Page 73 of 250

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
Carbon Monoxide: Engine exhaust is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur. Don’t run the engine when inside an
enclosed area.
Idling with the Windows Closed:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw
fresh air.
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle before
starting the engine.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 5 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 76 of 250

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
J94S.book Page 8 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 92 of 250

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
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 123 of 250

6-7
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Mode selector switch
Press the mode selector switch to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
Air conditioner switch
Press the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. An indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan switch is on.
Press the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.Air intake selector switch
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
The switch should be kept in the outside
air position under normal conditions.
Press the switch to alternate between the
two positions. The indicator light
illuminates when the recirculated air
position is selected.
Outside air position
This position is automatically selected
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position.
Use it for normal ventilation and heating.
The indicator light is out when the outside
air position is selected.
Recirculated air position
This position recirculates air within the
vehicle. Don
’t use the recirculated air
position for long periods when the vehicle
is stopped.
The indicator light is on when the
recirculated air position is selected.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 ° C (32 °F).
J94S.book Page 7 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 124 of 250

6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Heating
1. Set the mode selector switch to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
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.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
The Recirculated Air Position: Using the recirculated air position in
cold weather will cause the glass to
fog up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Do not use the recirculated
air position in cold weather.
WARNINGNOTE
• If the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector switch to the
position.
• If cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector switch at the
position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
• The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
• In the position, the outside air
is automatically selected.
J94S.book Page 8 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 125 of 250

6-9
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
Ventilation
1. Set the mode selector switch to the
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.
Windshield Defrosting and
Defogging
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-21).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
NOTE
• When maximum cooling is desired,
set the temperature control dial to
the extreme cold position and set
the air intake selector switch to the
recirculated air position, then set the
fan control dial to the position 4.
• If warmer air is desired at floor
level, set the mode selector switch
at the position and adjust the
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
• The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 9 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
Page 155 of 250

6-39
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Front accessory socket
The front accessory socket is in the center
panel. To use, open the cover.
The front accessory socket can be used for
a lighter.
If a lighter is needed, one can be
purchased from your Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
After you have used the socket for plug-in
accessories, the socket may become
unsuitable for the lighter. Before using the
lighter, have the socket checked by your
Authorized Mazda Dealer.Rear accessory socketThe rear accessory socket is in the center
console box. To use, open the cover.
When placing an electrical device (e.g.
cellular phone) in the tray which is
connected with the rear accessory socket,
pass the plug cord through the slot in the
cap.
• If you use a lighter, overheating
may occur when the lighter doesn ’t
pop out within 30 seconds.
• Don ’t use a lighter in the rear
accessory socket.
CAUTION
OPEN
CLOSE
OPEN
CLOSE
Cap slot, closed
Cap slot, opend
J94S.book Page 39 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM