within 30
seconds.
9. Return to the vehicle and firmly press,
hold for two seconds and release the
programmed HomeLink button. Repeat
the “ press/hold/release” sequence a
second time, and, depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or
other rolling code equipped device),
repeat this sequence a third time to
complete the programming process.
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
NOTE
To program the remaining two HomeLink
buttons, begin with “Programming” ―
step 1
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink at www.homelink.com or
1-800-355-3515 .
▼Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission ―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up
the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are designed
to “time-out” in the same manner.

If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the “Programming” procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
“Programming HomeLink” step 3 with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or
gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the “cycling” process to
prevent possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while you press and release ―
every two seconds (“cycle”) your
hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicat or light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with “Programming” step 4 to
complete.
▼ Operating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The code
will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
▼Reprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button. DO NOT release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to flash
after 20 seconds. Without releasing the
HomeLink button, proceed with
“Programming” - step 1.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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▼Gate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission ―
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up
the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are designed
to “time-out” in the same manner.

If you live in Canada or are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the programming procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
Step 3 of Programming the HomeLink
System with the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or
gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the “cycling” process to
prevent possible overheating.
While the indicator light is flashing in
amber, press the button on the hand-held
transmitter for 2 sec onds and release it
repeatedly until the indicator light changes
from amber to green.
Go back to Step 4 of Programming the
HomeLink System to complete the
procedure.
▼ Operating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device.
▼Reprogramming the HomeLink
system
To program a device to HomeLink using a
HomeLink button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink
button. DO NOT release the button.
2. After 20 seconds, the indicator light flashes in amber. After the indicator
light flashes, release the HomeLink
button.
3. Go back to Step 2 of Programming the HomeLink System to complete the
procedure.
NOTE
If the programming has not been
completed, the syst em returns to the
previous programming.
▼ Erasing Programmed HomeLink
Buttons
NOTE
All of the programmed HomeLink
buttons are reset.
Individual buttons
cannot be reset, however, individual
buttons can be reprogrammed. For
individual button reprogramming, refer
to Reprogramming the HomeLink
System (page 4-98).
Verify that the programming has been
erased if you resell the vehicle.
When Driving
Switches and Controls
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i-ACTIV AWD Operation*
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Contact Authorized Mazda
Dealer and Have Vehicle Inspected on
page 7-28.
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is off the ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground as a
result of the vehicle being stuck or in a
ditch is dangerous. The drive assembly
could be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.
▼ AWD Driving
This vehicle has not been designed for the
purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do
not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky
surfaces, or across rivers.
Although this vehicle is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and braking
operations should be conducted in the
same manner as with a non-AWD vehicle,
with the emphasis placed on safe driving.
▼Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large role
in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires at the same time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
Inspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods adjust to the specified
pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine tires of the specified size, on all
wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all 4 wheels being of the
same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.
Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the vehicle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.
▼ To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all 4 wheels completely off the
ground.
Refer to Towing Description on page
7-22.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
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