Owner Maintenance; Inspecting Coolant Level; Changing Coolant- Page 189

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Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G

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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.

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Changing Coolant

Change coolant according to Scheduled 
Maintenance (page 8-3).

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. Don’t 
inspect the coolant system or add 
coolant when the engine is hot.

WARNING

2.0-liter engine

2.5-liter engine

Radiator coolant will damage paint.
Rinse it off quickly.

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Use only soft (demineralized) water 
in the coolant mixture. Water that 
contains minerals will cut down on 
the coolant’s effectiveness.

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Don’t add only water. Always add a 
proper coolant mixture.

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The engine has aluminum parts and 
must be protected by an ethylene-
glycol-based coolant to prevent 
corrosion and freezing.

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DO NOT USE alcohol or methanol 
antifreeze. DO NOT MIX alcohol 
or methanol with the coolant. This 
could damage the cooling system.

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Don’t use a solution that contains 
more than 60 % antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.

CAUTION

CAUTION

J94S.book  Page 13  Saturday, June 23, 2001  1:04 PM