Driving Your Mazda; Vehicles Only)*; Cold weather starting (Flexible Fuel- Page 147

Driving Your Mazda

5-11

NOTE

Engine noise (from valve tappets)
may occur if the engine has not been
operated for an extended period.
The noise should stop after the
engine has reached normal operating
temperature. If the noise does not
stop, have the vehicle inspected by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Cold weather starting (Flexible Fuel
Vehicles Only)*

As the outside temperature approaches
freezing, ethanol fuel distributors should
supply winter grade (E

d

85) ethanol

(same as with unleaded gasoline). If
summer grade (E

d

85) ethanol is used in

cold weather conditions, you may expe-

rience increased cranking times, rough
idle or hesitation until the engine has
warmed up. Consult your fuel distributor
for the availability of winter grade
(E

d

85) ethanol.

High-quality blends of winter grade
(E

d

85) ethanol will produce satisfactory

cold weather starting and driving results.
However, fuel composition varies, and
sub-optimal winter grade blends could
produce increased cranking times, rough
idle or hesitation at temperatures below
0

_

F (–18

_

C). If you experience this

condition you may find that a different
brand of winter grade (E

d

85) (if avail-

able in your area) improves the perfor-
mance of your vehicle.

Cold starting performance can also be
improved with the use of an engine block
heater. The engine block heater is avail-
able as a Mazda option and can also be
obtained from your Mazda dealer. Con-
sult the engine block heater section for
proper use of the engine block heater.

If you should experience cold weather
starting problems on (E

d

85) ethanol,

and neither an alternative brand of
(E

d

85) ethanol nor an engine block

heater is available, the addition of
unleaded gasoline to your tank will
improve cold starting performance.
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
(E

d

85) ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline

alone, or any mixture of the two.

*Some models.