Get Before Driving Your Mazda -> Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions Guide for Mazda 3 4 Door First Generation (2004-2009)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Before Driving Your Mazda -> Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions for Your Mazda 3 4 Door First Generation (2004-2009)

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