Page 81 of 250

5-1
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ................................................................... 5- 2
Ignition Switch ........................................................................ 5- 2
Starting the Engine .................................................................. 5- 3
Brake System ........................................................................... 5- 4
Manual Transaxle Operation ................................................... 5- 8
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5- 9
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-12
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ............................................... 5-16
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-19
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-19
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps ........................................ 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-23
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-31
Switches and Controls ................................................................. 5-32
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-32
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-33
Daytime Running Lights ......................................................... 5-33
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-34
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-35
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-36
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-36
J94S.book Page 1 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 104 of 250
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Check Engine Light 5-27
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-28
ABS Warning Light 5-28
Air Bag System Warning Light 5-28
Immobilizer System Warning/Security Indicator Light 5-29
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-29
Rear Window Defroster Indicator Light 5-29
O/D OFF Indicator Light 5-30
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-30
TCS OFF Indicator Light 5-30
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5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Immobilizer System Warning/
Security Indicator Light
Immobilizer system warning light
When the key is in the ignition switch,
this light serves as the immobilizer system
warning light.
If the immobilizer system is working
properly, the light will come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON or
START position. The light will go out
when confirmation by the immobilizer
system is completed.
If the light flashes rapidly, fails to come
on, or comes on and stays on, it indicates
a system malfunction. If any of these
occur, contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
Security indicator light
When there is no key in the ignition
switch, and the theft-deterrent system has
been armed, the light will flash once every
3 seconds. This indicates that the system
is working properly.
Headlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
• The high-beam headlights are on.
• The turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
Rear Window Defroster
Indicator Light
This light comes on when the rear
window defroster is on.
J94S.book Page 29 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid. In the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will be activated until
the lever is released.
If the washer doesn ’t work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-20). If it ’s OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The rear defroster clears frost, fog, and
thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Push the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster; the indicator light will
come on.
Push the switch again to turn it off.
Rear Window Defroster
Don
’t use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, brush it off before using the
defroster.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 35 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 118 of 250

6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Climate Control System
Operating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowling grille to improve the system
efficiency.
Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
Outside/Recirculated Air
Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
can be used temporarily when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.
Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a
month to keep internal parts lubricated.
Check the Refrigerant before
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The optional air conditioner is filled with
R134a, a refrigerant that will not damage
the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Operating Tips
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6-10
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
1. Set the mode selector switch to the position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
Dehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector switch to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector switch to the outside air position (indicator light off).
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner.
Foggy Windshield:Using the position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position will cause the outside of the
glass to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Set the temperature
control to the hot or warm position
when using the position.
NOTE
• For maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the
extreme hot position and the fan
control dial to position 4.
• If warm air is desired at the floor,
set the mode selector switch to the
position.
• In the or position, the
outside air is automatically selected.
The air intake selector switch
cannot be changed to the
recirculated air position.
WARNING
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6-11
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Audio System
Rear Window Antenna
The rear window antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
Radio Reception
AM characteristics
AM signals bend around such things as
buildings or mountains and bounce off the
ionosphere. Therefore, they can reach
longer distances than FM signals. Because
of this, two stations may sometimes be
picked up on the same frequency at the
same time.
FM characteristics
An FM broadcast range is usually about
40—50 km (25 —30 miles) from the
source. Because of extra coding needed to
break the sound into two channels, stereo
FM has even less range than monaural
(non-stereo) FM.
Antenna
When washing the inside rear window,
use a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm
water, gently wiping the antenna lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
CAUTION
Operating Tips for Audio
System
Ionosphere
Station 1 Station 2
FM Station
40—50 km
(25—30 miles)
J94S.book Page 11 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
2. Lift off the air filter cover and remove the filter.
3. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a damp cloth.
4. Replace the filter.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3). Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
Air filter cover
Air filter
Wiper Blades
Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washes have been known to affect the
cleanability of windows.
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
don’t use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don ’t move the
wipers by hand.
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 22 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM