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.
Page 157 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-33
Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.NOTE•Only the trip meters record
tenths of kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased
when;
•The power supply is
interrupted (blown fuse or
the battery is disconnected).
• The vehicle is driven over
999.9 km (miles).
051-4AE
J94S5004
Normal range
Water Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the temperature of
the engine coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range
toward H, it indicates overheating.
CAUTION
!
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 6-2).
Page 158 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-34
051-5EE
Warning light
J94S5005Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately
how much fuel is in the tank. We
recommend keeping the tank over 1/4
full. When the low fuel warning light
illuminates or when the needle is near
E, refuel as soon as possible.
051-7B1ERed
zone
J94A4027➀ 2.0-liter engine
➁ 2.5-liter engine
➁ ➀
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm). Use it while selecting shift points and
to prevent lugging and overrevving
(page 5-8).
051-8AE
CAUTION
!
Don’
t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED
ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
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 162 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-383. If it’s OK, the charging system has
a problem. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
053-6AE
CAUTION
!
Don’ t drive with a loose or broken
alternator belt. The engine could
overheat because this belt also
drives the water pump.
053-7EE
Engine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light indicates low
engine oil pressure.
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 and inspect the engine oil level (page 8-17). If it’ s
low, add oil. 3. Check the light.
If the light remains on even after
you add oil, have your vehicle
towed to the nearest service station
or to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
!
Don’ t run the engine if oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
Page 163 of 365

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.Driving Your Mazda
5-39
053-55A1E
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light*
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
The light flashes when the system
regulates engine torque and will stay
on if the system malfunctions. If it
stays on while the system is operating,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
053-8BE
Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning signals that the fuel tank
will soon be empty. Get fuel as soon as
possible.
053-9FE
Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving,
the vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving
conditions when the light came on and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The check engine light may come on
in the following cases:
•
The fuel tank level being very low
or approaching empty.
• The engine’ s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• A ROOM fuse blows or is
removed.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.