Page 5 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
LIGHTS
HEADLIGHT HIGHBEAM
HEADLIGHT LOWBEAM
PARKING LIGHTS
ILLUMINATIONCONTROL
TURN SIGNALS
HOOD RELEASE
TRUNK RELEASE
FUEL
ENGINE COOLANTTEMPERATURE
ENGINE OIL
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM
BRAKE SYSTEM
VENTILATION FAN
AIR RECIRCULATION
FRESH AIR
VENT
VENT-FLOOR
How to Use This Manual
Q002-2AE
Graphic symbols:
Some of the following symbols are used to identify
controls and displays on your vehicle.
Page 10 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Your Vehicle at a Glance
1-3
004-3AE
Dashboard Overview
Hazard warning flasher switch (page 6-2)
Vent (page 5-62) Side vent (page 5-62)
J94S1002
Instrument cluster (page 5-30)
Cruise control switch* (page 5-26)Audio system* (page 5-75)
Shift lever (page 5-7, 5-9)
Parking brake handle (page 5-21)
Dashboard illumination
control (page 5-35)
Hood release handle (page 3-20)
Outside mirror switch*
(page 3-34) Light control/
Turn signal lever
(page 5-44)
Climate control system (page 5-60)
Page 114 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Protecting Your Mazda4-8
Q034-3BE
After Getting In
• Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone’ s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. •
Release the parking brake and
make sure the brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with
your Mazda.
035-1AE
Break-In PeriodNo special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the first 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the
performance, economy, and life of
your Mazda.
• Don’ t race the engine.
• Don’ t maintain one constant speed
for long periods.
• Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
• Avoid full-throttle starts.
Page 118 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Protecting Your Mazda4-12
Q037-7IE
Winter Driving
• Carry emergency gear, including
tire chains, window scraper, flares,
a small shovel, jumper cables, and
a small bag of sand or salt.
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze
in the radiator (page 8-22).
• Inspect the battery and its cables.
Cold reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-16).
• Inspect the ignition system for
damage and loose connections. •
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’ t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-33).
• Don’ t use the parking brake if it
might freeze. Instead, shift to P
with an automatic transaxle and to
1 or R with a manual. Block the
rear wheels.
037-8H1E
Snow tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped
with all season radials designed to be
used all year around. In some extreme
climates you may find it necessary to
replace them with snow tires during
the winter months to further improve
traction on snow and ice covered roads.
Use snow tires on all four wheels.
Don’ t go faster than 120 km/h (75
mph). Inflate snow tires 28 kPa (0.3
kgf/cm
2, 4 psi) more than
recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver ’s door), but never more
than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
Page 128 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-4
Q042-6EE
WARNING
!
Not Setting the Parking Brake:Leaving the driver ’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the
parking brake is not set. This
could cause an accident. Before
leaving the driver ’s seat, always
set the parking brake and make
sure the shift lever is at P with an
automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
042-7A1E
NOTEIf the ignition switch is in the
LOCK or ACC position, a beep
will sound when any door is
opened.
Q043-8AE
Starting the Engine1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
Page 134 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-10
045-2AE
Transaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be at P or N to
operate the starter.
Q045-3A4E
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WARNING
!
Holding the Vehicle with P:Setting the shift lever at the P
position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle could be
dangerous. If P fails to hold, the
vehicle could move and cause an
accident. To hold the vehicle, set
the shift lever at P AND set the
parking brake.
CAUTION
!
• Shifting into P or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage
your transaxle.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is
running faster than idle can
damage the transaxle.
Page 135 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-11
045-4AE
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-11).
Q045-5AE
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
!
Shifting from N or P:It’ s dangerous to shift from N or
P into a driving gear when the
engine is running faster than idle.
If this is done, the vehicle could
move suddenly, causing an
accident or serious injury. If the
engine is running faster than idle,
don’ t shift from N or P into a
driving gear. D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From
a stop, the transaxle will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
045-14A1E
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving
in heavy, slow-moving traffic and
climbing hills; for braking assist when
going down hills; or for starting on
slick surfaces and other situations
where gentle acceleration may be
necessary. Do not exceed 116 km/h
(72 mph)
*1 or 104 km/h (65 mph)
*2 in
the 2 position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine
Page 145 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-21
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
!
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail
and cause a serious accident. As
soon as you hear the pad wear
indicator consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Q047-3A1E
J94A4014
To releaseTo set
Parking brake
handle
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal; then pull the brake handle
fully upward.
To release it, pull the handle up and
press the button. Depress the brake pedal; then lower the handle to the
release position while holding the
button in. Release the pedal when it’
s
safe to do so.
Q047-6A1E
CAUTION
!
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the
brake linings or pads.