4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
•Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
•If you get stuck, shift to L or S and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front
wheels.
•For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the front
wheels.If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from D to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
J76Y.book Page 7 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
5-1
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving
................................................................... 5- 2
Ignition Switch ........................................................................ 5- 2
Starting the Engine .................................................................. 5- 3
Brake System ........................................................................... 5- 4
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5- 8
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-12
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-12
Traction Control System (TCS) ............................................... 5-16
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-18
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-18
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
........................................ 5-22
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-22
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-30
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-31
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-31
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-32
Fog Lights ................................................................................ 5-32
Daytime Running Lights ......................................................... 5-33
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-33
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-36
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-36
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-37
J76Y.book Page 1 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque. When the TCS detects
driving wheel slippage, it lowers engine
torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Traction Control System
(TCS)
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
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 the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tires chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
NOTE
•In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
J76Y.book Page 16 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
TCS OFF Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
It goes off when the engine is started. It
also comes on when you switch off the
traction control system or when the
system has a malfunction.
TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
NOTE
After starting the engine on very cold
days, the TCS OFF indicator will
remain on and TCS will not operate
until the engine is warm.
NOTE
•When TCS is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS will activate. Depressing
the accelerator will not increase
engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult.When this
happen, turn off the TCS.
•If the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition switch is turned
on.
•Leaving the TCS on will provide the
best traction.
J76Y.book Page 17 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
TCS OFF Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
It goes off when the engine is started. It
also comes on when you switch off the
traction control system or when the
system has a malfunction.
Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
Light-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights are on. If the hold indicator light flashes, the
transaxle has an electrical problem.
Continuing to drive your Mazda in this
condition could cause damage to your
transaxle. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
•In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
CAUTION
NOTE
After starting the engine on very cold
days, the TCS OFF indicator will
remain on and TCS will not operate
until the engine is warm.
J76Y.book Page 29 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
9-12
Customer Information
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
WARNING
J76Y.book Page 12 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM
11-6
Index
Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F
T
Traction Control System (TCS) ....... 5-16
TCS indicator light
................... 5-16
TCS OFF indicator light
........... 5-17
TCS OFF switch
....................... 5-17
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-10
Trip Meter
........................................ 5-19
Trunk Lid
......................................... 3-10
Trunk Light
...................................... 3-11
Trunk Release Handle
...................... 3-11
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
....... 5-32
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................. 6-34
Vehicle Information Labels
............. 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................ 5-22
ABS
.......................................... 5-27
Air bag system
.......................... 5-27
Brake system
............................ 5-24
Charging system
....................... 5-25
Check engine
............................ 5-26
Door-ajar
................................... 5-28
Engine oil pressure
................... 5-26
Low fuel
.................................... 5-28
Low washer fluid level
............. 5-28
Seat belt
.................................... 5-28
Warranty
............................................ 9-8
Washer Fluid
.................................... 8-19
Weights
............................................ 10-5
Wheel Replacement
......................... 8-27
Windows
Power windows
........................ 3-13
Windshield Washer
.......................... 5-35
Windshield Wipers
.......................... 5-34
Blades replacement
................... 8-21
W
Winter Driving ................................... 4-8
J76Y.book Page 6 Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:04 PM