2004 Mazda MAZDA6 Owner's Manual - Page 212

J56J_8S11-EA-03G_Edition1.book Page 12 Tuesday, June 24, 2003 6:29 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 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. Apply the parking brake. 3. Turn off the air conditioner. Cooling Fan and Engine Inspection: Inspecting the engine with the ignition switch in the ON position is dangerous. The cooling fan could turn on unexpectedly even when the engine isn't running. You could be seriously injured by the fan. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key from the ignition switch when you inspect the engine. 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. 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 Cooling System Caps: When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause serious injury. Don't remove either cooling system cap when the engine and radiator are hot. 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. 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. 5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the temperature has decreased. 7-12 Form No. 8S11-EA-03G