2002 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA brakes

5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Transmission Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on. D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2
position.
1 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum power in
hard-pulling situations, or for climbing
and descending very steep grades.
Do not exceed 59 km/h (36 mph) in the 1
position.
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift lever to the P position
without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P
fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident. To hold the
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND
set the parking brake.
•
Shifting into P or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transmission.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
WARNING
CAUTION
Shifting from N or P:
It
’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
WARNING
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5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transmission will then shift through a
three-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or 1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 2
or 1, depending on load weight and grade
steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.
If the overdrive-off 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.
CAUTION
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5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-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 8-17).
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 5-26).
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
If the driver’
s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
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. Inspect the alternator drive belt for looseness and
breakage.
3. If it ’s OK, the charging system has a
problem. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don ’t drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

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.

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you
’re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Don
’t drive with a loose or broken
alternator belt. The engine could
overheat because this belt also drives
the water pump.
CAUTION
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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8-3
Maintenance and Care
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
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
Scheduled Maintenance (North America)
NOTE
After the described period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
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8-4
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Schedule 1
I
: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R: Replace
L : Lubricate
*: According 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.
Maintenance Interval
Maintenance
Item Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first 6 12182430364248
× 1000 Km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
(× 1000 Miles) (7.5) (15) (22.5) (30) (37.5) (45) (52.5) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belt (tension) II
Engine oil RRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Idle speed II
Air filter RR
Fuel lines and hoses
*II
Hoses and tubes for emission
*I
Spark plugs RR
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Disc brakes II
Steering operation and linkages II
Manual transmission oil R
Rear differential oil R
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body II
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLL
Refrigerant amount (if installed) IIII
Compressor operation (if installed) IIII
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8-5
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Schedule 2
I
: Inspect: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
(Oil-permeated air filter cannot be cleaned using the air-blow method.)
R: Replace
L :Lubricate
*: According 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.
Maintenance Interval
Maintenance
Item 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 1624324048566472808896
(× 1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
Engine valve clearance I
Engine timing belt Replace every 96,000km (60,000miles)
Drive belts (tension) II
Engine oil Puerto Rico Replace every 5,000km (3,000miles) or 3 months
others RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Cooling system II
Engine coolant Replace at first 72,000km (45,000miles) or 36 months ;
after that, every 48,000km (30,000miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
Idle speed II
Air filter I
*R
I *R
Fuel lines and hoses*II
Hoses and tubes for emission*I
Spark plugs RR
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake and clutch fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil RR
Rear differential oil RR
Front suspension ball joints II
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body IIII
Exhaust system heat shields II
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
J07L(02MY).book Page 5 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM