Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

WARNING:

To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap while engine is operating or hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

CAUTION:

The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.

NOTE:

About 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap one half turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock.

Fig 1: Opening Draincock And Allow To Drain
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
1. Open the draincock and allow to drain.
2. Close the radiator draincock when finished.

Filling - bleeding

CAUTION:

The cooling system is filled with either green-colored or yellow-colored Mazda Premium Engine Coolant meeting Mazda Specifications. To determine the vehicle's coolant type (color), check the coolant reservoir.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system and maintain the warranty on the cooling system:

Add Mazda Premium Engine Coolant of the type of coolant originally equipped in the vehicle. If you are unsure which type of coolant the vehicle requires, check the coolant reservoir.
Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such as Mazda Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Mazda specifications with factory-filled coolant. Mixing Mazda Specialty Orange Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with the factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case of an emergency. In this instance, the cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating of freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors of additives to the coolant. these can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine coolant.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Mazda-approved recycling process. (See Use of Recycled Engine Coolant section of the owners manual.

Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the Gades bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at vents in instrument panel.
Start the engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at vents.
CAUTION:
- If air discharge remains cool and engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, engine coolant level is low in engine and must be filled. Stop engine, allow to cool and fill cooling system.
Start engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.
Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
Check the engine for coolant leaks.
Check the engine coolant level in Gades bottle and fill as necessary.