MAZDA MODEL PROTÉGÉ 2001 Owners Manual (in English)

Appearance
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How to Minimize Envircnmental Paint Danage 7-
Eiterior Ca.e 7-
lnterior Care 7
z
4
7-l

How to Minimize
Environmental Paint Damage
The paintwork on your Mazda represents
the lates! technical developments in
composition and methods of application.
Environmental hazards, however. can
barm the paint protective properties. if
proper care rs nor uKen.
Here are some examples of possible
damage,
ith lips on how to prevent
I Etching Caused by Acid Rstn or
Industrial Fallout
Industrial pollutants and vehicle
emissions drift into the air and mix witt)
rarn or dew to form acids. Thes€ acids
can settle on a vehicle's finish. As the
water evaporates, the acid becomes
concentrated and can damage the finish.
And the longer ihe acid remains on the
surface, lhe greater $e chance is for
damage,
It is necessary io wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according to
the instructions inlhis section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you suspectthat acid rain has settled on
yourvehicle's finish.
I Dsmrge C6us€d by Bird Dropping,
Insects, or Tf€e Sap
Bird droppings contain acids.If these
aren't removed they cao eat away the
clear and colorbase coatofihe vehicle\
When insects stick lo the paint surface
and decompose, corrosive compounds
form. These can erode rhe clear and color
base coat of the vehicle's painlwork if
they are not removed.
Tree sap will harden and adhere
permanently to the paint finish. If you
scratch rhe sap off while it is hard, some
vehicle paintcould come off with it.

Appesrance Care
It is necessaJy to have yourMazda
washed and waxed to preserve its finish
according to the instructions in this
section. This should be done as soon as
Bird droppings canbe removed with a
soft sponge and waier. If you are
traveling and these are not available. a
moistened tissue may also take care of
the problem. The cleaned areashould be
waxed according to the instructions in
Insects ,nd tree sap are best removed
with a soft sponge and water or a
commercially available chemical cleaner
Ano{her method is to cover the affected
area with dampened newspaper for one to
lwo hours. Afterremoving the
newspapet rinse off the loosened debris
I Water Marks
Rain. fog, dew, and even tap waier can
contain harnful minerals such as sali and
lime.lf noisture containing these
minerals se(les on the vehicle and
evaporates, lbe minenls wiil concentrate
and harden to form white rings. The nngs
can darnage yourvehicle's finish.
V Prevention
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preseNe its finish according to
the instructions in ihis section. These
steps should be taken imnediately afrer
you find water marks on your vehicle\
finish.
I Paint Chippins
Paint chipping occurs when gravel is
thrown in ihe airby another vehicle's
tires hits your vehicle.
V How to avoid paint chipping
Keeping a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead reduces the chances oi
having your painl chipped by flying
gravel.

Appearance Car€
NOTE
The paint chipping zone varies
with the speed of the vehicle. For
example, when traveling at 90
km/h (56 mph), fte paintchipping
zone is 50 m (164ft).
In low temperatures a vehicle's
finish hardens. This increases the
chance of paid chipping.
Chipped paint can lead io rust
fbrming on your Mazda. Before
ihis happens, repair lhe damage by
using Mazda touch-up paint
according 10 the instructioN in this
s€ction. Failure to repair the
alTected area could lead to serious
rusting and expensive repairs.
Exterior Care
Follow all label and container dircctiofls
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read aU wamings and cautions.
I Mainhining the Finish
V Washing
To help proGct the finish from rust and
dete omtion, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scmtched. Here are
some examples ofhow scmtching could
Scratches occur on lhe paint surface
. The vehicle is washed withoul first
insing ofi din and other foreign
. The vehicle is washed wirh a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
. The vebicle is washed at a car wash
ihat uses brush€s ihat are diny or too
7-4

. Cleansers or wax containing abrasivesTake your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
Don't use abrasiv€ cleans€rs orwax
that contain abrasives.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material
from dre underside of the wings. and
make surc the drain holes in the lower
edges of the doors and rocker panels are
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
indusidal fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the finish if noi removed
immediately. When prompt washing withptajn warer is inetrective, use a mild soap
made for use on vehicles,
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Don't allow
soap to dry on the finish-
After washing the vehicle, dry il with a
clean chamois 0o prevent water spots
from forming.
To minimize scraiches on the vehicle's
paintfinish:
. Rinse off any dirt or other foreign
malterusing lukewarm or cold water
. Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing th€
Yehicle. Do not lse a nylon cloth.
. Rub gently when washing or drying
$e vehicle.
NOTE
. Mazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by aulomatic car
washes or improper washing.
. Scratches are more noticeable onvehicles with darker painr finishes.
Ac.rurroN
Don't use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or causnc
agents on chrome-plaled or
anodized aluminum paris. This may
damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detrerg€nts may
discolor or deteriorate the paint.
To Fevert damaging the antenna,
retract it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low

V Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry lhe v€hicle before
waxiog it.In addition to dre yehicle body,
wax ihe metal trim to mainrain ils lusier.
1 . Us€ wax whicb contains no abrasives.
waxes containing abrasive will
remove paint and could damage bright
metal parts.
2. Use a good grade of natural wax for
metallic. mica. and solid colors.
3- When waxing. coatevenly with the
sponge supplied ora soft cloth.
4. Wipe off lhe wax wilh a sofl cloih.
NOTE
A spoa remover to remove oil, tar. and
similar materials will usually also take
off the wax, Rewax these areas even if
the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it.
A wanlsnsc
Diyins dth Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brukes is
dang e rc us. I nc rc a s e d s topping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
sLle rhe btukittg coud rcsultin a
serious a.cilent. Light braki g N)iIL
indicate whether the brukes hat e
been alIe.ted. Dry the brakes bt
diving very slovlr and applying the
brakes Eshtlr until brake
peforntnce ir nornat.
7-6

I Repairing Damage to the trinish
Deep scratches or chips on the finish
should b€ repaired prompdy. Exposed
metal quickly rusts and can lead to major
I Bright-Metal Maintenance
. Use tar remover to remove road tar
and insects. Never do this with a knife
or similar tool.
. To preyent corrosion on brighl-m€tal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preseraative and rub it to a high luster.
. During cold weaiher or ir coastal
areas, cover bright metal parts wiih a
coating of wax or preservative heavier
than usual. It would also help to coat
them with noncorrosive petroleumjelly or some other protective
I UnderbodyMaintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents us€d for dust
contol may collect on the underbody. ff
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such unde$ody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system, even though these parts
may be coated with anti-corrosive
material.
Thoroughly flush ihe underbody andwheel housings with tukewam or cold
waier at the end of each winter. Try also
ro do this ev€ry month.
Pay special attention io dtese areas
because they easily hjde mud and dirt.It
will do morc harm than good to w€t
down lhe road g.ime without r€moving
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain boles that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
AclurroN
If your Maz da is damaged and needs
metal parts repaired or replaced, make
sule the body shop applies
anti-corosion materials to ali palls,
both repaired and new. This will
prevent them from rusting.

Appearance Care
I Aluminum Wheel Mainr€nance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminun wheets. Special care is needed
to prot€ct this coating.
A waRlrnrc
Dn inr flith Wet Brukes:
Drhing with wet brukes is
dang e rcus. I nc rc a s e.l s topping
dbtance or the l'ehicle p IIi gtoo e
sde vhen brukins couA result in a
serinus accident. Light bruking wil
indicate whether the b&kes haye
bee allected- Dry the brakes br
diring w.r slowlr and appbing the
btukes ligh r u til bruke
perlomance k notnaL
NOTE
Don't use a wire brush or any
abrasive clear,er. poiishing
compound. or solvent on aluminum
wheeh. They may damage tbe
coanng,
only use a mild soap or neutral
detergent and always use a sponge
or soft cloth to ciean the wheels.
Rinse $oroughly with lukewarm
or cold water. Also, be sure to
clean ihe whe€ls after driving on
dusty or salted roads. This helps
Avoid washing your vehicle in an
automatic car wash that uses
high-speed or hard bnrshes.
If your aluminum whe€ls lose
lustet wax lhe wheels.
7-8

App€arance Care
Interior Care
I Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting thedashboa.rd. They'll damage and discolor
it. If ihese solutions g€1 on rhe dashboard,wipe rhem off immediately.
I Cleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Thim
V Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom ot vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
V Leather
Real leather isnl uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleanerormild soap.
Wipe it with a damp sofr cloth; tben dryand buff it with a dry soft cloth.
V Fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner
Clean it with a mild soap soluaion good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immedialely with a fabric spot
To keep the fabric looking clean andfresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
willbe affected, itcan be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
AclurroN
Use only recommended cleaneN andprocedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
7-9

Appearance Care
I Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt I Cl€sning the Window Interiorc
Webbing
If th€ windows become covered with an
Clean the webbing with a mild soap oily. greasy, or waxy film, clean them
solution recommended for upholstery or with glass cleaner Follow the directions
carp€ts. Follow instructions. Don't bleach on rhe container
or dye the webbingt this may weaken it.
Afler cleaning th€ belts, thoroughty dry
tbe belt webbing and make sure there is
no renaining moisture before retracting
AclurroN
Don,t scrap€ or scnlch the inside of
the rear window. You may damage the
rear window defroster grid.
A waRlsnsc
Dantaoed Seat Belr:
Using danaged seat belts is
dansercus.In a collision, danused
belts cannot prov le adequate
prctettion. Haw lot r Authorized
Mazdo Dealer rcplace danaged belts
7 -t{)