Always check that the bonnet is closed and securely locked:
A bonnet that is not closed and securely locked is dangerous as it could fly open while the vehicle is moving and block the driver's vision which could result in a serious accident.
With the vehicle parked, pull the release handle to unlock the bonnet.
Insert your hand into the bonnet opening, slide the latch lever to the right, and lift up the bonnet.
Grasp the support rod in the padded area and secure it in the support rod hole indicated by the arrow to hold the bonnet open.
Check under the bonnet area to make certain all filler caps are in place and all loose items (e.g. tools, oil containers, etc.) have been removed.
Changing the engine oil should be done by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
After replacing the engine oil, have a repair shop such as an Authorised Mazda Repairer perform the initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value. If the value recorded by the computer is not initialized, the wrench indicator light may not turn off or it may turn on earlier than normal.
The initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value can be performed using the following procedure:
Switch the ignition OFF.
Switch the ignition ON with the selector pressed, and press and hold the selector
for about 5 seconds until the master warning light flashes.
After the master warning light flashes for several seconds, the initialization is completed.
Be sure the vehicle is on a level surface.
Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
Turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to return to the sump.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully.
SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and SKYACTIV-G 2.5
SKYACTIV-D 2.2
(SKYACTIV-D 2.2)
When inspecting the engine oil level, pull out the dipstick straight without twisting. In addition, when inserting the dipstick, always insert it without twisting so that the “X” mark faces the front of the vehicle.
Pull it out again and examine the level.
The level is normal if it is between the MIN and MAX marks.
If it is near or below MIN, add enough oil to bring the level to MAX.
Do not overfill the engine oil. This may cause engine damage.
Make sure the O-ring on the dipstick is positioned properly before reinserting the dipstick.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Do not use a match or live flame in the engine compartment. DO NOT ADD COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
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.
Pull over to a safe location, then switch the ignition off and make sure the fan is
not running before attempting to work near the cooling fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. The fan could continue running indefinitely even if the engine has stopped and the engine compartment temperature is high. You could be hit by the fan and seriously injured.
Do not remove either cooling system cap when the engine and radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause serious injury.
Changing the coolant should be done by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
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 travelling 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.
SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and SKYACTIV-G 2.5
SKYACTIV-D 2.2
If it is at or near L, add enough coolant to the coolant reservoir to provide freezing and corrosion protection and to bring the level to F.
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir tank cap after adding coolant.
Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Use only soft (demineralised) water in the coolant mixture. Water that contains minerals will cut down on the coolant's effectiveness.
Do not add only water. Always add a proper coolant mixture.
The engine has aluminium parts and must be protected by an ethylene-glycol-based coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing.
DO NOT USE coolants Containing Alcohol, methanol, Borate or Silicate.
These coolants could damage the cooling system.
DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol with the coolant. This could damage the cooling system.
Do not use a solution that contains more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
If the “FL22” mark is shown on or near the cooling system cap, use of FL-22 is recommended when replacing engine coolant. Using engine coolant other than FL-22 may cause serious damage to the engine and cooling system.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new coolant is required frequently, consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
All moving points of the body, such as door and bonnet 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 bonnet's secondary latch keeps the bonnet from opening when the primary latch is released.
Hot waxes applied by automatic car washers have been known to affect the wiper's ability to clean windows.
To prevent damage to the wiper blades, do not use petrol, paraffin, paint thinner, or other solvents on or near them.
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON, the wipers may move automatically in the following cases:
If the windscreen above the rain sensor is touched.
If the windscreen above the rain sensor is wiped with a cloth.
If the windscreen is struck with a hand or other object.
If the rain sensor is struck with a hand or other object from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or fingers as it may cause injury, or damage the wipers. When washing or servicing the vehicle, make sure the wiper lever is in the OFF position.
Contamination of either the windscreen 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.
For reasons of proper performance, safety, and better fuel economy, always maintain recommended tyre inflation pressures and stay within the recommended load limits and weight distribution.
Using Different Tyre Types:
Driving your vehicle with different types of tyres is dangerous. It could cause poor handling and poor braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the temporary spare tyre, use only the same type tyres (radial, bias-belted, bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tyres:
Using any other tyre size than what is specified for the vehicle (Search) is dangerous. It could seriously affect ride, handling, ground clearance, tyre clearance, and speedometer calibration. This could cause you to have an accident. Use only tyres that are the correct size specified for the vehicle.
Always inflate the tyres to the correct pressure:
Overinflation or underinflation of tyres is dangerous. Adverse handling or unexpected tyre failure could result in a serious accident.
Refer to Tyres (Search).
Use only a Mazda-genuine tyre valve cap:
Use of a non-genuine part is dangerous as the correct tyre air pressure cannot be maintained if the tyre valve becomes damaged. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the tyre air pressure will decrease which could result in a serious accident. Do not use any part for the tyre valve cap that is not a Mazda-genuine part.
Inspect all tyre pressures monthly (including the spare) when the tyres are cold. Maintain recommended pressures for the best ride, handling, and minimum tyre wear.
Refer to the specification charts (Search).
After adjusting the tyre pressure, initialization of the tyre pressure monitoring system is necessary to make the system operate normally.
Refer to Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Initialization (Search).
Always check tyre pressure when tyres are cold.
Warm tyres normally exceed recommended pressures. Do not release air from warm tyres to adjust the pressure.
Underinflation can cause reduced fuel economy, uneven and accelerated tyre wear, and poor sealing of the tyre bead, which will deform the wheel and cause separation of tyre from rim.
Overinflation can produce a harsh ride, uneven and accelerated tyre wear, and a greater possibility of damage from road hazards.
Keep your tyre pressure at the correct levels. If one frequently needs inflating, have it inspected.
Rotate tyres periodically:
Irregular tyre wear is dangerous. To equalize tread wear for maintaining good performance in handling and braking, rotate the tyres every 10,000 km (6,250 miles), or sooner if irregular wear develops.
During rotation, inspect them for correct balance.
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by one or a combination of the following:
Incorrect tyre pressure
Improper wheel alignment
Out-of-balance wheel
Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tyre pressures to specification (Search) and inspect the wheel nuts for tightness.
After adjusting the tyre pressure, initialization of the tyre pressure monitoring system is necessary to make the system operate normally.
Refer to Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Initialization (Search).
Rotate unidirectional tyres and radial tyres that have an asymmetrical tread pattern or studs only from front to rear, not from side to side. Tyre performance will be reduced if rotated from side to side.
Always use tyres that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tyres is dangerous. Reduced braking, steering, and traction could result in an accident.
Replace all four tyres at the same time:
Replacing just one tyre is dangerous. It could cause poor handling and poor braking resulting in loss of vehicle control. Mazda strongly recommends that you replace all four tyres at the same time.
If a tyre wears evenly, a wear indicator will appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tyre when this happens.
You should replace the tyre before the band crosses the entire tread.
After adjusting the tyre pressure, initialization of the tyre pressure monitoring system is necessary to make the system operate normally.
Refer to Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Initialization (Search).
Inspect the temporary spare tyre at least monthly to make sure it is properly inflated and stored.
The temporary spare tyre condition gradually deteriorates even if it has not been used.
The temporary spare tyre is easier to handle because of its construction which is lighter and smaller than a conventional tyre. This tyre should be used only for an emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary spare tyre only until the conventional tyre is repaired, which should be as soon as possible.
Refer to Tyre (Search).
Do not use your temporary spare tyre rim with a snow tyre or a conventional tyre. Neither will properly fit and could damage both tyre and rim.
The temporary spare tyre has a tread life of less than 5,000 km (3,000 miles). The tread life may be shorter depending on driving conditions.
The temporary spare tyre is for limited use, however, if the tread wear solid-band indicator appears, replace the tyre with the same type of temporary spare (Search).
Always use wheels of the correct size on your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is dangerous. Braking and handling could be affected, leading to loss of control and an accident.
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely affect:
Tyre fit
Wheel and bearing life
Ground clearance
Snow-chain clearance
Speedometer calibration
Headlight aim
Bumper height
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
When replacing a wheel, make sure the new one is the same as the original factory wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset (inset/outset).
For details, contact an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Proper tyre balancing provides the best riding comfort and helps reduce tread wear. Out-of-balance tyres can cause vibration and uneven wear, such as cupping and flat spots.