ESP MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2004 (in English) User Guide

8-2
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Introduction
Be extremely careful and prevent injury to yourself and others or damage to your vehicle
when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you’re unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you to have a reliable
and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for your vehicle.
Without this expertise and the parts that have been designed and made especially for your
Mazda, inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been performed as
prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as opposed to defective
materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda’s original equipment may
perform maintenance. But we recommend that it always be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer using genuine Mazda parts.
Introduction
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8-11
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions
only for items that are easy to perform.
As explained in the Introduction (page 8-2), several procedures can be done only by a
qualified service technician with special tools.
Improper owner maintenance during the warranty period may affect warranty coverage.
For details, read the separate Mazda Warranty statement provided with the vehicle. If
you’re unsure about any servicing or maintenance procedure, have it done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
There are strict environmental laws regarding the disposal of waste oil and fluids. Please
dispose of your waste properly and with due regard to the environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil and fluid changes of your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Owner Maintenance Precautions
Maintenance Procedures:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle is dangerous if not done properly. You can
be seriously injured while performing some maintenance procedures. If you lack
sufficient knowledge and experience or the proper tools and equipment to do the
work, have it done by a qualified technician.
Running the Engine:
Working under the hood with the engine running is dangerous. It becomes even more
dangerous when you wear jewelry or loose clothing.
Either can become entangled in moving parts and result in injury.
Therefore, if you must run the engine while working under the hood, make certain
that you remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, and necklaces) and
all neckties, scarves, and similar loose clothing before getting near the engine or
cooling fan which may turn on unexpectedly.
Electrical Fan and Engine Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition switch in the ON position is dangerous. The
cooling fan could come on unexpectedly even when the engine isn’t running. You
could be seriously injured by the fan. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key
from the ignition switch when you inspect the engine.
WARNING
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Changing Engine Oil and Filter
Change engine oil and filter according to
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Please act responsibly—protect the
environment and take used oil to a
recycling facility. Ask your dealer or a
service station for information.
Changing engine oil
1. Warm up the engine for a few minutes
and turn it off. Remove the oil-filler
cap.
2. Remove the drain plug and drain the oil
into a suitable container.
3. Replace the drain plug washer after the
oil has thoroughly drained.
4. Reinstall the plug tightly.
5. Fill the engine with new oil to the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
6. Securely reinstall the oil-filler cap.
7. Start the engine and inspect around the
drain plug for leaks.
8. Turn it off and wait 5 minutes for the
oil to return to the oil pan.
Check the oil level and fill to the MAX
mark if necessary.
Oil capacity (General reference only,
refer to Specifications section for
capacities.)

Handling Used Engine Oil:
Continuous contact with used engine
oil is dangerous. It could cause skin
cancer. Always wash with soap and
water immediately after changing oil
and filter.
Remove any oil splatter from the
exhaust manifold, the exhaust pipe and
the shield. Oil left on these areas will
smoke when the engine is running.
Checking or Changing Engine Oil:
Hot engine oil is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, the engine
oil becomes very hot. You could be
seriously burned. Don’t check or
change the engine oil when the
engine is hot.
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
FrontLoosen
Drain plugTighten
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8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

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.

Inspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once a
week. If it’s low, remove the cap and add
enough distilled water to bring the level
between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Don’t overfill.

Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it’s low, recharge
the battery.
NOTE
Remove the battery cover before
performing battery maintenance.
Battery coverUpper level
Lower level
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8-53
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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
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.Exterior Care
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position and the ignition switch is in
the ON position, the wipers may move
automatically in the following cases:
•If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
•If the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
•If the windshield is given a shock.
•If the rain sensor is given a shock
from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When washing or
servicing your Mazda, make sure the
wiper lever is in the OFF position.
CAUTION
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.
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9-13
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Wa r r a n t y
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 system; the Mazda warranty doesn’t cover this. Before you
install any non-genuine parts or accessories, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Mazda assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from the
installation of add-on non-genuine parts or accessories.
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and Accessories
Installation of Non-Genuine Parts or Accessories:
Installation of non-genuine parts or accessories is dangerous. Improperly designed
parts or accessories could seriously affect your vehicle’s performance or safety system.
This could cause you to have an accident or increase your chances of injuries in an
accident. Always consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer before you install non-genuine
parts or accessories.
Add-On Electrical and Electronic Equipment:
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 inactivation, or a fire in the vehicle.
Be very careful in choosing and installing add-on electrical equipment, such as
mobile telephones, two-way radios, stereo systems, and car alarm systems.
WARNING
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9-14
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Cell Phones
Cell Phones Warning
Use of Cell Phones and Other Devices by Driver:
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.
Please comply to the legal regulations concerning the use of communication
equipment in vehicles in your country.
WARNING
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9-16
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.

Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.

Te m p e r a t u r e - 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 controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate 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.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
WARNING
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9-17
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires over 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 vehicle 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

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
WARNING
UTQGS MARK (example)
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
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9-18
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
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
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
Customer Assistance 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 9-8) in this booklet.
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