Page 101 of 250
5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;
The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
0
Red zone 2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
10).
Normal range
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 21 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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
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
Page 105 of 250

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
Page 106 of 250

5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine. Inspect the alternator drive belt for looseness and
breakage.
3. If it ’s OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the engine oil level (page 8-11). If it ’s low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains on even after you add
oil, have your vehicle towed to the nearest
service station or to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Don
’t drive with a loose or broken
alternator belt. The engine could
overheat because this belt also drives
the water pump.
CAUTION
Don ’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 26 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 107 of 250

5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
TCS Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. It flashes when the
system regulates engine torque.
If the light stays on, take your vehicle to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The traction
control system may have a malfunction.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This warning light in the fuel gauge
signals that the fuel tank will soon be
empty.
Get fuel as soon as possible.
Low Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
This warning light reveals that little
windshield washer fluid remains. Add
fluid (page 8-20).
Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
• The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
• The engine ’s electrical system has a
problem.
• The emission control system has a
problem.
• The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
NOTE
•In addition to the TCS warning light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the traction control
system is operating properly.
• On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the traction
control system is on.
J94S.book Page 27 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 112 of 250

5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Switches and Controls
Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob on the
end of the control lever.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when any door is opened.
Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beams.
Pull it back for low.
Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Lighting Control
Lever Position OFF
Headlights Off Off OnTaillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
•
If the light switch is left on, the
lights will automatically switch off
30 seconds after turning the ignition
switch to the LOCK position or
removing the key.
The lights will automatically switch
back on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ACC or ON position.
• To prevent discharging the battery,
don ’t leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
Low beams High beams
J94S.book Page 32 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
J94S.book Page 2 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM