MAZDA MODEL 6 HATCHBACK 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance ............................................................ 8-3
Owner Maintenance ..................................................................... 8-7 Owner Maintenance Schedule .................................................. 8-7
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................... 8-8
Engine Compartment Overview ................................................ 8-9
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-10
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-13
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-16
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-17
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-18
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-20
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-21
Air Filter .................................................................................. 8-21
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-23
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-28
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-29
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-33
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-42
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-47 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-47
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-49
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-52
8-1

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.
8-2
Maintenance and Care
Introduction

Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
lRepeated short-distance driving
lDriving in dusty conditions
lDriving with extended use of brakes
lDriving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
lDriving on rough or muddy roads
lExtended periods of idling or low-speed operation
lDriving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-3

qSchedule 1
Maintenance Interval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
×1000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
×1000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) 2.3-liter engine I
3.0-liter engine I I
Engine valve clearance (2.3-liter engine) Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy,
adjust
Engine oil R R R R R R R R
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R R
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000 km (105,000 miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Disc brakes I I I I
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Steering operation and linkages I I
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if installed)
Cabin air filter Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
Remarks
*1: According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance

qSchedule 2
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
ENGINE
Drive belts (tension) 2.3-liter engine I
3.0-liter engine I I
Engine valve clearance (2.3-liter engine) Audible inspect every 120,000 km (75,000 miles), if noisy, adjust
Engine oil Puerto Rico Replace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
Others R R R R R R R
RRRRR
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R RRRRR
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolant Replace at first 168,000 km (105,000 miles) or 60 months ;
after that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level I I I I I I I IIIII
FUEL SYSTEM
Air filter Puerto Rico R R
Others R
Fuel lines and hoses
*1II
Hoses and tubes for emission*1I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs USA Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Others
*2Replace every 120,000 km (75,000 miles)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I I I I I IIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake and clutch fluid level I I I I I I I IIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear I I I I I I I IIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level I I I I I I I IIIII
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L LLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I I IIIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-5

Maintenance IntervalNumber 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
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if installed)
Cabin air filter Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
L: Lubricate
Remarks
*1: According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2: If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark plugs every 96,000 km
(60,000 miles) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance

Owner Maintenance Schedule
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.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-16)
lEngine coolant level (page 8-13)
lEngine oil level (page 8-11)
lWasher fluid level (page 8-20)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-30)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-18)
lPower steering fluid level (page 8-17)
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.
lAir filter (page 8-21)
lEngine coolant (page 8-13)
lEngine oil (page 8-11)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-7

Owner Maintenance Precautions
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.
WARNING
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.
8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance

Engine Compartment Overview
Power steering
fluid reservoirWindshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block
Air filter
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Engine coolant
reservoir
Engine coolant
reservoir Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle) Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)
2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine Battery
Engine oil dipstick
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir Power steering
fluid reservoir
Cooling system cap Engine oil-filler cap
Brake/Clutch fluid reservoir
Air filter Fuse blockBattery
Engine oil-filler cap
Engine oil dipstick Cooling system cap
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-9

Engine Oil
qRecommended Oil
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Oil container labels provide important
information.
A chief contribution this type of oil makes
to fuel economy is reducing the amount of
fuel necessary to overcome engine
friction.
U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline
Engines ”by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark
symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards
and fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC),
comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
5W-20
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
–20
50
40
30
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
Except U.S.A. and CANADA
(ILSAC)
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance