2007 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 266

Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition2 Page265 Friday, May 26 2006 10:55 AM Black plate (265,1) 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 the temperature gauge indicates overheating: 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. 3. Apply the parking brake. 4. Turn off the air conditioner. Turn off the ignition switch and make sure the fan is not running before attempting to work near the cooling fan: Working near the cooling fan when it is running is dangerous. The fan could continue running indefinitely even if the engine has stopped and the engine compartment temperature is high. You could be hit by the fan and seriously injured. 5. 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. Wait until the steam dissipates, then open the hood and start the engine. If neither coolant nor steam is escaping: Open the hood and idle the engine until it cools. WARNING Do not remove the cooling system cap when the engine and radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause serious injury. Open the hood ONLY after steam is no longer escaping from the engine: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The escaping steam could seriously burn you. CAUTION If the cooling fan does not operate while the engine is running, the engine temperature will increase. Stop the engine and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the temperature has decreased. 7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from the radiator and hoses. 7-13 Form No.8V66-EA-06F