Mazda 3 (2004-2009) - Change Engine Coolant
From WikiAutoRepair
 | |
| Production | 2004-2009 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Ford C1 platform |
| Engine(s) | 1.4 L MZR I4 1.5 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZR I4 2.0 L MZR I4 2.3 L MZR I4 1.6 L MZ-CD I4 2.0 L MZR-CD I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual |
| Length | 2004-06 i Sedan: 178.3 in 2004-06 s Sedan: 4540 mm (178.7 in) 2004-06 Hatchback: 4485 mm (176.6 in) 2007-09 i Sedan: 177.4 in 2007-09 s Sedan: 177.6 in 2007-present Hatchback: 176.8 |
| Width | 1755 mm (69.1 in) |
| Height | 1465 mm (57.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 1180-1315 kg (2600-2900 lb) |
Contents |
[edit] Tools Needed
- Drain bucket
- Flathead screw driver
[edit] Supplies Needed
- Coolant 50/50 mix
- Caution:
- Use engine coolant at the concentration that meets the environmental conditions in which the vehicle is driven, otherwise engine damage may occur
- The engine has aluminum parts and must be protected by an ethelyne-glycol based coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing.
- Do not use coolants containing alcohol, methanol, borate or silicate. These coolants could damage the cooling sys.
- Use only soft (demineralized) water in the coolant mixture. Water that contains minerals will cut down the coolant's effectiveness.
- Caution:
[edit] Instructions
- Take off black plastic skid plate that you normally remove when doing an oil change.
- Make sure the engine is COOL so the radiator is not under pressure to avoid burns.
- Unscrew the cap from the pressurized plastic coolant reservoir on the left side of the engine bay. If the engine is still slightly warm, you might hear a “hiss” of pressurized gas escape. Unscrewing this cap allows “air” into the system for coolant to drain at the drain plug.
- Locate the black plastic drain plug on the bottom of the radiator, and unscrew it using a short wide flathead screw driver (Or short, wide head Phillips screw driver).
- Once it’s unscrewed, there’s still a portion of the drain plug preventing fluid from draining, You have to pry at the plug a little and pull it straight out enough so that the fluid drains.
- Cold or warm coolant should then be coming out of the radiator drain plug. Catch this in a container that can hold more than a gallon. (Optional to pour distilled (demineralized) water into the reservoir to "flush" some old fluid out until the water exiting the drain plug is clean and clear).
- As the coolant drains you will see your coolant reservoir level drop. This is where you fill re-fill your car with new coolant.
- Once coolant is drained, retighten drain plug snug by hand (firm, don’t over tighten or strip the plastic head)
- Pour the new coolant mix into the reservoir until the radiator is full and the reservoir is at the fill line.
- As a precaution, when done you may warm up the engine to operating temperature with the coolant cap off the reservoir. This may take 5 minutes or possible longer. When the engine is at operating temperature the coolant will be cycling. Then you should give throttle and this should help remove any possible air bubbles in the cooling system. Screw the coolant cap back on the reservoir. After a few cooling cycles you should re-check your coolant levels and top off your fluids if necessary.
