Overheating; If Trouble Arises; Pull over to a safe location, then - Page 435

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If Trouble Arises

Overheating

Overheating

If the high engine coolant temperature 

warning light illuminates, the vehicle loses 

power, or you hear a loud knocking or 

pinging noise, the engine is probably too 

hot.

WARNING

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.

Open the hood ONLY after steam is no 

longer escaping from the engine:

Steam from an overheated engine is 

dangerous. The escaping steam could 

seriously burn you.

If the high engine coolant temperature 

warning light illuminates:

1.  Drive safely to the side of the road and 

park off the right-of-way.

2.  Put a vehicle with an automatic 

transmission in park (P), a manual 

transmission in neutral.

3.  Apply the parking brake.

4.  Turn off the air conditioner.

5.  Check whether coolant or steam is 

escaping from the engine compartment.

If steam is coming from the engine 

compartment:

  Do not go near the front of the vehicle. 

Stop the engine.

  Wait until the steam dissipates, then 

open the hood and start the engine.

If neither coolant nor steam is 

escaping:

  Open the hood and idle the engine until 

it cools.

CAUTION

If the cooling fan does not operate 

while the engine is running, the engine 

temperature will increase. Stop the 

engine and call an Authorized Mazda 

Dealer.

6.  Make sure the cooling fan is operating, 

then turn off the engine after the 

temperature has decreased.

7.  When cool, check the coolant level.

  If it is low, look for coolant leaks from 

the radiator and hoses.

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