Contents: Performing maintenance ⇓ Running engine ⇓
During vehicle operation, such processes as loosening of fastening of units and assemblies, wear of rubbing surfaces, violation of adjustment parameters, aging of rubber products and paint coatings inevitably occur. To prevent malfunctions and increase the reliability of the vehicle, scheduled preventive maintenance is provided, which includes inspection, adjustment, lubrication work, as well as replacement of individual parts.
This subsection of the book will help the car enthusiast to maintain the car in good condition, reduce the operating fuel and oil consumption and extend the service life of the car. This subsection provides a general plan for the scheduled preventive maintenance of the car, followed by subsections describing the maintenance operations in more detail. The drawings of the engine compartment and the bottom of the car body contained in the book allow you to get an idea of the location of the main elements. Carrying out maintenance in strict accordance with the plan provided in the book will ensure a long and reliable service of the car.
When servicing your car, you will notice that some operations can be combined. For example, if you lift the car to perform an operation, you can simultaneously check the exhaust system components. Prepare carefully for maintenance. Read the description of the operation you are going to perform and buy the necessary tools and spare parts. If you encounter a problem that you cannot solve yourself, contact a specialist.
Regular maintenance will ensure:
- good fuel economy;
- long service life of the car;
- enjoying driving a car;
- traffic safety;
- reliability;
- and the ability to use all the benefits of the guarantee;
- compliance with the requirements of current legislation in terms of environmental protection.
Performing maintenance
Servicing your vehicle is dangerous if the instructions and appropriate safety precautions are not followed. Certain operations involve the risk of serious injury. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and practical experience, or do not have the necessary tools or equipment to perform the work, have your vehicle serviced by an authorized Mazda dealer.
Running engine
It is dangerous to work in the engine compartment if the engine is running. The risk of injury is even greater if you are wearing jewelry or loose clothing. Jewelry, bulky or long items of clothing can get caught in rotating parts, which can cause injury. Therefore, if you must work in the engine compartment with the engine running, be sure to remove all jewelry (especially rings, bracelets, watches, chains), as well as a tie, scarf or similar loose clothing before going directly near the engine or cooling fan, which may suddenly turn on and begin to rotate.
Motor oil viscosity affects fuel economy and engine performance at low temperatures (for example, to start a cold engine). Using low-viscosity motor oil improves fuel economy and makes it easier to start the engine at low ambient temperatures. However, at high ambient temperatures, it is necessary to use a more viscous motor oil, which provides better lubrication conditions for engine parts.
When selecting engine oil viscosity, consider the prevailing ambient temperature range during the period until the next oil change. Then determine the recommended engine oil viscosity using the charts above.
Note. Engine oil consumption is mainly due to the burnout of the oil film on the cylinder walls, combustion of oil that has entered the engine cylinders through the crankcase ventilation system, and evaporation losses. The natural engine oil consumption for a serviceable engine is up to 0.8 liters per 1000 km of vehicle mileage. At the beginning of vehicle operation, when the engine parts are running in, engine oil consumption may exceed the specified value. Engine oil consumption depends on engine operating modes (crankshaft speed and load), as well as the driving style of the car. With a dynamic high-speed driving style, when the engine operates in forced modes, the consumption of engine oil increases and can exceed the value specified above.
[The original article is on mazbook]