Page 121 of 365
Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Protecting Your Mazda
4-15
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 returns
to normal.
037-11AE
Trailer Towing
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
038-1AE
Overloading
WARNING
!
Vehicle Load Weight:The gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) and the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of your
vehicle are on the Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard Label on the
driver ’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an
accident or vehicle damage. You
can estimate the weight of your
load by weighing the items (or
people) before putting them in the
vehicle. Be careful not to overload
your vehicle.
Page 125 of 365

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
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 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 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.