tires MAZDA MODEL B-SERIES 2003 (in English) User Guide

5. The California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty nor limit recall liability prior to completion of the vehicle's
useful life.
Maintenance ItemMaintenance Interval (Number of months or Miles (km),
whichever comes first)
Months 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96
x 1000 Miles 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120
(x 1000 km) (104) (112) (121) (128) (136) (144) (152) (160) (168)(176)(184) (192)
ENGINE
Engine oil Ðevery 6 months RRRRRRRRRRRR
Oil filterÐevery 6 months RRRRRRRRRRRR
PCV valve R
AIR CLEANER
Air cleaner filter R R
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs *4 R
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine Coolant (green) Replace at first 45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 36
months, after that, every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or
24 months
Engine Coolant (yellow) Replace at first 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 60
months, after that, every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or
36 months
Coolant condition and
protection, hoses and clamps Ð
annually Ðprior to cold weather
every 12 monthsIIII
CHASSIS AND BODY
Wheel lug nut
torque*1I IIIIIIIIIII
Inspect tires for wear and rotate
(X = recommended interval for
optimal tire life)XXIXXIXXIXXI
Clutch reservoir fluid level IIIIII
Front wheel bearings (4x2) L
Disc brake systemIIII
Caliper slide railsLLLL
Maintenance and Specifications
185

While operating your vehicle
²Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell or exhaust
fumes in the vehicle.
²Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased
steering effort or looseness in the steering wheel, or change in this
straight ahead position.
²Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or ªpullsº to one side
when traveling on a smooth, level road.
²When stopping, listen and check for strange sounds, pulling to one
side, increased brake pedal travel or ªhard to pushº brake pedal.
²If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transmission occur,
check the transmission fluid level.
²Check automatic transmission Park function.
²Check parking brake.
At least monthly
²Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
²Check tires for wear and proper air pressure.
²Check engine oil level.
²Check coolant level in the coolant reservoir.
²Check washer fluid level.
At least twice a year (for example, every spring and fall)
²Check power steering fluid level.
²Check clutch fluid level (if equipped).
²Check and clean body and door drain holes.
²Check and lubricate all hinges, latches, and outside locks.
²Check and lubricate door rubber weather strips.
²Check parking brake for proper operation.
²Check lap/shoulder belts and seat latches for wear and function.
²Check air pressure in spare tire.
²Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper
blades with clean cloth dampened with washer fluid.
²Check safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, air bag, safety belt) for
operation.
Maintenance and Specifications
189

²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and Specifications
217

Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer toLubricant
Specificationsin this chapter.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal
joints equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Mazda to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Maintenance and Specifications
227

Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
NOTE:The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
WARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label or the Tire Label.
WARNING: Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
228

Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the service maintenance section. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheels, if your vehicle is equipped with dual rear wheels it is
recommended that only the front wheels be rotated (side to side).
²Four tire rotation
²Five tire rotation
Maintenance and Specifications
229

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
WARNING: When replacing full size tires, never mix radial
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are
listed on the Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are
the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only
the tire combinations recommended on the label. If you do not
follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be affected
which can lead to loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or
personal injury.
WARNING: Make sure that all replacement tires are of the
same size, type, load=carrying capacity and tread (e.g., ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Mazda. Failure to do so
can result in tire failure and a serious accident.
WARNING: Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº
tires or larger size tires.
WARNING: Failure to follow these precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
Maintenance and Specifications
230

SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
WARNING: Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds
for extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
NOTE:Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
²Use only SAE Class S chains.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent vehicle damage.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
Maintenance and Specifications
231

S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........69±73
Safety defects, reporting ..........175
Safety restraints ....................69±73
belt minder ...............................77
cleaning the safety belts ..........80
extension assembly ..................76
for adults .............................70±72
for children .........................93±94
lap belt ......................................74
warning light and chime ..........76
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................106
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ......................................102
Safety seats for children ............97
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............69
Seats ............................................67
child safety seats ......................97
Servicing your vehicle ..............190
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........152
Spark plugs, specifications .......236
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................235±236
Speed control ..............................53
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......113
Starting your
vehicle ........................110±111, 113
jump starting ..........................158Steering wheel
tilting .........................................48
T
Tether anchors ..........................102
Tires ...........................152, 227±228
changing ..........................152, 155
checking the pressure ............228
replacing ..................................230
rotating ....................................229
snow tires and chains ............231
tire grades ...............................228
treadwear ................................227
Towing .......................................131
recreational towing .................138
trailer towing ..........................131
wrecker ....................................164
Traction-lok rear axle ...............118
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................226
Transmission
automatic operation ...............119
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................223
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................225
fluid, refill capacities ..............232
lubricant specifications ..235±236
manual operation ....................122
Turn signal ..................................40
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................236
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................238
Vehicle loading ..........................129
camper bodies ........................139
Ventilating your vehicle ...........115
Index
244