catalytic converter MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2008 Owner's Manual (in English)

Black plate (106,1)
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
2.3-liter turbocharger engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
This vehicle is designed for and requires use of premium unleaded fuel. If 91 octane fuel [
(R+M)/2 method] (96RON) is not available, gasoline as low as 87 octane [ (R+M)/2
method] (91RON) can be used temporarily for emergency purposes. Use of gasoline lower
than 91 octane [ (R+M)/2 method] (96RON) can decrease performance during its use.
Refueling the vehicle with the correct octane fuel a couple of times will restore vehicle
performance.
Except 2.3-liter turbocharger engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead
to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.
ØYour vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol
by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of
any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
ØNever add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those
specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name“Gasohol”.
4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8X41-EA-07F_Edition2 Page106
Monday, June 18 2007 1:28 PM
Form No.8X41-EA-07F

Black plate (108,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will
damage the converter and cause poor performance.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
ØDon't drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
ØDon't coast with the ignition switch turned off.
ØDon't descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
ØDon't operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.
ØDon't tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
ØDon't push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard at the rear of the right
side of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking
device and it operates while the engine is off.
4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8X41-EA-07F_Edition2 Page108
Monday, June 18 2007 1:28 PM
Form No.8X41-EA-07F

Black plate (388,1)
A
Accessory Socket .............................. 6-64
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-16
Air Bag Systems ............................... 2-40
Ambient Temperature Display .......... 6-54
Antenna ............................................. 6-15
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ......... 5-7
Warning light ............................... 5-8
Appearance Care ............................... 8-58
Ashtray .............................................. 6-58
Audio System ................................... 6-15
Audio control switch .................. 6-44
Audio set .................................... 6-27
Auxiliary Input ........................... 6-46
Operating tips for audio
system ........................................ 6-16
Safety certification ..................... 6-49
Automatic Transaxle
Driving tips ................................ 5-18
Fluid ........................................... 8-25
Manual shift mode ..................... 5-14
Shift-lock override ..................... 5-14
Shift-lock system ....................... 5-14
Transaxle ranges ........................ 5-13
B
Battery
Emergency starting .................... 7-16
Maintenance ............................... 8-32
Specifications ............................. 10-4
Beep Sounds
Ignition key reminder ................. 5-49
Lights-on reminder ..................... 5-49
Tire inflation pressure warning
beep ............................................ 5-49
Beeps
Seat belt warning beep Sounds ... 5-49
B
Before Starting the Engine .................. 4-6
After getting in ............................. 4-6
Before getting in .......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication .............................. 8-28
Bottle Holder ..................................... 6-60
Brake/Clutch
Fluid ........................................... 8-23
Brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..... 5-7
Brakes assist ................................. 5-9
Foot brake .................................... 5-5
Parking brake ............................... 5-6
Warning light ............................... 5-7
Break-In Period ................................... 4-7
Bulb Replacement ............................. 8-39
C
Capacities .......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................... 4-5
Cargo Securing Loops ...................... 6-61
Cargo Sub-Compartment .................. 6-61
Catalytic Converter ............................. 4-4
Cell Phones ....................................... 9-17
Center Console .................................. 6-61
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-25
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-29
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-35
Child Safety Locks for Rear Doors ... 3-10
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 6-58
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-6
Clock ................................................. 6-54
Cruise Control ................................... 5-19
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-59
11-2
Index
Mazda3_8X41-EA-07F_Edition2 Page388
Monday, June 18 2007 1:31 PM
Form No.8X41-EA-07F