Page 55 of 244

3-15
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Engine-off power window operation
The power window can be operated about
40 seconds after the ignition switch is
turned from the ON position to the ACC,
LOCK position or key out of ignition with
all doors closed. If any front door is
opened, the power window will be
inoperable.
Power Window Lock Switch
With the lock switch in the unlocked
position, all power windows on each door
can be operated.
With the lock switch in the locked
position, only the driver’s side power
window can be operated.
Unintentional Window Operation:
Unintentional window operation is
dangerous. A person’s hands, head,
or neck could be caught by the
window and result in serious injury.
Unless a passenger needs to operate a
window, keep the power window lock
switch in the locked position.
Unlock position
Lock position
WARNING
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap
Fuel Spray:
Fuel spray is dangerous. Fuel can
burn skin and eyes and cause illness
when ingested. Fuel spray is released
when there is pressure in the fuel
tank and the fuel cap is removed too
quickly. When removing the fuel cap,
loosen the cap slightly and wait for
any hissing to stop. Then remove it.
Fuel Vapor:
Fuel vapor is dangerous. It could be
ignited by sparks or flames causing
serious burns and injuries. Before
refueling, stop the engine, and always
keep sparks and flames away from the
filler neck.
Always use only a genuine Mazda fuel
cap or an approved equivalent,
available at Authorized Mazda
Dealers. The wrong cap can result in a
serious malfunction of the fuel and
emission control systems. It may also
cause the check engine light in the
instrument cluster to illuminate.
WARNING
CAUTION
J76Y.book Page 15 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
Page 56 of 244
3-16
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Fuel-Filler Lid
To open, push the remote fuel-filler lid
release.
Fuel-Filler Cap
To remove the filler cap, turn it
counterclockwise.
To replace the filler cap, turn it clockwise
until it clicks.
Remote
fuel-filler
lid release
Open
Close
Make sure the fuel-filler cap is
tightened securely. The check engine
light comes on when the cap isn’t
tightened securely. If the light remains
on (even after you have tightened the
cap securely, driven, and restarted the
engine several times), it may indicate a
different problem. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
J76Y.book Page 16 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
Page 69 of 244
4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirror(s),
and outside lights are clean.
•Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•Check all gauges.
•Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels
should be inspected daily, weekly, or at
refueling, depending on the fluid. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J76Y.book Page 5 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
Page 73 of 244

4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don’t use chains on the rear tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit.
Installing the chains
1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain
bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile). •Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
•Chains may affect handling.
•Don’t go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer’s
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
•Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
•Avoid locked-wheel braking.
•Don’t use chains on the temporary
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
•Don’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
CAUTION
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
J76Y.book Page 9 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
Page 76 of 244

5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Starting and Driving
Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-22).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-22).
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.
Ignition Switch
Removing the Key:
It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P.
WARNING
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
J76Y.book Page 2 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
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5-5
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
handle up and press the button. Lower the
handle to the release position while
holding in the button.
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/
Electronic brake force distribution
system 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.
Low brake fluid level warning
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.
NOTE
The drum-in disc parking brake system
in your vehicle needs to be bedded by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer whenever
the parking brake shoes or drums are
changed, or there is a reduction in
parking brake performance.
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Page 96 of 244
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-24
Charging System Warning Light 5-25
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-26
Check Engine Light 5-26
ABS Warning Light 5-27
Air Bag System Warning Light 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-28
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
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Page 98 of 244

5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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/
Electronic brake force distribution
system 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.
Low brake fluid level warning
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.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-27).
J76Y.book Page 24 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM