Free Play Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mazda MPV. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Verify that the throttle valve is closed.
Push the cable into the housing without turning the throttle plate and put a white mark on the cable at the end of the housing.
Release the cable and measure the distance the white mark to the end of the cable housing.
- If not within the specification, adjust the accelerator cable. (See ACCELERATOR CABLE ADJUSTMENT .)
  Free play
  
  1.5-4.0 mm {0.06-0.15 in}
  
  Fig 1: Inspecting Free Play Of Accelerator Cable
  Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.