1-3
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Interior Overview
Rearview mirrorSeat beltsInterior light
Sunvisors
Front seats
Side air bagsSecond-row seat
Third-row seat
Parking brakeRear climate control panel
Rear vents
(page 6-41)(page 2-25)
(page 3-32)
(page 2-3)
(page 5-5)
(page 2-47)(page 6-41)
(page 6-10)
(page 2-16)
(page 6-12)
(page 2-9)
J16L_EA.book Page 3 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Exterior Overview
Windshield wiper blades
Power windows
Hood
Front fog lights
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker light
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Doors and keys
Rear windshield
wiper blades
Liftgate
License plate
lights
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Tires
Rear window defrosterChild safety lock
Outside mirrors Brake lights/Taillights
Parking lights
Sunroof
High-mount brake light
Power sliding doors
(page 8-32)
(page 8-32)
(page 5-36)
(page 3-11)
(page 8-20)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-32)
(page 8-32)
(page 8-32)
(page 8-18)
(page 3-24)
(page 8-30)
(page 8-30)(page 3-31)
(page 8-23)
(page 3-25)
(page 3-22) (page 3-19)
(page 3-12)
(page 3-2)
(page 8-30)
(page 8-28)
J16L_EA.book Page 4 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
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 parking 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
J16L_EA.book Page 6 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
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 2 or 3 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
J16L_EA.book Page 8 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
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
J16L_EA.book Page 10 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
4-16
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.
Trailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer
as required before towing it day or night.
Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Towing Without Safety Chain:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision. Make sure the safety
chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle prior to departure.
Don’t connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and lighting systems. Have a
recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the
brake lights and turn signals each time before driving.
Hydraulic Trailer-Brake System:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury. Don’t connect a
hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle’s brake system.
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
J16L_EA.book Page 16 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM
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
5-1
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
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 ......................................................................... 5-13
Traction Control System (TCS) ............................................... 5-16
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-19
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-19
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
........................................ 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-23
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-31
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-32
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-32
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-33
Fog Lights ................................................................................ 5-34
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-34
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-36
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-36
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-37
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-37
J16L_EA.book Page 1 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM