4-18
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-15).
Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious
accident. Use lower gears (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use
lower gears to reduce speed.
WARNING
J16L_EA.book Page 18 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
4-19
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks.
Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
J16L_EA.book Page 19 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
7-5
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
To remove the spare tire
1. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
2. For side-spoiler equipped vehicles,
remove the fasteners on both sides of
the spoiler cap by turning them
counterclockwise.
Pull the spoiler cap out and to the left. To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
•Don’t exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
•Avoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don’t drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire’s
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire’s, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm
(1 in).
•Don’t use a tire chain on this tire
because it won’t fit properly.
•Don’t use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
•Do not tow a trailer while using this
tire.
•Use only one temporary spare tire
on your vehicle at the same time.CAUTION
NOTE
•Install the side spoiler cap in reverse
order of removal.
•After installing the side spoiler cap,
make sure it is securely attached.
Fastener
Spoiler cap
J16L_EA.book Page 5 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
8-3
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
•Repeated short-distance driving
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Driving with extended use of brakes
•Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
•Driving on rough or muddy roads
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
•Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
•Towing a trailer
Scheduled Maintenance
NOTE
After the described period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
J16L_EA.book Page 3 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Schedule 2
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air cleaner elements cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R
: Replace L
: Lubricate
*
1According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not void your
emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at the
recommended time or kilometrage (mileage) period to ensure long-term reliability.
*
2If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark plugs every 96,000
km(60,000 miles) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
d) Towing a trailer Maintenance Interval
(Number of months or
kilometers (miles),
whichever comes first)Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Engine oilPuerto RicoReplace every 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or 3 months
OthersRRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filterRRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belts II
PCV valve*
1I
Hoses and tubes for emission (Puerto Rico)I
Spark plugs (Platinum
tipped type)USAReplace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
Others*
2Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Air filterPuerto RicoI R I R
OthersIR I
Fuel lines and hoses*
1I I
Cooling systemII
Engine coolantReplace at first 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000 km (30,000 miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Function of all lightsIIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connectionsII
Brake fluidRR
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakes I I
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkagesII
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball jointsII
Driveshaft dust bootsII
Bolts and nuts on chassis and bodyIIII
Exhaust system heat shieldsII
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Refrigerant amountIIII
Compressor operationIIII
Cabin air filter (if equipped)Replace once a year or every 20,000 km (12,000 miles)
J16L_EA.book Page 5 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
11-3
Index
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
D
Dashboard Illumination ................... 5-22
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-33
Defroster
Rear window
............................. 5-36
Dimensions
...................................... 10-5
Door Locks
......................................... 3-8
Driving In Flooded Area
.................. 4-10
Driving Tips
....................................... 4-7
Automatic transaxle
.................. 5-11
Break-in period
........................... 4-7
Driving in flooded area
............. 4-10
Hazardous driving
....................... 4-8
Money-saving suggestions
.......... 4-7
Rocking the vehicle
.................... 4-8
Trailer towing
........................... 4-12
Winter driving
............................. 4-9
E
Easy Closure .................................... 3-12
Emergency Starting
.......................... 7-17
Flooded engine
.......................... 7-17
Jump-starting
............................ 7-17
Push-starting
............................. 7-19
Emergency Towing
.......................... 7-20
Emission Control System
................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant
...................................... 8-11
Exhaust gas
................................. 4-5
Hood release
............................. 3-24
Oil
............................................... 8-9
Overheating
............................... 7-15
Starting
........................................ 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview
........ 8-8
Engine Coolant
Overheating
............................... 7-15
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
............................................... 5-21
E
Exhaust Gas ........................................4-5
Exterior Care
....................................8-40
Eyeglass Holder
................................6-48
F
Flasher
Hazard warning
.........................5-37
Headlights
.................................5-32
Flat Tire
..............................................7-3
Changing
.....................................7-8
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Fluids
Classification
.............................10-4
Owner maintenance
.....................8-6
Fog Lights
........................................5-34
Foot Brake
..........................................5-4
Front Console
...................................6-49
Front seats
..........................................2-3
Fuel
Filler lid and cap
.......................3-22
Gauge
........................................5-22
Requirements
..............................4-2
Tank capacity
............................10-5
Fuses
.................................................8-33
Panel description
.......................8-35
Replacement
..............................8-33
G
Gauges ..............................................5-19
Glove Box
........................................6-49
J16L_EA.book Page 3 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
11-6
Index
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
T
Inflation pressure ...................... 8-23
Replacement
............................. 8-25
Rotation
.................................... 8-24
Snow tires
................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage
.......... 7-3
Specifications
........................... 10-6
Tire chains
................................ 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading
system (UTQGS)
...................... 9-13
Tool
.................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description
............................... 7-20
Emergency towing
.................... 7-20
Recreational towing
.................. 7-21
Trailer towing
........................... 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS)
....... 5-16
Indicator light
........................... 5-17
Switch
....................................... 5-17
Warning light
............................ 5-17
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-12
Trip Meter
........................................ 5-20
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
....... 5-33
U
Under Seat Tray ............................... 6-49
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................. 6-41
Vehicle Information Labels
............. 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................ 5-23
ABS
.......................................... 5-27
Air bag system
.......................... 5-28
Brake system
............................ 5-25
W
Charging system ....................... 5-26
Check engine
............................. 5-27
Door-ajar
................................... 5-29
Engine oil pressure
.................... 5-26
Front seat belt pretensioner
system
....................................... 5-28
Immobilizer system
................... 5-29
Low fuel
.................................... 5-28
Seat belt
..................................... 5-28
TCS
........................................... 5-29
Warranty
............................................. 9-8
Washer Fluid
.................................... 8-16
Weights
............................................ 10-5
Wheel Replacement
......................... 8-26
Windows
Power windows
......................... 3-19
Rear quarter windows
............... 3-22
Windshield Washer
.......................... 5-35
Windshield Wipers
........................... 5-35
Blades replacement
................... 8-18
Winter Driving
................................... 4-9
J16L_EA.book Page 6 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM