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4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
Carbon Monoxide: Engine exhaust is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur. Don’t run the engine when inside an
enclosed area.
Idling with the Windows Closed:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw
fresh air.
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle before
starting the engine.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 5 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside
mirror (s), and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone ’s seat belt fastened?
• Do all the lights work?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J94S.book Page 6 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Driving Tips
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
•Don ’t race the engine.
• Don ’t maintain one constant speed for
long.
• Don ’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
• Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
• Avoid full-throttle starts. How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
•
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
• Av o i d f a s t s t a r t s .
• Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3)
and have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
• Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
• Slow down on rough roads.
• Keep the tires properly inflated.
• Don ’t carry unnecessary weight.
• Don ’t rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
• Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
• Keep windows closed at high speeds.
• Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Break-In PeriodMoney-Saving Suggestions
Coasting:Turning off the engine to coast down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control. Any loss of steering or
braking control could cause an
accident. Never turn off the engine
and coast down a hill.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 7 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 91 of 250
5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts to
overdrive, which improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don ’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transaxle will then shift through a
three-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive: To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
D
1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 Without Traction
Control System
2nd
With Traction
Control System 1st, 2nd
11st
Overdrive button
D 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 Without Traction
Control System
2nd
With Traction
Control System 1st, 2nd
11st
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transaxle has an electrical
problem. Continuing to drive your
Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transaxle. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
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Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer .............................................................................................................5-20
2 Odometer and Trip Meter .........................................................................................5-20
3 Tachometer ...............................................................................................................5-21
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ........................................................................5-21
5 Fuel Gauge ................................................................................................................5-22
Meters and Gauges
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.
Odometer and Trip Meter
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector. The selected mode will be
displayed. Odometer
When this mode is selected, ODO will be
displayed.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and in to compute fuel
consumption.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter A Press the selector
Press the selector
Press the selector
Trip meter B
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Page 102 of 250
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Fuel 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.
Dashboard Illumination
When the parking lights or headlights are
on, rotate the thumb-wheel to adjust the
brightness of the dashboard lights.
Warning light
Bright
Dim
J94S.book Page 22 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 103 of 250
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Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-25
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-25
Charging System Warning Light 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-26
TCS Warning Light 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-27
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-27
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
J94S.book Page 23 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
