Wiper Blades

WARNING

Hot waxes applied by automatic car washes can reduce the cleaning ability of the wipers.

To avoid damaging the wiper blades, do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents on or near the wiper blades.

When the wiper lever is in the AUTO position and the switch is set to ON, the wipers may operate automatically in the following cases:

• If the windshield above the rain sensor is touched.
• If the windshield above the rain sensor is wiped with a cloth.
• If the windshield is struck with a hand or another object.
• If the rain sensor is struck with a hand or another object from inside the vehicle.

Be careful not to pinch your hands or fingers, as they may be injured or the wipers may be damaged.

When the Mazda is washed or serviced, make sure the wiper lever is in the OFF position.

Contamination of the windshield or wiper blades by foreign matter can reduce wiper effectiveness. Common sources of contamination are insects, tree sap and hot wax treatments used in some automatic car wash facilities.

If the blades do not wipe properly, clean the glass and blades with a good cleaning product or mild detergent and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Repeat if necessary.

Replacing the Windshield Wiper Blades

When the wipers no longer clean the windshield properly, the blades are likely worn or damaged.

Replace them.

WARNING

To avoid damaging the wiper arms and other components, do not move the wipers by hand.

NOTE

To avoid damaging the wiper blades when both the driver's and passenger's wiper arms are raised, raise the driver's wiper arm first. Also, when reinstalling the wiper arms, lower the passenger's wiper arm first.

1. 1
   Raise the wiper arm.
2. 2
   Open the release tab and slide the wiper blade assembly in the direction of the arrow.

   

3. Tilt the wiper blade assembly and remove it from the arm.

WARNING

To prevent damage to the windshield, lower the wiper arm gently without striking the windshield.

4. Pull the blade and slide it out of the blade holder.

5. Remove the metal strips from the rubber of each wiper blade and install them into a new wiper blade rubber.

WARNING

• Do not bend or discard the metal strips. They must be reused.
• If the metal strips are reversed, the wiper blade performance may decrease. Therefore, do not use the driver's side metal strips on passenger side blades, or vice versa.
• Make sure to reinstall the metal strips into the new blade rubber so that the curvature matches that of the removed rubber.

6. Carefully insert a new blade rubber. Install the wiper blade assembly in the reverse order of removal.