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:
Side Step Molding Installation
NOTE:
Double-sided adhesive tape has already been adhered to a new side step molding
for installation.
When a side step molding is to be reused, perform the following procedure:
1. Remove any grease or dirt from the affixing surface of the side step molding.
2. Affix double-si ...
Picture Quality Adjustment
WARNING
Always adjust the picture quality of the rear view monitor while the
vehicle is stopped:
Do not adjust the picture quality of the rear view monitor while driving
the vehicle.
Adjusting the picture quality of the rear view monitor such as
brightness, contrast, colo ...
Front Seat Belt Removal/Installation [Two Step Deployment Control System]
WARNING:
Handling the front seat belt (pre-tensioner seat belt) improperly can accidentally
deploy the pre-tensioner seat belt, which may seriously injure you. Read the
air bag system service warnings and cautions before handling the front seat
belt..
WARNING:
Th ...
