2001 MAZDA MODEL 626 brakes

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.

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 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.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-19
NOTE•If the TCS is off when the
engine is turned off, it
automatically activates when
the ignition switch is turned on.
• Leaving the TCS on will
provide the best traction.
047-1A1E
Brake SystemFoot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use.
Should power assist fail, you can stop
by applying greater force than normal
to the brake pedal. But the distance
required to stop will be greater than
usual.
WARNING
!
Driving with the Engine Off:Continuing to drive when the
engine is stalled or turned off is
dangerous. Braking will require
more effort, and the brake’ s
power assist could be depleted if
you pump the brake. This will
cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don’ t
continue driving when the engine
is stalled or turned off, find a safe
place to stop.

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.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-21
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
!
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail
and cause a serious accident. As
soon as you hear the pad wear
indicator consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Q047-3A1E
J94A4014
To releaseTo set
Parking brake
handle
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal; then pull the brake handle
fully upward.
To release it, pull the handle up and
press the button. Depress the brake pedal; then lower the handle to the
release position while holding the
button in. Release the pedal when it’
s
safe to do so.
Q047-6A1E
CAUTION
!
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the
brake linings or pads.

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.