Page 126 of 365
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.
Page 127 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-3
042-2DE
LOCK(0)ON(II)
ACC(I)
Push the key
J94A4003 Manual transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, push the key in at
the ACC position.
042-3FE
J94S.J94A4004
LOCK(0) ON(II)
ACC(I)
Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
Automatic transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, keep the shift
lever at P.
042-4AE
NOTEIf turning the key is difficult, jiggle
the steering wheel from side to
side.
042-5BE
WARNING
!
Removing the Key:It’s dangerous to remove the key
from the ignition switch while the
vehicle is moving. Removing the
key allows the steering wheel to
lock. You will lose steering control
and a serious accident could
occur. Remove the key only when
the vehicle is parked.
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 140 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Driving Your Mazda5-16
114-1A1E
Traction Control System
(TCS)*The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
regulating engine torque. When the
TCS detects driving wheel slippage, it
lowers engine torque to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to
provide optimum power to the drive
wheels without causing them to spin
and lose traction.
WARNING
!
TCS and Unsafe Driving:The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following
another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You
can still have an accident. So
don’t rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe
driving.
WARNING
!
TCS and Snow and Ice:Driving without proper traction
devices on snow- and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone
cannot provide adequate traction
and you could still have an
accident. Use snow tires or tires
chains and drive at reduced
speeds when roads are covered
with ice and snow.
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 147 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-23
NOTEBraking distances may be longer
on loose surfaces (snow or gravel,
for example) which usually have a
hard foundation. A vehicle with a
normal braking system may
require less distance to stop under
these conditions because the tires
will build up a wedge of surface
layer when the wheels skid.
WARNING
!
ABS:The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving,
excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too
closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the
road surface). You can still have
an accident. So don’t rely on ABS
as a substitute for safe driving.
NOTEWhen the engine is jump-started,
an unevenness of rpm occurs and
the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a lack of battery
capacity and doesn’ t indicate a
malfunction.
Have the battery recharged as soon
as possible.
Page 148 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Driving Your Mazda5-24
048-1A1E
Power SteeringPower steering uses energy from the
engine. If the engine is off or if the
power steering system becomes
inoperative, you can still steer, but it
will require more effort.
If you find steering hard in normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
!
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme left or right for more
than five seconds with the engine
running. This could damage the
power steering system.
049-1A1E
Cruise Control*With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of
more than about 40 km/h (25 mph).
WARNING
!
Cruise Control Use:Using cruise control in the
following conditions could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle:
•Heavy or unsteady traffic
• Slippery or winding roads
• Similar restrictions that
require inconsistent speed
Don’ t use cruise control in these
situations.