cooling MAZDA MODEL RX 8 2004 (in English) User Guide

8-7
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
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 procedure 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.
Owner Maintenance Precautions
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:
Working near the electrical cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. You could be
hit by the fan and seriously injured. Turn off the ignition switch and make sure the
fan is not running before attempting to work near the electrical cooling fan.
NOTE
Once the engine coolant exceeds a preset temperature, an electrical cooling fan turns on.
It will continue running for about 10 minutes after the ignition switch is turned to off.
WARNING
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8-8
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transmission fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transmission)
Windshield washer
fluid reservoir
Fuse block
(next to air filter)
BatteryBrake/Clutch fluid
reservoir Engine oil dipstick Engine oil-filler cap
Air filter Engine coolant reservoir Cooling system cap
Fuse block
(near battery)
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8-12
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Inspecting Coolant Level
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year—at the beginning of the
winter season—and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F and L marks
on the coolant reservoir when the engine
is cool.
If it’s at or near L, add enough coolant to
the coolant reservoir to provide freezing
and corrosion protection and to bring the
level to F.
Do not overfill.

If new coolant is required frequently,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.Engine Coolant
Hot Engine:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become very
hot. You could be burned. Carefully
inspect the engine coolant in the
coolant reservoir, but do not open it.
Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT
ADD COOLANT WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT.
WARNING
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.
CAUTION
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8-13
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Changing Coolant
Change coolant according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
For mixture percentage:To change coolant
1. Remove the cooling system cap.
2. Only when the engine is cool, loosen
the radiator drain plug and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
Properly dispose of the used coolant. •Use only soft (demineralized) water
in the coolant mixture. Water that
contains minerals will cut down on
the coolant’s effectiveness.
•Don’t add only water. Always add a
proper coolant mixture.
•The engine has aluminum parts and
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent
corrosion and freezing.
•DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol
or methanol with the coolant. This
could damage the cooling system.
•Don’t use a solution that contains
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
ProtectionVo l u m e
Antifreeze
solutionWa t e r
Above -16°
C (3°
F) 35% 65%
Above -26°
C (-15°
F) 45% 55%
Above -40°
C (-40°
F) 55% 45%
CAUTIONRemoving the Cooling System Cap:
Removing the cooling system cap or
drain plug while the engine is
running or hot is dangerous. This
might lead to cooling system and
engine damage and could result in
serious injury from escaping hot
coolant or steam. Turn off the engine
and wait until it’s cool. Even then, be
very careful when removing the cap
or drain plug. Wrap a thick cloth
around it and slowly turn it
counterclockwise to the first stop.
Step back while the pressure escapes.
When you’re sure all the pressure is
gone, press down on the cap — still
using a cloth — turn the cap, and
remove it.
WARNING
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8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
3. With the drain plug loose but not fully
removed, flush out the system with
running water.
4. Drain the system completely and
retighten the plug. Add as much
ethylene-glycol-based coolant and
water as necessary to provide freezing
and corrosion protection.
5. In extremely cold climates, add the
amount recommended in the coolant
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Reinstall the cooling system cap.
7. Run the engine at idle for about
10 minutes, then turn it off. If the
coolant level warning light comes on
during this time, turn the engine off.
After turning off the engine, inspect
the drain plug and the water hoses for
leaks.
8. After the engine has cooled, remove
the cooling system cap and inspect the
coolant level. If it’s low, repeat steps 5
to 7.

Inspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid
Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Because this procedure requires
technical expertise, we recommend
that it be done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Tighten Loosen Loosen
Tighten
Cooling system cap
Drain plug
Brake/Clutch Fluid
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