Owner Maintenance; Maintenance and Care- Page 423

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Maintenance and Care

Owner Maintenance

  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.

Cooling system cap

Coolant reservoir

Cooling fan

  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.

CAUTION

¾

  Radiator coolant will damage paint.

  Rinse it off  quickly if spilled.

¾

  Use only soft (demineralized) water in 

the coolant mixture. Water that contains 
minerals will cut down on the coolant's 
eff ectiveness.

¾

  Do not add only water. Always add a 

proper coolant mixture.

¾

  The engine has aluminum parts and 

must be protected by an ethylene-glycol-
based coolant to prevent corrosion and 
freezing.

¾

  DO NOT USE coolants Containing 

Alcohol, methanol, Borate or Silicate.

  These coolants could damage the 

cooling system.

¾

  DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol with 

the coolant. This could damage the 
cooling system.

¾

  Do not use a solution that contains more 

than 60% antifreeze.

  This would reduce eff ectiveness.

¾

  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 
Authorized Mazda Dealer.