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
J94S.book Page 11 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
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. Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than five
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 12 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-15).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
If the driver ’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake Warning Light:Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don ’t drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 25 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
6-27
Interior Comfort
Audio System
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
* Noise reduction system manufactured
under license from Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Ejecting the cassette tape
Press the cassette tape eject button
( ) to eject the cassette tape.
Fast forward/Rewind
Press the fast-forward button ( ) to
fast-forward.
Press the rewind button ( ) to rewind.
To stop this operation and play the
cassette tape, press the button again.
Reversing
Press the program button ( ) to
change cassette tape-playing direction.
Automatic program control (APC)
APC is used to find the beginning of
either the next program or the one being
played.Press the APC button ( ) to the
beginning of the next selection.
Press the APC button ( ) to the
beginning of the one being played. To
stop this operation and play the cassette
tape, press the button again.
If APC detects 15 seconds of blank space
it will automatically advance the tape to
the next selection.
Repeat play
This operation makes it possible to listen
to a selection repeatedly.
Press the repeat button ( ) during
play. The current selection playing will be
repeated ("RPT" will be displayed).
Press the repeat button ( ) once again
to cancel repeat play.
NOTE
The cassette tape can be ejected when
the ignition switch is in the OFF
position.
NOTE
When the cassette tape ends during
fast forward or rewind, it automatically
stops and starts playing.
NOTE
When the cassette tape ends, the unit
automatically reverses play.
NOTE
APC may not operate properly if
•
A tape was recorded at a low level.
• A tape has long, silent intervals.
• A tape is a live recording.
• A tape has very short intervals of
less than 3 seconds.
NOTE
RPT may not operate properly if
•A tape was recorded at a low level.
• A tape has long, silent intervals.
• A tape is a live recording.
• A tape has very short intervals of
less than 3 seconds.
J94S.book Page 27 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, you experience power loss,
or you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment: Don ’t go near the front
of the vehicle. Stop the engine. Then
turn the ignition switch to the ON
position without starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping: Open the hood and idle the
engine until it cools. If this doesn ’t
lower the temperature, stop the engine
and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it’ s low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator, and water
pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking, stop the engine
and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
Cooling system cap Engine coolant reservoir
2.0-liter engine
J94S.book Page 10 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Scale B
When the engine has not been running,
and the outside temperature is above 10°C
(50 °F), the level should be between the
bottom hole on the dipstick and the
bottom of the crosshatched area on the
dipstick.
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, make sure the fluid level doesn ’t
pass the crosshatched area on the dipstick. 2.5-liter engine
Fluid hot scale A
When the vehicle has been driven and the
fluid is at normal operating temperature,
about 65
°C (150 °F), the level must be
between Full and Low.
Fluid cold scale B
When the engine has not been running
and the outside temperature is about 20 °C
(70 °F), the level must be between Full and
Low.
•
Use scale B only as a reference.
• If outside temperature is lower than
about 10 °C (50 °F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
• If the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect
the level only after stopping the
engine and allowing the fluid to
cool for 30 minutes.
NOTE
Inspect both sides of the dipstick for
accurate reading.
CAUTION
•Use the cold scale only as a
reference.
• If outside temperature is lower than
about 20 °C (70 °F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
• If the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect
the level only after stopping the
engine and allowing the fluid to
cool for 30 minutes.
A
B
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 19 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM