brake fluid MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual

4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Is the seat adjusted properly?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone’
s seat belt fastened?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.•
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
perform the following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don
’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
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. Don ’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don ’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
Winter Driving
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5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-18).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again. If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-35).Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is fully released,
have the brakes inspected
immediately. Don
’t drive with this
light on, and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING
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5-33
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-18).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again. If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-35).Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is fully released,
have the brakes inspected
immediately. Don
’t drive with this
light on, and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING
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8-1
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction ................................................................................... 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (North America) ................................. 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Except North America) ..................... 8-7
Owner Maintenance .................................................................... 8-10
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................. 8-10
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-11
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-12
Engine Oil ................................................................................ 8-13
Engine Coolant ........................................................................ 8-15
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-18
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-20
Washer Fluid ............................................................................ 8-21
Body Lubrication ..................................................................... 8-22
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-23
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-24
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-28
Tires ......................................................................................... 8-31
Light Bulbs .............................................................................. 8-36
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-46
Appearance Care ......................................................................... 8-51
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage ..................... 8-51
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-53
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-57
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8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
I: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R : Replace
L : Lubricate
CHASSIS and BODY
Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first)Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
× 1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
× 1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000km (5,000miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension and ball
joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000km (45,000miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
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8-8
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
I: Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R : Replace
C : Clean
*1:Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2: If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*3:If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*4:If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle
is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
Maintenance
Interval
(Number of months or
kilometers
(miles), whichever comes first)Months 6 121824303642485460667278849096
× 1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
×1000 miles6.25 12.518.752531.2537.543.755056.2562.568.757581.2587.593.75100
Engine valve clearance Audible inspect every 120,000km (75,000miles), if noisy, adjust
Drive belts
*1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Engine oil*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter*2RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system IIIIIIII
Engine coolant Replace every 2 years
Air filter
*3CCRCCRCC
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000km (75,000miles)
Fuel filter RRRR
Fuel lines and hoses IIIIIIII
Evaporative system
(if installed) IIIIIIII
Battery electrolyte level and
specific gravity IIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and
connections IIIIIIII
Brake fluid
*4IIIRIIIRIIIRIIIR
Parking brake IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Power brake unit
(Brake booster) and hoses IIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
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8-10
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Owner Maintenance
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.

When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level (page 8-18)
• Engine coolant level (page 8-15)
• Engine oil level (page 8-13)
• Washer fluid level (page 8-21)


At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures (page 8-31)


At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-20)
• Power steering fluid level (page 8-19)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
• Air filter (page 8-23)
• Engine coolant (page 8-15)
• Engine oil (page 8-14)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
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8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Engine Compartment Overview
Engine oil
dipstick
Fuse block
Air filter
Battery
Brake/Clutch fluid
reservoir
Engine oil-filler cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Power steering
fluid reservoir
Main fuse
Automatic transaxle fluid-level
dipstick (only for automatic transaxle)
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8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Adding Brake/Clutch Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake/Clutch Fluid Levels:
Low brake/clutch fluid levels are
dangerous. Low levels could signal
brake lining wear or a brake system
leak. Your brakes could fail and cause
an accident. If you find a low fluid
level, have the brakes and clutch
inspected.
WARNING
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