MAZDA MODEL 6 SPORT SEDAN 2005 Owners Manual

Black plate (271,1)
Body Lubrication
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 hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Air Filter
CAUTION
Don't drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
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.
q Replacing the Air Filter
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
1. Unfasten the clamps.
2.3-liter engine
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page271
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (272,1)
3.0-liter engine
2. Tilt or lift the air filter cover andremove the filter.
2.3-liter engine
Air filter cover Air filter
3.0-liter engine Air filter cover
Air filter
3. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a damp cloth.
4. Clean or replace the filter.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal. Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page272
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (273,1)
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
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.
q Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't move the
wipers by hand.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
blades when raising both the driver and
passenger side wiper arms, raise the
driver side wiper arm first. Conversely,
when setting down the wiper arms, set
the passenger side wiper arm down
first.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-23
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page273
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (274,1)
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pulluntil the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf 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.
lBe 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.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber. Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page274
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (275,1)
qReplacing Rear Window Wiper
Blade (5-Door/Sport Wagon)
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
and other components, don't move the
wiper by hand.
(5-Door)
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the rear window,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it. 2. Hold the end of the blade rubber and
pull until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
Metal support
Ta b
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
CAUTION
Don't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-25
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page275
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (276,1)
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
(Sport Wagon)
1. Raise the wiper arm and rotate the
wiper blade to the right until it unlocks,
then remove the blade.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the rear window,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it. 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.
CAUTION
Don't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page276
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (277,1)
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-27
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page277
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (278,1)
Battery
WARNING
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.
Eye Protection:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into 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.
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.
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page278
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (279,1)
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
lKeep it securely mounted.
lKeep the top clean and dry.
lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-7)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page279
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G

Black plate (280,1)
qTire Inflation Pressure
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of tires
is dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in
a serious accident. Always inflate the
tires to the correct pressure (page
10-7).
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (page
10-7).
NOTE
lAlways check tire pressure when
tires are cold.
lWarm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don't
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
lUnderinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy and poor sealing of the
tire bead, which will deform the
wheel and cause separation of tire
from rim.
lOverinflation can produce a harsh
ride and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequently needs
inflating, have it inspected.
q Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)/8,000
km
*(5,000 miles) or sooner if irregular
wear develops. During rotation, inspect
them for correct balance.
* Unique driving conditions for U.S.A., Canada and Puerto Rico
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8T55-EA-04G_Edition2 Page280
Monday, November 15 2004 1:53 PM
Form No.8T55-EA-04G