Page 59 of 248

3-25
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Installing the Detachable
Hardtop
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Unlock the top latches and the side latches on the hardtop.NOTE
Points to remember when storing the
detachable hardtop.
•Do not place the hardtop on a hard
surface, such as concrete or asphalt.
Place it on a cushioning material,
such as an old blanket.
• Be sure the top and side latches are
locked.
• Do not lean the hardtop against a
wall or stand it in an unstable way.
• Store the hardtop in a dry clean
area, and cover it with a soft
material, such as an old blanket.
Do not attempt to install the hardtop
with the top covering also installed.
Remove the top covering before
installing the hardtop, otherwise
damage will occur to the top covering.
NOTE
• Be sure to place the top latches in
the locked position.
• Make sure the convertible top is
completely lowered before
installing the hardtop. Also confirm
that the rear window defroster
coupler is disconnected.
CAUTION
Sunvisor
Sunvisor
Top latch assembly
Slide latch assembly
J07L(02MY).book Page 25 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 60 of 248
3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
5. Align the rear deck latches with the rear deck studs and set the hardtop
squarely onto the body.
6. Slide the hardtop forward while pressing down on the rear deck latches
to lock the latches, and then verify that
they are secure by attempting to lift the
rear of the hardtop. 7. Push each top latch up with the palm of
your hand until the lock buttons click
and the latches are locked.
Rear deck stud
Hardtop
Rear deck latch
Rear deck latch
Rear deck latch
• Be careful not to strike the body
with any of the protruding hardtop
latches.
• The rear defogger grid and the
defogger cord could be damaged
when removing or installing the top.
Make sure the rear defogger grid
isn
’t folded and the defogger cord
isn ’t caught between the vehicle ’s
body and the top.
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 26 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 61 of 248
3-27
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
8. Push each side latch down with the palm of your hand until the lock
buttons click and the latches are
locked.
9. Reconnect the rear window defroster coupler.
Detachable Hardtop Appearance
Care
Refer to detachable hardtop maintenance
(page 8-47) for information on detachable
hardtop appearance care.
After installation, verify that all latches
are secure. Operating the vehicle with
unlocked latches may cause hardtop
damage or loss.
Side latch
CAUTION
Rear window defroster coupler
NOTE
If the top rattles even when all latches
are secure, contact your Authorized
Mazda Dealer for inspection.
J07L(02MY).book Page 27 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 71 of 248
4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
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/
clutch 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
J07L(02MY).book Page 5 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 74 of 248

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze
—but don ’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake if it might
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.
Snow Tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 28 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver ’s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’ s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 8 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 79 of 248

5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-22).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-22).
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any door is opened. 1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. (Manual transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
J07L(02MY).book Page 3 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 104 of 248
5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
O/D OFF Indicator Light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any door is opened.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when any door is opened.
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
Beeps
J07L(02MY).book Page 28 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 149 of 248
6-39
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch
toward you.
The door has a lock, insert the key and
turn it clockwise to lock,
counterclockwise to unlock.
Center Console
To open, pull the release catch.
The center console has a lockable lid,
insert the key into the slot; then turn the
key clockwise to lock, counterclockwise
to unlock.
Storage Compartments
Open Storage Box:
Driving with a storage box open is
dangerous. To reduce the possibility
of injury in an accident or a sudden
stop, keep the storage boxes closed
when driving.
In hot weather, don
’t leave
combustible materials or objects which
will deform in extreme heat such as
lighters and glasses in the vehicle.
WARNING
CAUTION
Unlock
Lock
UnlockLock
J07L(02MY).book Page 39 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM