2002 MAZDA MODEL 626 ABS

2-9
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Seat Belt Systems
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the way
when not in use.
The driver’s seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the front passenger ’s seat and rear lap/shoulder belt retractors operate in two
modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic locking mode.
Seat Belt Precautions
Not Wearing Seat Belts:Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown
out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same
collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat
belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during
an accident before they are used again.
Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn ’t
available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt,
which could break them or cause other serious injury or death. Don ’t wear twisted
seat belts.
WARNING
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
• Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don ’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don’ t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
• If you get stuck, shift to 1 (L) or 2 (S)
and accelerate slowly. Don ’t spin the
front wheels.
• For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the front
wheels. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever back and forth from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don
’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph) , and
don ’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
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.





Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel’ s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don ’t
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
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
ABS:The ABS 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 ABS as a
substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
WARNING
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5-7
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





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.





Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
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.
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
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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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5-28
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
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8-23
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull until the tabs are free of the metal
support. 3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don’ t let the wiper arm fall on it.
Push
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
Tabs pull out
Metal support
•
Don ’t bend the stiffeners. You need
to use them again.
• If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade’ s wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don’ t use the driver ’s side metal
stiffeners on the passenger ’s side, or
vice versa.
• Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was
in the old blade rubber.
Stiffeners
CAUTION
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8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse older of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
Tabs
Battery
Battery-Related Lead Materials:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Spilled Battery Fluid:
Spilled battery fluid is dangerous.
Battery fluid contains SULFURIC
ACID which could cause serious
injuries, if it gets in your eyes or on
your skin. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water for 15 minutes or wash your
skin thoroughly and get medical
attention. Be careful not to get battery
fluid on yourself.
Battery-Related Explosion:
Flames and sparks near open battery
cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas,
produced during normal battery
operation, could ignite and cause the
battery to explode. An exploding
battery can cause serious burns and
injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from
open battery cells.
Children and Batteries:
Allowing children to play near
batteries is dangerous. Battery fluid
could cause serious injuries if it gets
in the eyes or on the skin. Always
keep batteries out of the reach of
children.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 24 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM