maintenance MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2015 (in English) Manual Online

6–72
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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 fi nish.
Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its fi nish according to
the instructions in this section. These steps
should be taken immediately after you fi nd
water marks on your vehicle's fi nish.
Paint Chipping
Occurrence
Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown
in the air by another vehicle's tyres 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 fl ying
gravel. NOTE
  The paint chipping zone varies
with the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when travelling at 90 km/h
(56 mph), the paint chipping zone is
50 m (164 ft).
  In low temperatures a vehicle's fi nish
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.
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6–73
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 windscreen above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a
cloth.
 


 If the windscreen is struck with a
hand or other object from either
outside or inside the vehicle.
  Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windscreen when the wiper lever is
in the
position and the ignition
is switched ON as fi ngers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically.
 If you are going to clean the
windscreen, 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 aerial.
Otherwise, you could dent the
vehicle or damage the aerial. To help protect the fi nish 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 fi rst
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 fi nishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint fi nish:




 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.
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6–74
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
CAUTION
  Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodised
aluminium parts. This may damage
the protective coating; also, cleaners
and detergents may discolour or
deteriorate the paint.
 
(With detachable aerial) To prevent damaging the aerial,
remove it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign material from the
underside of the wings, 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 fi nish 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 water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the fi nish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots from
forming.
WARNING
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 sealability of parts,
and allow water to penetrate the interior.
Keep a suffi cient 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 when spraying between
gaps in doors and around windows.
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6–75
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the fi nish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body,
wax the metal trim to maintain its lustre.
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 colours.
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.
Paint Damage Touch-up
Repair damage to the fi nish caused by
stone chipping, damage during parking
etc., by using Mazda touch-up paint before
rust begins to form. First, remove the dirt
and grease with a clean soft cloth.
If rust has already begun to form:
1. Remove rust completely with
sandpaper.
2. Wipe with a clean soft cloth.
3. Apply rust preventive primer to the
area.
4. After drying it completely, apply a
suitable top coat material to the area.
Of course there will be no problem if
you assign the work to an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
Cavity Protection
Cavities are treated for protection at the
factory, but additional protective treatment
after the vehicle has been put into use will
extend the life of the body.
We recommend that you consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer concerning this additional
precaution.
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*Some models.6–76
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Bright-Metal Maintenance














 Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
 


 To prevent corrosion on bright-
metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high lustre.
 


 During cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,
or strong detergents containing highly
alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-
plated or anodised aluminium parts. This
may result in damage to the protective
coating and cause discolouration or
paint deterioration.
Undercoating
This special coating is applied to the
critical parts of the underside to protect
vehicles from damage caused by
chemicals or stones. This coating is liable
to be damaged with time. Check this
coating periodically.
An expert repairer, we recommend an
Authorised Mazda Repairer are well
informed on how repairs should be made.
Consult an expert repairer, we recommend
an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Aluminium Wheel Maintenance *
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminium wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than mild
detergent. Before using any detergent,
verify the ingredients. Otherwise, the
product could discolour or stain the
aluminium wheels.
NOTE
  Do not use a wire brush or any
abrasive cleaner, polishing
compound, or solvent on aluminium
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.
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6–77
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Plastic Part Maintenance
 












 When cleaning the plastic lenses of
the lights, do not use petrol, paraffi n,
rectifi ed spirit, paint, thinner, highly
acidic detergents, or strongly alkaline
detergents. Otherwise, these chemical
agents can discolour or damage the
surfaces resulting in a signifi cant loss
in functionality. If plastic parts become
inadvertently exposed to any of these
chemical agents, fl ush with water
immediately.
 


 If plastic parts such as the bumpers
become inadvertently exposed to
chemical agents or fl uids such as petrol,
oil, engine coolant, or battery fl uid, it
could cause discolouration, staining,
or paint peeling. Wipe off any such
chemical agents or fl uids 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.
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water in the cabin:
Splashing water on electrical parts
such as the audio unit and switches
is dangerous as it could cause a
malfunction or a fi re.
Instrument panel Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
instrument panel. They will damage and
discolour the instrument panel. If these
solutions get on the instrument panel, wipe
them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discolouration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
Instrument panel top (soft pad)
 




 Extremely soft material is used for the
soft pad surface. When cleaning, it is
recommended that you use a clean towel
dampened in a mild detergent to remove
soiling.
 


 If the soft pad surface is rubbed harshly,
it could result in the surface being
damaged leaving white scratch marks.
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*Some models.6–78
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leather
*
Remove dust and sand fi rst using a
vacuum cleaner or other means, then wipe
dirt off using a soft cloth with a leather
cleaner or a soft cloth soaked in mild soap.
Wipe off the remaining cleaner or soap
using a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
Remove moisture with a dry, soft cloth
and allow the leather to further dry in a
well-ventilated, shaded area. If the leather
gets wet such as from rain, also remove
moisture and dry it as soon as possible.
NOTE
  Because genuine leather is a natural
material, its surface is not uniform
and it may have natural scars,
scratches, and wrinkles.
  To maintain the quality for as long
as possible, periodical maintenance,
about twice a year, is recommended.
  Sand and dust on the seat surface
may damage the overcoat of the
genuine leather surfaces and
accelerate wear.
  Greasy soiling on genuine leather
may cause molding and stains.
  Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or
cloth may cause damage.
NOTE
  Do not wipe the leather using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene,
or petrol. Otherwise, it may cause
discolouration or stains.
  If the seats get wet, promptly remove
moisture with a dry cloth. Remaining
moisture on the surface may cause
deterioration such as hardening and
shrinkage.
  Exposure to direct sunlight for long
periods may cause deterioration
and shrinkage. When parking the
car under direct sunlight for long
periods, shade the interior using
sunshades.
  Do not leave vinyl products on
the seats for long periods as they
may affect the leather quality and
colouring. If the cabin temperature
becomes hot, the vinyl may
deteriorate and adhere to the genuine
leather.
Fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
To keep the fabric looking clean and fresh,
take care of it. Otherwise its colour will
be affected, it can be stained easily, and its
fi re-resistance may be reduced.
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6–79
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners
and procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fi re-resistance.
Panel
When the interior panels need to be
cleaned, use soft material such as a soft
cloth soaked in clean water and wrung
out well and lightly wipe off dirt from
the surface. If a panel requires further
cleaning, use the following procedure.
1. Wipe dirt off using a soft cloth soaked
in mild detergent (about 5% solution).
2. Wipe off any remaining detergent
using a cloth soaked in clean water and
wrung out well.
NOTE
  Do not wipe leather parts using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene,
or petrol. Otherwise, it may cause
discolouration or stains.
  Scratches or nicks on the panels and
metallic trim resulting from the use
of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
  Be particularly careful when cleaning
high lustre panels and metallic trim
as they can be easily scratched.
Maintenance of the Active Driving
Display
The combiner and mirror surface have a
special coating. When cleaning, do not use
a hard or rough-surface cloth, or cleaning
detergent. In addition, if a chemical
solvent gets on the active driving display,
wipe it off immediately. Otherwise, the
combiner and mirror could be damaged
and the surface coating could be scratched.
Use a fi ne, soft cloth such as those used
for cleaning eyeglasses.
Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Do not bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is no
remaining moisture before retracting them.
WARNING
Have an expert repairer, we
recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is dangerous.
In a collision, damaged belts cannot
provide adequate protection.
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6–80
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy fi lm, clean them with
glass cleaner. Follow the directions on the
container.
CAUTION
  Do not scrape or scratch the inside of
the window glass. It could damage
the thermal fi laments and the aerial
lines.
  When washing the inside of the
window glass, use a soft cloth
dampened in lukewarm water, gently
wiping the thermal fi laments and the
aerial lines.
 Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the thermal fi laments and the
aerial lines.
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*Some models.7–6
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tyre
4. Insert the cover tabs and install the
cover.
(Saloon)
Tabs
Tabs (Hatchback)
NOTE
Verify that the cover is securely
installed.
Maintenance
 




 Always keep the jack clean.



 Make sure the moving parts are kept
free from dirt or rust.
 


 Make sure the screw thread is
adequately lubricated.
Spare Tyre *
Your Mazda has a temporary spare tyre.
The temporary spare tyre is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tyre, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spare tyres should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Do not install the temporary spare tyre
on the front wheels (driving wheels):
Driving with the temporary spare tyre
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
tyre to the front wheel and install the
temporary spare tyre to the rear.
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