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:
Moonroof
The moonroof can be opened or closed
electrically only when the ignition is
switched ON.
WARNING
Do not let passengers stand up or
extend part of the body through the
open moonroof while the vehicle is
moving:
Extending the head, arms, or other
parts of the body throu ...
Base Installation
1. Cut away all of the original sealant using a razor.
WARNING:
Using a razor with bare hands can cause injury. Always wear gloves when using
a razor.
2. Clean and degrease the ceramic coating on the glass and the base.
CAUTION:
Keep the area free of dirt and grease, and ...
Liftgate Adjustment
1. Measure the gap and height difference between the liftgate and the body.
2. Loosen the liftgate hinge installation bolts and adjust the gap by moving
the liftgate.
Standard clearance
a: 5.0―7.0 mm {0.20―0.27 in}
b: -2.0―0 mm {-0.078―0 in}
...
