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:
Decoration Panel Removal/Installation
1. Remove the following parts:
a. Passenger-side front scuff plate.
b. Passenger-side front side trim.
c. Glove compartment.
d. Passenger-side lower panel.
2. Remove the screw.
3. Pull the decoration panel in the direction of the arrow (1), (2) shown in
the figure, while remove the hoo ...
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions
The front and side supplemental restraint systems (SRS) include different
types of air bags.
Please verify which kinds of air bags are equipped on your vehicle by locating
the
“SRS AIRBAG” location indicators. These indicators are visible in the area where
the air
bags are installed.
T ...
Parking in an Emergency
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and
all the t ...
