3-4
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Locking, Unlocking with Key
Either front door can be locked or
unlocked with a key.
Turn the key toward the front to unlock,
toward the back to lock.
Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Button
To lock any door from the inside, push its
door-lock button.
To unlock, pull it out. To lock any door with the door-lock
button from the outside, push its door-
lock button and close the door.
Power Door Locks
Locking, unlocking with door-lock switch
All doors lock automatically when DOOR
LOCK is pushed. They all unlock when
the unmarked part of the door-lock switch
is pushed.
Unlock
Lock
UnlockLock
NOTE
When locking the doors this way, be
careful not to leave the key inside the
vehicle.
Lock
DOOR
LOCK
Lock Unlock
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4-1
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ...................................... 4- 2
Fuel Requirements ................................................................... 4- 2
Emission Control System ........................................................ 4- 4
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ....................................... 4- 5
Before Starting the Engine ......................................................... 4- 6
Before Getting In ..................................................................... 4- 6
After Getting In ....................................................................... 4- 6
Driving Tips ................................................................................. 4- 7
Break-In Period ....................................................................... 4- 7
Money-Saving Suggestions ..................................................... 4- 7
Hazardous Driving ................................................................... 4- 8
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................. 4- 8
Winter Driving ......................................................................... 4- 9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-10
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
J94S.book Page 1 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Tr a i l e r To w i n gOverloading
Vehicle Load Weight:The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 11 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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
J94S.book Page 6 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM
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
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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
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
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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