The Mazda Protege, produced from 1998 to 2003, represents a compact sedan and hatchback known for offering affordable, reliable, and practical transportation with a surprisingly sporty driving feel for its segment. Built on the Mazda BJ Platform, this generation of Protege aimed to compete with established rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, appealing to young drivers and budget-conscious buyers seeking a dependable daily driver. Available in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles, and often equipped with a 2.0L FS-DE inline 4-cylinder engine, the Protege provided a solid balance of performance and efficiency, making it a well-regarded choice in its class. This comprehensive service manual provides detailed workshop repair and maintenance information for the Mazda Protege models from 1998 through 2003. Covering all major systems including powertrain, chassis, electrical, and body, the manual details scheduled maintenance, component removal and installation, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting guides. With 1501 pages of English content, this resource is designed to assist owners, mechanics, and technicians in effectively maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing the vehicle, ensuring its continued reliability and performance. 🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Mazda Model: Protege Model Years Covered: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Codes Platform: Mazda BJ Platform 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Compact Sedan/Hatchback Competitive Analysis Competitors: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cavalier. Key Features Value Proposition: Affordable, reliable, and practical transportation with a sporty driving feel for its class. Target Audience: Young drivers, budget-conscious buyers, those seeking a dependable daily driver. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Primary Coverage: Workshop Repair and Service Page Count Total Pages: 1501 Manual Type Type: Service Manual / Workshop Manual Language Language: English Format Format: PDF Download 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Powertrain: Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system, automatic transmission, manual transmission, drivetrain (FWD/AWD if applicable). Chassis: Suspension system (front and rear), steering system, brake system (hydraulic, ABS), wheels and tires. Electrical: Wiring diagrams, lighting system, instrument cluster, audio system, climate control, power accessories (windows, locks), engine control module (ECM) diagnostics, body control module (BCM). Body: Body construction, interior trim, exterior trim, doors, windows, seats, safety restraints (airbags, seatbelts). Procedures Included Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance intervals, fluid level checks and changes, filter replacements, tune-up procedures, lubrication points. Repair: Component removal and installation, overhaul procedures, diagnostic routines, torque specifications, adjustments. Troubleshooting: Diagnostic flowcharts, symptom-based troubleshooting guides, common fault finding. Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive, covering from basic maintenance to in-depth engine and transmission overhauls, electrical system diagnostics, and body repairs. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: PDF Print Quality Quality: High-resolution scans, clear text and diagrams, suitable for printing. Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital Download) Paper Type Paper: N/A (Digital Download) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code: FS-DE (2.0L DOHC) Displacement: 1991 cc (2.0 Liters) Configuration: Inline 4-cylinder Valvetrain: DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft), 16 valves Bore X Stroke: 83.1 mm x 92.0 mm Performance Horsepower: Approx. 120-130 hp @ 5600-6000 rpm (depending on year and market) Torque: Approx. 130-135 lb-ft @ 3500-4000 rpm (depending on year and market) Fuel System Induction: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI) Fuel Type: Unleaded Gasoline Other Engines Optional Engine: FP-DE (1.8L DOHC) - used in earlier years of this generation. 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Type: 5-speed Manual Transmission Optional Transmission Type: 4-speed Automatic Transmission Features Automatic Features: Electronically controlled, Lock-up torque converter. Fluid Specifications Manual Transmission Fluid: API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 or SAE 80W-90 gear oil (check manual for specific Mazda specification) Automatic Transmission Fluid: Mazda ATF-III or equivalent (e.g., Dexron III) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length: Approx. 171.5 inches (4356 mm) for Sedan, 166.5 inches (4229 mm) for Hatchback Width: Approx. 67.3 inches (1709 mm) Height: Approx. 55.7 inches (1415 mm) for Sedan, 54.7 inches (1390 mm) for Hatchback Wheelbase: Approx. 102.8 inches (2611 mm) Weights Curb Weight: Approx. 2700 - 2900 lbs (1225 - 1315 kg) depending on body style and equipment. 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Front Impact: 4-star driver, 4-star passenger (for most years, check specific NHTSA reports) IIHS Ratings: Good (check specific IIHS reports for exact model year and configuration) Active Features ABS: Available on some higher trim levels or as an option. Passive Features Airbags: Driver and front passenger airbags standard on most models. Seatbelts: Front pretensioner seatbelts. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Factory AM/FM/CD or Cassette player, often with 4-6 speakers. Aftermarket upgrades are common. Navigation: Not available on factory models of this era. Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Available on many higher trim levels. Connectivity Aux Input: Not available on factory models, requires aftermarket adapter or head unit. 🔧 Maintenance Service Intervals Oil Change Interval: Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first (severe conditions may require more frequent changes). Air Filter Replacement: Every 15,000-30,000 miles (24,000-48,000 km) or as needed. Spark...