2002 MAZDA MODEL 626 brake

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

5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one of these
methods:
• Push the OFF end of the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• (Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is off. The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque. When the TCS detects
driving wheel slippage, it lowers engine
torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
TCS and Unsafe Driving:The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don
’t rely on the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tires chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 16 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-23
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

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

5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.





Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door or trunk isn ’t securely closed.





ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If 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.





Air Bag System Warning Light
If the air bagseat belt pretensioner system
is OK, the warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes, stays
on or doesn ’t come on at all. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system
may not work in an accident.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
Self-Servicing the Air Bag Systems:Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag
could accidentally activate or become
disabled. This could cause serious
injuries. Never tamper with the
systems and always have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer perform all
servicing and repairs.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 28 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-33
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





Turn Signal
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change —until the
indicator flashes— and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released. In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Right lane change
OFF
Left lane
change Left turn
Daytime Running Lights
NOTE
The running lights go off when the
parking brake is applied.
J94S.book Page 33 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

7-5
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in reverse (R), and turn off
the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a front
wheel, place the block in front of the
tire. When blocking a rear wheel, place
the block behind the tire.
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
•Steering becomes difficult.
• The vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
• The vehicle pulls in one direction.
Jacking a Vehicle:Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by jack.
WARNING
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
J94S.book Page 5 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