WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works.If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have
the respective system inspected immediately.
Check engine
Illuminates briefly to ensure the
system is functional. If it comes on
after the engine is started, one of
the engine’s emission control
systems may be malfunctioning. The
light may illuminate without a driveability concern being noted and will
not require towing.
Light turns on (without blinking):
Temporary malfunctions may cause your light to illuminate. Examples
are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the fuel cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the light
CHECK
ENGINE
Instrument Cluster
12
should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is
required.
If the light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
NOTE:The
CHECK
ENGINElight will illuminate if vehicle refueling is conducted
with the engine running.
WARNING: Never refuel vehicle with the engine running.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity. WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components,
possibly causing a fire.
Check gage
Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high, the engine oil
pressure is low or the fuel gauge is
at or near empty. Refer to Engine
coolant temperature gauge, Engine oil pressure gauge orFuel gauge
in this chapter for more information.
Brake system warning
To confirm the brake system
warning light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
(alternatively for some vehicles
when the ignition is moved from the ON position to START position, the
light will momentarily illuminate prior to reaching the START position).
It also illuminates if the parking brake is engaged. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate as described, seek service immediately.
Illumination after the parking brake is released indicates low brake fluid
CHECK
GAGE
!
BRAKE
Instrument Cluster
13
Passenger Air bag Deactivation switch warning light
Illuminates to warn that the
passenger air bag is deactivated,
refer toPassenger Air Bag ON/OFF
Switch in theSeating and Safety
chapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly.
Check fuel cap
Illuminates when the fuel cap is not
installed correctly. Check the fuel
cap for proper installation. When
the fuel filler cap is properly
re-installed, the light(s) will turn off
after a period of normal driving. Continuing to operate the vehicle with
the check fuel cap light on, or a mis-installed fuel cap can activate the
Check Engine warning light.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer to Fuel filler capin theMaintenance and
specifications chapter.
Speed control
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated.
CHECK FUELCAP
SPEED
CONT
Instrument Cluster
15
Engine oil pressure gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. At
normal operating temperature, the
needle will be in the normal range
(the area between the “L” and “H”);
if the needle goes below the
normal range, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and
switch off the engine
immediately.Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to Engine
oil in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter). If the oil level is
correct, have your vehicle checked by your authorized Mazda dealership.
Battery voltage gauge
Indicates battery voltage.
NOTE: If the pointer moves and
stays outside the normal operating
range (as indicated by arrows), have
the vehicle’s electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank. The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of fuel
that can be added will be less than
the advertised capacity due to the
reserve fuel.
NOTE: The FUEL DOOR icon and arrow indicates which side of the
vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
H
L
L
H
Instrument Cluster
19
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
• Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without turning the key to 5 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
• Note: If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not
illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note: Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
1
2
34
5
C
012
3
4
5
6
RPMx1000
ABS!
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
CHECK FUEL CAP
E FH
H
H
P
RN D 2 1THEFT
SPEED
CONT
4WD
HIGH 4WD
LOW
O/D
OFFL
L
10MPH
20 50
60
70
30 40
80
90
km/h
0 0 0
101
00
1
20
1
0 0 0 0 0 040 60
80
100
120
140
160180
20
DOOR
AJAR
CHECK
GAGE
Driving
150
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a “metal-to-metal,” “continuous grinding” or
“continuous squeal” sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by an authorized Mazda
dealership.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
This vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake system.
NOTE:The ABS performs a self-check after you start the engine and
begin to drive away.
A brief mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal. If
a malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will come on. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized Mazda dealership.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
WARNING: The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce stopping
distance. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to stop.
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Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the “Four Wheeling” supplement in
your owner’s portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to the driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
• Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
• GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
• GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
• GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
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