Page 6 of 248
1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Dashboard Overview
Hood release handle
Climate control systemCup holder
Glove box
Shift lever
Parking brake
Audio system
Passenger-side air bag
Hazard warning flasher switch
Fog lights switch Lighting control/Turn signals Instrument cluster
Driver-side air bag
Wiper and washer lever
Ignition switch Ashtray
Center console
Power window
switches
Cruise control switches
Creuise main switch(page 2-16)
(page 5-17)
(page 5-29)
(page 5-13)
(page 5-30) (page 5-31)
(page 5-13)
(page 5-34)
(page 6-10)
(page 5-9)
(page 6-39) (page 3-9)
(page 3-10)
(page 5-2)
(page 6-2) (page 5-5)
(page 6-38) (page 6-38) (page 6-39)
(page 2-16)
J07L(02MY).book Page 2 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 8 of 248
1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Exterior Overview
Door and keys
Outside mirrors
Side-marker lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Tires
Windshield wiper blades
Washer fluid
Hood
Front-turn signal lights /
Parking lights Rear-turn signal lights
Brake lights / Taillights
Power windowsAntenna
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate
lights
Reverse lights
Convertible top
(page 3-11)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 5-33)
(page 3-2)
(page 8-27)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35) (page 3-15)
(page 6-10)
(page 3-17)
(page 8-24)
(page 8-22)
(page 3-10)
(page 8-34) (page 8-32) (page 8-34) (page 3-31)(page 3-9)
J07L(02MY).book Page 4 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 52 of 248

3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•To help prevent burglary or vandalism
and to ensure that the passenger
compartment stays dry, close the top
securely and lock all doors when
leaving the vehicle.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the top.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
temperature is below 5 °C (41 ° F) ; this
will damage the top material.
• Don
’t lower the top when it ’s wet. If
the top dries while folded, it will
deteriorate and shrink.
• Lowering the top while it
’s wet can
also cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
wind is strong; the wind could damage
the top.
Lowering the Convertible Top
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. Remove all objects in the top storage area. 5. Push the unlock buttons and fully
release the top latches.
6. Lift up on the front section of the top to release it from the windshield header.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Objects in the Storage Area:
Putting heavy or sharp objects in the
top storage area is dangerous.
During a sudden stop or collision,
they can become projectiles that
might hit and injure passengers.
Don’t place heavy or sharp objects in
the top storage area.
WARNING
Unlock button
Top latch
Windshield header
J07L(02MY).book Page 18 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 54 of 248

3-20
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Raising the Convertible Top
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. Undo the fasteners and straps.
5. Remove the top covering and store it properly in the trunk.
6. Unlock the top latches and open them fully.
7. Hold the top lift handle and pull the top up and forward until it ’s against the
windshield header. 8. After securely hooking the top latches
onto the windshield header, push each
latch up with the palm of your hand
until the lock buttons click and the
latches are locked.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Windshield header
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 20 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
Page 57 of 248

3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•When removing the hardtop, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside when
driving with the hardtop removed.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the hardtop.
• Don
’t remove or install the hardtop
when the wind is strong; the wind
could damage the hardtop.
• When removing the hardtop, make sure
the operation is performed by 2
persons.
• Before removing the hardtop, lower the
antenna.
• Removing the hardtop while it
’s wet
can cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
Removing 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. Push the unlock buttons and fully
release the top latches.
5. Push the unlock buttons and fully release the side latches.
6. Disconnect the rear window defroster coupler.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Unlock button
Top latch
Unlock button
Side latch
Rear window defroster coupler
J07L(02MY).book Page 23 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM
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 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