MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2004 Owner's Manual (in English)

8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn’t pass full.

Inspecting Washer Fluid Level•Use the cold scale only as a
reference.
•If outside temperature is lower than
about 20
°C (70
°F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
•If the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect
the level only after stopping the
engine and allowing the fluid to
cool for 30 minutes.
NOTE
Inspect the fluid on both sides of the
dipstick in a well lit area for an
accurate reading.
CAUTIONWasher Fluid
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident. Use only
windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir.
Using Washer Fluid Without Anti-
freeze Protection in Cold Weather:
Operating your vehicle in
temperatures below 4 degrees C (40
degrees F) using washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection is dangerous as
it could cause impaired windshield
vision and result in an accident. In
cold weather, always use washer fluid
with anti-freeze protection.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), which are commonly used as
anti-freeze agents in washer fluid. A
washer fluid with limited VOC content
should be used only if it provides
adequate freeze resistance for all
regions and climates in which the
vehicle will be operated.
WARNING
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8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
To inspect the washer fluid level in the
front reservoir, pull off the cap. Then,
holding your thumb over the hole in the
center of the cap, lift it straight up. The
fluid level can be seen from the fluid
column in the pipe. Add fluid if necessary.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable. But use only washer fluid in
cold weather to prevent it from freezing.All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood’s secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.
NOTE
Front and rear washer fluid is supplied
from the same reservoir.
Body Lubrication
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8-23
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.

Replacing the Air Filter
1. Make sure the ignition switch is turned
off.
2. Remove the battery cover and battery
duct.3. Unfasten the clamps.
4. Lift off the air filter cover and remove
the filter.
5. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
6. Clean or replace the filter.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to the
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).
Air Filter
Don’t drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than the recommended intervals.
Use a Mazda genuine air filter. Use of
other filters could damage the airflow
sensor.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Battery duct
Battery cover
Clamp
Air filter cover
Air filter
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8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.

Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Slide the assembly downward; then lift
it off the arm.
Wiper Blades
•Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the cleanability of windows.
•To prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don’t use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
•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
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don’t move the
wipers by hand.
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don’t let the wiper arm fall on it.
CAUTION
Push
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
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8-25
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
2. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of blade holder.
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
Pull out
Stiffener
•Don’t bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
•If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade’s wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don’t use the driver’s side metal
stiffeners on the passenger’s side, or
vice versa.
•Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was
in the old blade rubber.
CAUTION
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8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Replacing Rear Window Wiper
Blade (5 Door)
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
1. Raise the wiper arm and rotate the
wiper blade to the right until it unlocks,
then remove the blade.2. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of the blade holder.
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades. To prevent damage to the wiper arm
and other components, don’t move the
wiper by hand.
To prevent damage to the rear window,
don’t let the wiper arm fall on it.
CAUTION
CAUTION
Don’t bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
Pull out
Stiffener
CAUTION
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8-27
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
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8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Battery
Battery-Related Lead Materials:
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Follow These Precautions Carefully:
To ensure safe and correct handling of the battery, read the following precautions
carefully before using the battery or inspecting it.
Eye Protection:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into in your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas
produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to
explode. Always wear eye protection when working near the battery.
Spilled Battery Fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets
in eyes, skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately flush your eyes with water for
15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention. Wear eye
protection and protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fluid.
Children and Batteries:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid could cause
serious injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin. Always keep batteries out of the
reach of children.
WARNING
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8-29
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Keep Flames Away:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells. When working near a battery, do
not allow metal tools to contact the positive ( ) or negative ( ) terminal of the
battery. Do not allow the positive ( ) terminal to contact the vehicle body.
Battery-Related Explosion:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells.
WARNING
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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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