Page 22 of 290

Ess€ntial Safety Equipm€nt
zTr-
-O-li __/ ,-/ \.- _/ .
AclurroN
Belt relraclion may become difficult
ifdre belts and rings are soiled. so try
I S€at Belt Warning LighvBeep
Ifthe driver seat belt is not fasrened
when ihe ignilion switch is lumed to the
ON position, abeep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat bell warning light
willremain on llnlil the belt is faslened.
If the system does not operate correc y,
consult an Aulhorized Mazda Dealer
A wan-rrrylrc
T\'isted Seat Belt!:
T*isted seat belts an dange.ous.In
a cotLsion, the fuU t'i hofthebeh
isn't tvailable toabsorb the inryct.
This puts nore force on the bones
beneath the belt,t!'hich co A break
themot cause other seious injury o.
death. Don'twear tvisted seat bel^.
I WARN/NG
One Belt.One Passenser:
Usins one seat bell for n ore than one
person ot a time is .lange.ou!. A seat
belt uted in this wor can't ryrcad the
inpact forces prcpertr and the two
passengerc coud be crushed together
and senoufu injuled or ewn ki .d.
Never use one belt for norc than one
2-to
Page 67 of 290
Knowing Your Mazda
I MainlenanceAcaurroN
Danger ofexplosion if battery is
incorreclly replaced.
Replace only with the same type
battery (page 3-10).
Dispose of used batFries according
ro the fbllowing instructions.
. Insulate lhe ptus and ninus
terminal of the battery by using
cellophane or equivalent tape.
. Never disassemble.
. Never throw rhe balteries into
, Never deform or crush.
AclurroN
Make sure the batlery is installed
with the correcl pole facing
upward. Battery leakage could
occur if it is not insralled conectly.
When repiacing the bartery. be
carelirl notto bend $e elecrrical
terminals or get oil on them. Also
be careful not to gel din in the
lransmjtter as it could damage it.
V Replacing the *ansmitte. batiery
L Insen a small screwdriver inlo the slot
and gently pry op€n the transmilter
Page 76 of 290
Knowing Your Mzz da
Hood Release
1 . with the vehicle parked. pull the
release handle 1() unlock the hood.
2. Puli the safery catch up and lift the3- Use the support rod to hold ihe hood
Before closing the hood, secure the rod in
its clip.
Check under the hood aJea to make
ce(ain all filler caps are in place and
atl loose icms (e.g. tools, oil
containers, etc.) have b€en removed.
Close the hood so ihat it locks
3-18
Page 92 of 290

Protecting Your Mrzdg
Before Driving
I Belore Getting In
. Be sure the windows, outside
mirror(s), and outside lights a.re clean.
. Inspect inllation pressures and
condition of tires-
. Look under the vebicle for any sign of
. If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.
I After Getting In
. Are all doors closed and locked?
. Are tbe inside and outside mirors
adj'rsGd?
. Is everyone seat belt faslened?
. Do all the lights work?
. Check all gauges.
. Check all waming lights when the
ignition switch is lumed 1() the ON
posirion.
. Release ihe parking brake and make
sure the brate waming lighlgoes off
Always be lhoroughly f:rmiliar with your
Mazda.
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the firs! 1,000 km
(600 miles) may add to the peformance.
economy, and life of your Mazda.
. Don'trace the engine.
. Don't maintain one consiantspeed for
long.
. Donl drive constantly at full th.ottle
or high engine rpm for exlended
. Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
. Avoid full throule starts.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolanl,
brake/clutch fluid, washer fluid. and
other fluid levels shouldbe inspected
daily, weekly, or at refueling,
dependjng on the fluid. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
4-6
Page 95 of 290

Protecting Your Mazda
Aw,qntaxo
spiatiaglLcMElls:
When the vehicle b stuck, spinni g
the wheels tt high speed h
ddngetuus.The spinning tirc couw
orefieat and explode.This couu
cause seioui injuies. Don't spin the
wheels at nore than 56 kt tlh (35
nph), ond don't allot!' anlone to
sta d behi d a wheel when pushing
I Winter Driving
. Carry emergency gear. including tlre
chains. window scraper. flares, a snall
shovel,jumper cables, and a small bag
. Ask a Mazda dealer !o pedorm the
following precautions.
. Have the proper ratio of dntifreeze in
. Inspecl rhe battery and irs cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
. Use only cold-wea$er engine oil
(page 8 16).
. Inspect ihe ignition systen for damage
and loose conneclions.
. Use washerfluid made wiih
antifreeze-but don t use engine
coolanl antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8 27).
. Donl use the parking brake if il might
freeze. Insiead. shifr to P wirh an
automatic transaxle and to I orR with
a manual iransaxle. Block the rear
AcaurroN
Too much rocking nay cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and lire
damage.
4-9
Page 121 of 290
Driving Your Mazda
I Wa.ning[ndicato. Light Locations
Bmke System Wming Light
2
3ChrreingSrnem Wm'nB Lighr
Eneine Oil lrssuR wm'nC tighr
5
6
1DooFAjarwam'ns tisht
8Anddk Bnre Syscm (ABS) wding Lishr
9supplmrrl R$Fainl Sysl.n wming Lieht
Headlight High Beam Indicator Lieh!
O/D OFF Ind'caLor L ghr
Cruise Set Indicator Light:
,some moders. 5-21
Page 128 of 290
Driving Your Mazda
I Charging System warning
LigbtAc.turroN
Don't drive with a loose or broken
altemator belt. The engine could
overheat because thisbelt aiso drives
I Ensine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This waming light indicates low
oil pressure.
t;]
ergineThis waming light indicates a
maifunction of the allemalor or of the
cnargrng sys€m.
Ifthe ligbt comes on while driving:
1 . Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right of way.
2. Tum off the engine. Inspect the
alternator drive belt for looseness and
3. Ifit's OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consull an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
If the lightcomes on while driving:
1 . Drive to the side of ihe road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Tum off the engine and insp€ct the
engine oil level (page 8-16). If il's
low, add oil.
3. Check the lighr.
lf the light remains on even after you
add oil, have yourvebicle towed to lhe
nearest service station or to ar
Authoriz€d Mazda Dealer.
5-28
Page 129 of 290
Driving Your Mazda
AclurroN
Don't run the engine if oil pressure is
low.I! could result in extensive
I Low Fuel Warning Lisht
This warning light in the fuel gauge
signals that the fuel tank will soon be
Celfuel as soon as possible.
I Check Engine Light*
Ifthis lightcomes on while driving. the
vehicle Inay have a problem. It is
imporiant to nole the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
The checkengine light may come on in
the fbllowing cases:
. Tbe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching emply.
. The engine's electrical system has a
problem.
. The emission control systemhas a
. The firel filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease you! speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
"su...oa"r,. 5-29