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 144 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-20
WARNING
!
Riding the Brakes:Driving with your foot
continuously on the brake pedal
or steadily applying the brakes for
long distances is dangerous. This
causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake
failure. This could cause loss of
vehicle control and a serious
accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes. Shift to
a lower gear when going down
steep hills.
WARNING
!
Driving with Wet Brakes:Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to
one side when braking could
result in a serious accident. Light
braking will indicate whether the
brakes have been affected. Dry
the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly
until brake performance is
normal.
047-2A1E
J94A4013
(J18Y4021)Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the disc plates. This causes a
screeching noise to warn that the pads
should be replaced.
Page 146 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Driving Your Mazda5-22
Q047-4AE
J94A4015
BRAKE
Brake System Warning Light
If the brake warning light stays on
after the parking brake is fully
released, the brake system has a
malfunction. Refer to Warning
Lights/Beeps (page 5-36).
Q047-5A2E
Antilock Brake System (ABS)*
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing
and reapplying that wheel’ s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration
in the brake pedal and may hear a
chattering noise from the brake
system. This is normal when the ABS
operates. Don’ t pump the brakes,
continue to press down on the brake
pedal.
Q047-7B2E
NOTEIf the ABS warning light stays on
while you’re driving, the ABS
control unit has detected a system
malfunction. If this occurs, your
brakes will function normally as if
the vehicle had no ABS. Should
this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Page 150 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-26
049-4F1E
J94A4019
(J18T4016)
RESUME/
ACCEL
button
SET/
COAST
button
To Set Speed
1. Turn on the CRUISE MAIN switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which must be more than 40 km/h
(25 mph). 3. Press the SET/COAST button and
release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
049-5AE
NOTE• The SET function can’ t be
activated until approximately 2
seconds after the CRUISE
MAIN switch has been
engaged.
• On a steep grade, the vehicle
may momentarily slow down
going up or speed up while
going down.
049-6A3E
To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one of
these methods:
• Press the OFF end of the Cruise
main switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• (Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is
off.
Page 159 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-35
052-1AE
Dashboard Illumination
Dim
Bright
J94A4028When the parking lights or headlights
are on, rotate the thumb wheel to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
lights.
Q053-1CE
Warning Lights/Beeps
Warning Lights Inspection
Inspect the warning lights by turning
the ignition switch to the ON position
with the engine off and the parking
brake on. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer about any light that
doesn’ t come on.
If the brake system warning light is off
when the ignition switch is in the
START position, have the system
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
After starting the engine, make sure all
warning lights are off. If one stays on,
it’ s signaling for attention. The brake system warning light should
go off when the parking brake is
released.
Page 160 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-36
Q053-2GE
Brake System Warning
Light
This warning has two functions.
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the START or ON position.
It goes off when the brake is fully
released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking
brake is fully released, you may have a
brake problem. If it stays on:
1. Be sure the parking brake is fully
released.
2. Check the light. If this light is still on, drive to the
side of the road and park off the
right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push or that it may go
closer to the floor. In either case, it
will take longer to stop the vehicle.
3. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and
add fluid as required (page 8-25). 4. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or
if the brakes do not operate
properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have it towed to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have
your brake system inspected as
soon as possible.
Page 161 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-37
WARNING
!
Brake Warning Light:Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may
not work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don’t
drive with this light on.
053-4HE
Seat Belt Warning
Light/Beep
If the driver ’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, a beep will sound for
about 6 seconds and the seat belt
warning light will remain on until the
belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate
correctly, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
053-5CE
Charging System
Warning Light
This warning light indicates a
malfunction of the alternator or of the
charging system.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine. Inspect the alternator drive belt for looseness
and breakage.
Page 164 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Driving Your Mazda5-40If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorizd Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
053-12CE
Door-Ajar Warning
Light
This warning light comes on when any
door or trunk isn’ t securely closed.
Q053-15IE
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light*
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on
while you’re driving, the ABS control
unit has detected a system
malfunction. If this occurs, your
brakes will function normally as if the
vehicle had no ABS. Should this
happen, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTEWhen the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm
occurs and the ABS warning light
comes on. This is due to a weak
battery, not a malfunction.
Recharge the battery.