2001 MAZDA MODEL 626 brake

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your MazdaOperating your vehicle requires a good understanding of the many controls you must know and use. Section 5
describes all this in step-by-step information from use of the ignition switch to cruise control and braking.
Also highlighted are the gearshift and shifting modes, power steering, instruments and gaug\
es, warnings and
indicators, windshield wipers, and interior features. You’ll find complete details about the advanced audio
system too.Ignition Switch Positions 5- 2Starting the Engine 5- 4
Manual Transaxle Operation 5- 7 Automatic Transaxle 5- 9
Traction Control System (TCS) 5- 16 Brake System 5- 19
Power Steering 5- 24 Cruise Control 5- 24
Instrument Cluster 5- 30 Gauges 5- 31
Dashboard Illumination 5- 35 Warning Lights/Beeps 5- 35
Lighting Control and Turn Signals 5- 44 Windshield Wipers and Washer 5- 47 Rear Window Defroster 5- 49 Clock 5- 51
Accessory Socket 5- 51 Glove Box 5- 55
Cup Holders 5- 56
Storage Compartments 5- 57 Sunvisors 5- 59
Vanity Mirrors 5- 60
Climate Control System 5- 60
Radio Reception 5- 75
Safety Certification 5- 80
AM/FM Radio with Compact Disc Player 5- 82 AM/FM Radio with Cassette Tape
and Compact Disc Player/Changer (In-Dash CD Changer) 5- 83 Antenna 5-123
5
5-1

Q041-1B1E

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-2

042-1CE
Ignition Switch PositionsWithout immobilizer
system
J94A4001A
 ON
This is the normal running position
after the engine is started. The warning
lights (except brakes) should be
inspected before the engine is started
(page 5-35).
With immobilizer
system
J94S5001
 START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key;
then it returns to the ON position. The
brake warning light can be checked
after the engine is started (page 5-35). 
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
 LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can
the key be removed.

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.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-8
044-3AE
 Recommendations for Shifting
 Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we
recommend these shift points.
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
1 to 2
26 km/h
(16 mph)
27 km/h
(17 mph)
2 to 3
45 km/h
(28 mph)
48 km/h
(30 mph)
3 to 4
53 km/h
(33 mph)
56 km/h
(35 mph)
4 to 5
63 km/h
(39 mph)
63 km/h
(39 mph)
For cruising, we recommend these
shift points.
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
1 to 2
13 km/h
( 8 mph)
13 km/h
( 8 mph)
2 to 3
32 km/h
(20 mph)
34 km/h
(21 mph)
3 to 4
50 km/h
(31 mph)
52 km/h
(32 mph)
4 to 5
68 km/h
(42 mph)
66 km/h
(41 mph)
 Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade,
downshift before the engine starts to
overwork. This reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration
when you need more speed.
On a steep downgrade,
downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and
prolongs brake life.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-9
045-1AE
Automatic TransaxleAutomatic Transaxle Controls
Various Lockouts:
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal
and, hold in the lock-release button to shift
(The ignition switch must be in the ACC or ON position.)The shift lever can be shifted freely into any position
indicated by the arrow. Lock-release button
To prevent unsafe shifting
Shift pattern indicator
Shows shift lever position
Shift lever
Overdrive button
For selecting either a three-speed or four-speed transaxle
Overdrive (O/D) OFF
indicator
This indicator comes on
when the overdrive has
been turned off.
J94A4007
J94A4006_a
Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release button to shift.
J94S.J94A4006_a+7

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.

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

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-121 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum
power in hard-pulling situations, or for
climbing and descending very steep
grades. Do not exceed 63 km/h (39
mph)
*1 or 60 km/h (38 mph)
*2 in the 1
position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine

045-15BE
 Driving Tips
 Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
 Climbing steep grades from a
stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal. 2. Shift to D or 1 depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
 Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to 2 or 1, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.