2004-2009 Mazda 3 4 Door Before Driving Your Mazda User Manual
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Before Driving Your Mazda for Your Mazda 3 4 Door First Generation (2004-2009)

Before Driving Your Mazda  
4
Important information about driving your Mazda.  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2  
Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2  
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3  
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5  
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-6  
Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-6  
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6  
Driving Tips................................................................................... 4-7  
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7  
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-7  
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-8  
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8  
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9  
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11  
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11  
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-12  
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-12  
4-1  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Fuel Requirements  
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,  
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.  
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.  
Fuel  
Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)  
Regular unleaded fuel  
87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)  
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.  
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system  
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.  
CAUTION  
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USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.  
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor. The lead will  
accumulate on the oxygen sensor and the catalyst inside the converter. This will result  
in a malfunction of the emission control system, causing poor performance.  
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Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol by  
volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this  
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any  
kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.  
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Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those specified  
by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system. Consult an  
Authorized Mazda Dealer.  
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally  
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your  
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as  
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name “Gasohol”.  
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not  
be covered by the Mazda warranty.  
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Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.  
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Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.  
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Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.  
4-2  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Emission Control System  
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of  
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions  
requirements.  
WARNING  
Parking Over Flammable Objects:  
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with  
the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust system  
gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.  
Never park over or near anything flammable.  
CAUTION  
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside  
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the  
converter and cause poor performance.  
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USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.  
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Don't drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.  
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Don't coast with the ignition switch turned off.  
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Don't descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.  
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Don't operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.  
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Don't tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must  
be made by a qualified technician.  
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Don't push-start or pull-start your vehicle.  
NOTE  
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control  
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some  
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.  
4-3  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
NOTE  
After driving some distance and turning off the engine, the sound of a valve opening and  
closing can be heard at the rear of the right side of the vehicle, however this does not  
indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking device and it operates after  
turning off the engine.  
4-4  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions  
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)  
WARNING  
Carbon Monoxide:  
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is  
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness  
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open  
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.  
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:  
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust  
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of  
consciousness or even death could occur. Don't run the engine when inside an  
enclosed area.  
Idling with the Windows Closed:  
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and  
the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains  
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even  
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw  
fresh air.  
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:  
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust  
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because  
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be  
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle,  
particularly the tail pipe, before starting the engine.  
4-5  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Before Starting the Engine  
Before Getting In  
After Getting In  
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Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,  
and outside lights are clean.  
Are all doors closed and locked?  
Is the seat adjusted properly?  
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Inspect inflation pressures and  
condition of tires.  
Are the inside and outside mirrors  
adjusted?  
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Look under the vehicle for any sign of  
a leak.  
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Is everyone's seat belt fastened?  
Check all gauges.  
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If you plan to back up, make sure  
nothing is in your way.  
Check all warning lights when the  
ignition switch is turned to the ON  
position.  
NOTE  
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Release the parking brake and make  
sure the brake warning light goes off.  
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch  
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid  
levels should be inspected. See  
Maintenance, Section 8.  
Always be thoroughly familiar with your  
Mazda.  
4-6  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Break-In Period  
Money-Saving Suggestions  
No special break-in is necessary, but a few  
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600  
miles) may add to the performance,  
economy, and life of your Mazda.  
How you operate your Mazda determines  
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use  
these suggestions to help save money on  
fuel and repairs.  
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Don't race the engine.  
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine  
runs smoothly, begin driving.  
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Don't maintain one constant speed,  
either slow or fast, for a long period of  
time.  
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Avoid fast starts.  
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Keep the engine tuned. Follow the  
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Don't drive constantly at full-throttle or  
high engine rpm for extended periods  
of time.  
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and  
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer  
perform inspections and servicing.  
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Avoid unnecessary hard stops.  
Use the air conditioner only when  
necessary.  
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Avoid full-throttle starts.  
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Slow down on rough roads.  
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Keep the tires properly inflated.  
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Don't carry unnecessary weight.  
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Don't rest your foot on the brake pedal  
while driving.  
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Keep the wheels in correct alignment.  
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Keep windows closed at high speeds.  
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Slow down when driving in crosswinds  
and headwinds.  
WARNING  
Coasting:  
Stopping the engine when going down  
a hill is dangerous. This causes the  
loss of power steering and power  
brake control, and may cause damage  
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering  
or braking control could cause an  
accident. Never stop the engine when  
going down a hill.  
4-7  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Hazardous Driving  
Rocking the Vehicle  
WARNING  
WARNING  
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:  
Downshifting into lower gear while  
driving on slippery surfaces is  
dangerous. The sudden change in tire  
speed could cause the tires to skid.  
This could lead to loss of vehicle  
control and an accident. If it is  
necessary to downshift on slippery  
surfaces, be very careful.  
Spinning the Wheels:  
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning  
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.  
The spinning tire could overheat and  
explode. This could cause serious  
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more  
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't  
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel  
when pushing the vehicle.  
When driving on ice or in water, snow,  
mud, sand, or similar hazard:  
CAUTION  
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Be cautious and allow extra distance  
for braking.  
Too much rocking may cause engine  
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire  
damage.  
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Avoid sudden braking and quick  
steering.  
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from  
snow, sand or mud, depress the  
accelerator slightly and slowly move the  
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.  
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If your vehicle is not equipped with  
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a  
light up-down motion. Don't hold the  
pedal down constantly.  
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,  
don't pump the brakes. Continue to  
press down on the brake pedal.  
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If you get stuck, select a lower gear and  
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the front  
wheels.  
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For more traction in starting on  
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed  
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,  
carpeting, or other nonslip material  
under the front wheels.  
NOTE  
Use snow chains only on the front  
wheels.  
4-8  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Except Brazil  
Winter Driving  
Your vehicle is originally equipped with  
all season radials designed to be used all  
year around. In some extreme climates  
you may find it necessary to replace them  
with snow tires during the winter months  
to further improve traction on snow and  
ice covered roads.  
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Carry emergency gear, including tire  
chains, window scraper, flares, a small  
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag  
of sand or salt.  
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to  
perform the following precautions:  
Brazil  
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Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in  
the radiator.  
Your vehicle is originally equipped with  
summer tires designed for optimum  
traction on wet and dry roads. If your  
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice  
covered roads, Mazda recommends that  
you replace the tires originally equipped  
on your vehicle with snow tires during the  
winter months.  
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Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold  
reduces battery capacity.  
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Inspect the ignition system for damage  
and loose connections.  
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Use washer fluid made with  
antifreeze―but don't use engine  
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid  
(page 8-23).  
WARNING  
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Don't use the parking brake in freezing  
weather as the parking brake may  
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an  
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with  
a manual transaxle. Block the rear  
wheels.  
Mixing Tire Types:  
Using tires different in size or type is  
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling  
could be greatly affected and result in  
an accident. Use only the same size  
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-  
radial) on all four wheels.  
qSnow Tires  
Use snow tires on all four wheels  
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)  
while driving with snow tires. Inflate  
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi)  
more than recommended on the tire  
pressure label (driver's door), but never  
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure  
shown on the tires.  
CAUTION  
Check local regulations before using  
studded tires.  
NOTE  
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire  
pressure monitoring system, the system  
may not function correctly when using  
tires with steel wire reinforcement in  
the sidewalls (page 5-24).  
4-9  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Installing the chains  
qTire Chains  
1. Secure the chains on the front tires as  
tightly as possible. Always follow the  
chain manufacturer's instructions.  
Check local regulations before using tire  
chains.  
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2  
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).  
CAUTION  
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Chains may scratch or chip  
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains  
on steel wheels only.  
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Chains may affect handling.  
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Don't go faster than 50 km/h (30  
mph) or the chain manufacturer's  
recommended limit, whichever is  
lower.  
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Drive carefully and avoid bumps,  
holes, and sharp turns.  
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Avoid locked-wheel braking.  
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Don't use chains on a temporary  
spare tire; it may result in damage to  
the vehicle and to the tire.  
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Don't use chains on roads that are  
free of snow or ice. The tires and  
chains could be damaged.  
NOTE  
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire  
pressure monitoring system, the system  
may not function correctly when using  
tire chains.  
Install the chains on the front tires.  
Don't use chains on the rear tires.  
Use only SAE Class “S” chains, and make  
sure they fit.  
4-10  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Driving Tips  
Driving In Flooded Area  
Overloading  
WARNING  
WARNING  
Driving with Wet Brakes:  
Vehicle Load Weight:  
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.  
Increased stopping distance or the  
vehicle pulling to one side when  
braking could result in a serious  
accident. Light braking will indicate  
whether the brakes have been affected.  
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly  
and applying the brakes lightly until  
brake performance returns to normal.  
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)  
and the gross vehicle weight rating  
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the  
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label  
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding  
these ratings can cause an accident or  
vehicle damage. You can estimate the  
weight of your load by weighing the  
items (or people) before putting them  
in the vehicle. Be careful not to  
overload your vehicle.  
CAUTION  
Make sure water does not enter the  
vehicle interior or the engine area.  
Interior materials could get moldy, and  
many electronic devices in the cabin  
and the engine could be damaged.  
4-11  
Before Driving Your Mazda  
Towing  
Trailer Towing  
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.  
4-12  

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