Mazda 3 Owners Manual: Underbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and snow removal and solvents used for dust control may collect on the underbody. If not removed, they will speed up rusting and deterioration of such underbody parts as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system, even though these parts may be coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel housings with lukewarm or cold water at the end of each winter. Try also to do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas because they easily hide mud and dirt.
It will do more harm than good to wet down the road grime without removing it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels, and frame members have drain holes that should not be clogged. Water trapped there will cause rusting.
| WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal:
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 aff ected. |
Bright-Metal Maintenance
Use tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
To prevent corrosion on brightmetal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a ...
Aluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
mild detergent. Before using any
...
Other materials:
Hood Removal/Installation
WARNING:
Removing the hood without supporting it could cause the hood to fall and
cause serious injury. Always perform the procedure with at least another person
to prevent the hood from falling.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable..
2. Remove the following parts:
a. Fro ...
Transaxle Range (TR) Switch Removal/Installation [FS5 A EL]
CAUTION:
Water or foreign objects entering the connector can cause a poor connection
or corrosion. Be sure not to drop water or foreign objects on the connector
when disconnecting it.
1. Engage the parking brake and use wheel chocks at the front and rear of the
wheels.
2. Shi ...
Center Cover Removal/Installation
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable..
2. Remove the center panel..
3. Remove the upper clumn cover..
4. Remove the instrument cluster..
5. Pull the center cover in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure, then
remove the hooks.
6. Pull the center cover in the direction of ...
