Mazda 3 Owners Manual: Overheating

Mazda 3 Owners Manual / If Trouble Arises / 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

Switch the ignition to 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 indefi nitely 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:

Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
Turn off the air conditioner.
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.

Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the temperature has decreased.
When cool, check the coolant level.
If it is low, look for coolant leaks from the radiator and hoses.

If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking:

Stop the engine and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Mazda 3. If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking

If you find no problems, the engine is cool, and no leaks are obvious:

Carefully add coolant as required .

CAUTION If the engine continues to overheat or frequently overheats, have the cooling system inspected. The engine could be seriously damaged unless repairs are made. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Push-Starting

Do not push-start your Mazda. WARNING Never tow a vehicle to start it: Towing a vehicle to start it is dangerous. The vehicle being towed could surge forward when its engine sta ...

Emergency Towing

...

Other materials:

Vehicle Engine Control Unit Reset Procedure
NOTE This procedure is intended for vehicles with the engine oil flexible maintenance setting selected. After replacing the engine oil, have a repair shop such as an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform the initialization (engine oil data resetting) of the recorded value. If the value recorded ...

Electric Power Steering Oil Pump Component Disassembly/Assembly
CAUTION: The internal parts of the EHPAS control module and motor could be damaged if they receive an impact. Be careful when handling the EHPAS control module and motor to prevent the component from getting hit. Replace the electric power steering oil pump component if it has recei ...

Locking, Unlocking with Key
All doors and the liftgate lock automatically when the driver's door is locked using the auxiliary key. All doors and the liftgate unlock when the driver's door is unlocked and the auxiliary key is held in the unlock position for one second or longer. Turn the auxiliary key toward the fro ...