
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, apply the brake pedal
and pull the parking brake handle
up as far as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First Gear) (manual transmission).
NOTE: The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
To release the parking brake, the
brake handle may need to be pulled
up slightly to release pressure
before pushing in the button.
Push the button on the end of
the parking brake handle and
push the handle down as far as
possible. Driving with the
parking brake applied will cause
the brakes to wear out quickly
and reduce fuel economy.
!
BRAKE
Driving
109

The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. See your authorized Mazda dealer for more
information on tire cables and other traction devices for your vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent vehicle damage.
² Avoid overloading your vehicle.
² Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed.
² Do not use cables on dry roads.
² The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and traction devices.
² Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables on your vehicle.
Consult your dealer for information on other Mazda approved methods of
traction control.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and
fire.
WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap.
Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
Maintenance and care
189

WARNING: If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the
fuel system or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision,
which may result in possible personal injury.
WARNING: Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death
if misused or mishandled.
WARNING: Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel: WARNING: Automotive fuels
can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Fuel such as
gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is
swallowed, call a physician
immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of
fuel may not be visible for
hours.
² Extinguish all smoking materials and any open flames before fueling
your vehicle.
² Always turn off the vehicle before fueling.
² Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
Maintenance and care
190

After refueling, if the ªCHECK FUEL CAPº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap
properly and reinstall it securely. The indicator should turn off after three
driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city/highway driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Mazda fuel filler cap is not used.WARNING: The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap.
Otherwise, fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING: If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive pressure or vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the
fuel system or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision,
which may result in possible personal injury.
Fuel Filter
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized Mazda dealership. Refer
to the service maintenance section for the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Mazda part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Mazda fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1, 600 km (1, 000 miles) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3, 000 km±5, 000 km (2, 000 miles-3, 000 miles).
Maintenance and care
194

²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
² Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
² Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
² Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
² Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
² Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
² Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
² Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
² Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
² Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
Maintenance and care
197

Instrument panelcleaning ...................................210
cluster ..........................................8
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................18
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................142 positioning ...............................142
storage .....................................142
Jump-starting your vehicle ......147
K
Keys .......................................61±63 key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........39
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ................204
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............49
fog lamps ...................................50
headlamps .................................49
headlamps, flash to pass ..........50
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps ...................48, 204
replacing bulbs .......200, 202±204
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Liftgate ........................................56
Lights, warning and indicator ......8 air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....10, 108
anti-theft ...................................11 brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................12
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ....................................12
fuel cap light .............................14
high beam .................................11
low coolant ................................13
low fuel ........................................9
oil pressure ...............................12
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt .................................10
service engine soon ....................8
turn signal indicator .................11
Load limits .................................124 GAWR ......................................124
GVWR ......................................124
trailer towing ..........................124
Loading instructions .................126
Locks childproof ..................................53
doors ..........................................52
Lubricant specifications ...........214
M
Manual transaxle .......................116 fluid, checking and adding ....179
reverse .....................................118
Manual transmission fluid capacities ........................212
Mirrors cleaning ...................................211
fold away ...................................19
side view mirrors (power) .......18
Moon roof ....................................47
Motorcraft parts ........................194
Index
228

ItemInformation
Required fuel Unleaded fuel only-87 octane.
Fuel tank capacity-2.0L I4 Zetec
engine 57L (15 gallons)
Fuel tank capacity-3.0L V6 Duratec
engine 61L (16 gallons)
Engine oil capacity-2.0L I4 Zetec
engine (includes filter change) 4.25L (4.5 quarts). Use SAE
5W-20 Super Premium Motor
Oil.
Engine oil capacity-3.0L V6 Duratec
engine (includes filter change) 5.2L (5.5 quarts). Use SAE
5W-20 Super Premium Motor
Oil.
Tire size and pressure Refer to the Certification Label on inside of driver's
door.
Hood release Pull handle under the instrument panel.
Coolant capacity-2.0L I4 Zetec engine
with manual transaxle
15.0L (5.3 quarts). Use
Premium Engine Coolant
Coolant capacity-3.0L V6 Duratec
engine with automatic transaxle
110.0L (10.6 quarts). Use
Premium Engine Coolant
Power steering fluid capacity Fill to line on reservoir. Use MERCONtAT F.
Manual transaxle fluid capacity
22.7L (2.85 quarts) 2WD. 2.2L
(2.32 quarts) 4x4. Use 75W-90
Special Blend
Automatic transmission fluid capacity
212.7L (13.4 quarts). Use
MERCONt AT F.3
1
Use Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Extended
Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer to Adding engine coolant,
in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
Filling station information
231