Exterior Care

Follow all label and container directions when using a chemical cleaner or polish.

Read all warnings and cautions.

Maintaining the Finish Washing To help protect the finish from rust and deterioration, wash your Mazda thoroughly and frequently, at least once a month, with lukewarm or cold water. If the vehicle is washed improperly, the paint surface could be scratched. Here are some examples of how scratching could occur. Scratches occur on the paint surface when:
- The vehicle is washed without first rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter. - The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry, or dirty cloth. - The vehicle is washed at a car wash that uses brushes that are dirty or too stiff.

- Cleansers or wax containing abrasives are used.

NOTE:
- Mazda is not responsible for scratches caused by automatic car washes or improper washing.

- Scratches are more noticeable on vehicles with darker paint finishes.

To minimize scratches on the vehicle's paint finish:
- Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter using lukewarm or cold water before washing.

- Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water and a soft cloth when washing the vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth. - Rub gently when washing or drying the vehicle. - Take your vehicle only to a car wash that keeps its brushes well maintained.

- Don't use abrasive cleansers or wax that contain abrasives.

CAUTION:
Don't use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. This may damage the protective coating; also, cleaners and detergents may discolor or deteriorate the paint.

To prevent damaging the antenna,
remove it before entering a car wash facility or passing beneath a low overhead clearance.

Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt, mud, and other foreign material from the underside of the fenders, and make sure the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels are clean. Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits can damage the finish if not removed immediately. When prompt washing with plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap made for use on vehicles. Thoroughly rinse off all soap with lukewarm or cold water. Don't allow soap to dry on the finish.

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a clean chamois to prevent water spots from forming.

WARNING:
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance is normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Waxing Your vehicle needs to be waxed when water no longer beads on the finish. Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body, wax the metal trim to maintain its luster. 1. Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive will remove paint and could damage bright metal parts. 2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors. 3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth.

4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

NOTE:
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take off the wax.

Rewax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it.

Repairing Damage to the Finish

Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly. Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs.

CAUTION:
If your Mazda is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced, make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to all parts, both repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting. Bright-Metal Maintenance - Use tar remover to remove road tar and insects. Never do this with a knife or similar tool. - To prevent corrosion on bright-metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome preservative and rub it to a high luster.

- During cold weather or in coastal areas, cover bright-metal parts with a coating of wax or preservative heavier than usual. It would also help to coat them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or some other protective compound.

CAUTION:
Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. This may result in damage to the protective coating and cause discoloration or paint deterioration. Underbody Maintenance Road chemicals and salt used for ice and snow removal and solvents used for dust control may collect on the underbody. If not removed, they will speed up rusting and deterioration of such underbody parts as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system, even though these parts may be coated with anti-corrosive material. Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel housings with lukewarm or cold water at the end of each winter. Try also to do this every month. Pay special attention to these areas because they easily hide mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to wet down the road grime without removing it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels, and frame members have drain holes that should not be clogged. Water trapped there will cause rusting.

WARNING:
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance is normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Aluminum Wheel Maintenance

A protective coating is provided over the aluminum wheels. Special care is needed to protect this coating.

NOTE:
- Do not use a wire brush or any abrasive cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on aluminum wheels. They may damage the coating. - Only use a mild soap or neutral detergent and always use a sponge or soft cloth to clean the wheels. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Also, be sure to clean the wheels after driving on dusty or salted roads. This helps prevent corrosion. - Avoid washing your vehicle in an automatic car wash that uses high-speed or hard brushes. - If your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax the wheels. (With Tire Pressure Monitoring System). Check special requirements for Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Refer to Tires and Wheels.

Convertible Top Maintenance

The convertible top is made of a special high-grade material, but if it's not taken good care of, hardening, staining, and loss of luster will result. Maintain it under these guidelines.

Washing Do not wait until the convertible top gets really dirty before cleaning it. Dirt that's there too long will cause deterioration. 1. Before washing, remove dust and coarse particulate with a soft brush. 2. Gently clean the convertible top with a synthetic neutral detergent, lots of water, and a soft brush. 3. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove all the soap. 4. Wipe it as dry as you can before the water dries on it.

5. Then allow it to dry completely before lowering it.

CAUTION:
Automatic and high-pressure car
washes are harmful to a
convertible top. Avoid them. Do not spray water directly on the
area where the window glass and the convertible top meet. This would probably cause water to enter the cabin.

Do not spray water with a hose or
a car washing device directly on the seam area of the body and the convertible top as it could result in water penetrating the trunk.

Appearance (Polyvinyl only)

Dress the convertible top once a month after washing and drying it well. For best results, use a water-based leather treatment or vinyl top dressing. This will help maintain good appearance and material condition of the convertible top.

CAUTION:
Some leather treatment products
can ruin the convertible top's gloss. Be careful of the one you choose. Test on an inconspicuous, small
corner of the convertible top if you are not sure. Do not get any car wax on the
convertible top. If you do, remove it with a good leather cleaner. Too much treatment on the
convertible top can be as damaging as too little. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Do not overdo it!

Let the convertible top dry
completely before lowering after applying treatment or dressing.

Hardtop Maintenance Washing To help protect the hardtop's finish, use a soft cloth or sponge to wash it.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits can damage the finish if they are not removed immediately. When prompt washing with plain water is ineffective use a mild soap made for use on vehicles.

CAUTION:
Don't use an automatic car wash.

Don't use strong soap, chemical
detergents, or hot water, and don't wash the hardtop in direct sunlight or when the surface is warm.

Thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold water. Don't allow soap to dry on the finish.

Waxing

Wax the hardtop when water no longer beads on the paint. Always wash and dry it before waxing.

CAUTION:
Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry
cloth will scratch the finish.

Don't use abrasive wax. This may
damage the protective coating and discolor or deteriorate the paint.

NOTE:
A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take off the wax.

Rewax these areas.