5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold (up to 10 seconds at a
time) until the engine starts.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for about 10 seconds.
Foot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not in P or N.
Don ’t try the starter for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine stalls or
fails to start, wait 10 seconds before
trying again. Otherwise, you may
damage the starter and drain the
battery.
NOTE
• In extremely cold weather, below
−18 °C (0 °F), or after the vehicle has
stood idle several days, let the
engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.
• Whether cold or warm, the engine
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
CAUTION
Brake System
Driving with the Engine Off:Continuing to drive when the engine
is stalled or turned off is dangerous.
Braking will require more effort, and
the brake ’s power-assist could be
depleted if you pump the brake. This
will cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don ’t continue
driving when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long distances
is dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 4 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed the following speeds in the
2 position.
1 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum power in
hard-pulling situations, or for climbing
and descending very steep grades.
Do not exceed the following speeds in the
1 position.
Shift-Lock System
For your safety, the automatic transaxle
has a shift-lock, which prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
Shifting from N or P:It ’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
2.0-liter engine 116 km/h (72 mph)
2.5-liter engine 104 km/h (65 mph)
2.0-liter engine 63 km/h (39 mph)
2.5-liter engine 60 km/h (38 mph)
WARNING
NOTE
• When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park, the
ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in P.
J94S.book Page 10 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
11-2
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Index
A
Accessory Socket ............................. 6-38
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories
...................................... 9-10
Air Bag Systems
.............................. 2-25
Air Filter
.......................................... 8-21
Antenna
............................................ 6-11
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
........ 5-6
Warning light
.............................. 5-7
Appearance Care
.............................. 8-40
Audio System
................................... 6-11
Audio set
................................... 6-19
Operating tips for
audio system
............................. 6-11
Safety certification
.................... 6-36
Automatic Transaxle Driving tips
............................... 5-12
Fluid
.......................................... 8-18
Overdrive
.................................. 5-11
Shift-lock system
...................... 5-10
Transaxle ranges
......................... 5-9
B
Battery Emergency starting
................... 7-12
Maintenance
............................. 8-24
Specifications
........................... 10-4
Beeps Ignition key reminder
............... 5-31
Lights-on reminder
................... 5-31
Before Starting the Engine
................. 4-6
After getting in
........................... 4-6
Before getting in
......................... 4-6
Body Lubrication
............................. 8-21
Brake/Clutch Fluid
.......................................... 8-15
B
BrakesAnti-lock brake system (ABS)
.... 5-6
Foot brake
................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator
...................... 5-7
Parking brake
.............................. 5-5
Warning light
.............................. 5-5
Break-In Period
.................................. 4-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 8-29
C
Capacities ......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide
.............................. 4-5
Catalytic Converter
............................ 4-4
Cell Phones
...................................... 9-11
Center Console
................................. 6-43
Center Pocket
................................... 6-42
Child Restraint Child restraint precautions
........ 2-18
Installing child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-21
Child Safety Lock for Rear Door
....... 3-5
Climate Control System
..................... 6-2
Gas specifications
..................... 10-6
Courtesy Light
.................................. 6-38
Cruise Control
.................................. 5-13
Cup Holders
..................................... 6-40
Customer Assistance
.......................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-22
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-33
Defroster Rear window
............................. 5-35
Dimensions
....................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-3
Driving In Flooded Area
.................. 4-10
J94S.book Page 2 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM