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:
Joint Shaft Removal/Installation [Skyactiv G 2.0]
CAUTION:
Performing the following procedures without first removing the ABS wheel-speed
sensor may possibly cause an open circuit in the wiring harness if it is pulled
by mistake. Before performing the following procedures, remove the ABS wheel-speed
sensor connector (axle side) and ...
Drive Belt Inspection [Skyactiv G 2.0]
Generator Drive Belt
NOTE:
The generator drive belt deflection/tension inspection is not necessary with
the adoption of the drive belt auto tensioner.
1. Verify that the indicator part of the cast hexagon on the drive belt auto
tensioner is within the normal range.
If ...
Side Wall Removal/Installation
1. Pull out the side wall in the direction shown in the direction of the arrow
shown in the figure, then remove the clips.
2. Remove the side wall in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.
CAUTION:
When remove the side wall, be careful not to damage the guide.
3 ...
