3-7
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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
down its door-lock button.
To unlock, push it up.
Door Locks
Unattended Children and Pets:
Leaving a child or an animal
unattended in a parked vehicle is
dangerous. In hot weather,
temperatures inside a vehicle can
become high enough to cause brain
damage or even death. Always take all
children and animals with you or
leave a responsible person with them.
Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous. This could
result in someone being badly injured
or even killed. They could play with
power windows or other controls, or
even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in your vehicle with
children.
Unlocked Doors:
Unlocked doors in a moving vehicle
are dangerous. Passengers can fall
out if a door is accidentally opened
and can more easily be thrown out in
an accident. So keep all doors locked
when driving.
NOTE
Always remove the key from the
ignition switch, close all windows, and
lock all doors when leaving your
vehicle unattended. This discourages
intruders and thieves.
WARNING
Lock Unlock
Unlock
Lock
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3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
The sunroof can be opened or closed
electrically only when the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
Tilt Operation
The rear of the sunroof can be tilted open
to provide more ventilation.
To tilt, push the tilt switch.
To close, pull the tilt switch.
Slide Operation
To open to any position, pull the slide
switch towards the rear.
To close, push the slide switch forward.
Sunshade
The sunshade can be opened and closed
by hand.
The sunshade opens automatically when
the sunroof is opened, but must be closed
by hand.
Sunroof
Extending the Head or Arms
Through the Sunroof:
Extending the head, arms, or other
parts of the body through the sunroof
is dangerous. The head or arms could
hit something while the vehicle is
moving. This could cause death or
serious injury. Don’t let passengers
stand up or extend anything through
the open sunroof while the vehicle is
moving.
Closing the Sunroof:
A closing sunroof is dangerous. The
hands, head, or even neck of a person
—especially a child— could be
caught in it as it closes, causing
serious injury or even death. Make
sure the opening is clear before
closing the sunroof.
Tilt switch
Slide switch
WARNING
NOTE
After washing your Mazda or after a
rain, wipe the water off the sunroof
before operating it.
Sunshade
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4-1
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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- 3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ....................................... 4- 4
Before Starting the Engine
......................................................... 4- 5
Before Getting In ..................................................................... 4- 5
After Getting In ....................................................................... 4- 5
Driving Tips
................................................................................. 4- 6
Break-In Period ....................................................................... 4- 6
Money-Saving Suggestions ..................................................... 4- 6
Hazardous Driving ................................................................... 4- 7
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................. 4- 7
Winter Driving ......................................................................... 4- 8
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4- 9
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-10
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-10
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Overloading
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
Trailer Towing
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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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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Don’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
2.5 liter V6 DOHC
Miller Cycle Engine V6 DOHC
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
10).
CAUTION
Low fuel
warning light
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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).
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
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 8-10). 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.
Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
•The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
•The engine’s electrical system has a
problem.
•The emission control system has a
problem.
•The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. Don’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
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