2003 Mazda Protege Owner's Manual - Page 190
2003 Mazda Protege Manual
Page 190 highlights
J39L_EA.book Page 13 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM In Case of an Emergency Overheating Overheating If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, the vehicle loses power, or you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine is probably too hot. If this happens: 1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. 2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual transaxle in neutral. Apply the parking brake. 3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from the engine compartment. If steam is coming from the engine compartment: Don't go near the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine. Then turn the ignition switch to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling fans will start to cool the engine. If neither coolant nor steam is escaping: Open the hood and idle the engine until it cools. If this doesn't lower the temperature, stop the engine and let it cool. 5. Check the coolant level. If it's low, look for leaks in the radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator, and water pump. If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking, stop the engine and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Cooling system cap WARNING Steam from Overheated Engine: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The escaping steam could seriously burn you. Open the hood ONLY after steam is no longer escaping from the engine. Engine coolant reservoir If you find no problems, the engine is cool, and no leaks are obvious, carefully add coolant as required (page 8-12). 7-13 Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G