2002 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA tow

3-3
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Locking, Unlocking with Key
Either door can be locked or unlocked
with a key.
Turn the key toward the front to unlock,
toward the back to lock.

Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Button
To lock any door from the inside, push its
door-lock button.
To unlock, pull it out.
Door Locks
Unattended Children and Pets:
Leaving a child or an animal
unattended in a parked vehicle is
dangerous. In hot weather,
temperatures inside a vehicle can
become high enough to cause brain
damage or even death. Always take all
children and animals with you or
leave a responsible person with them.

Keys and Children:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous. This could
result in someone being badly injured
or even killed. They could play with
power windows or other controls, or
even make the vehicle move. Don
’t
leave the keys in your vehicle with
children.
Unlocked Doors:
Unlocked doors in a moving vehicle
are dangerous. Passengers can fall
out if a door is accidentally opened
and can more easily be thrown out in
an accident. So keep all doors locked
when driving.
NOTE
Always remove the key from the
ignition switch, close all windows, and
lock all doors when leaving your
vehicle unattended. This discourages
intruders and thieves.
WARNING
Unlock
Lock
Lock
Unlock
J07L(02MY).book Page 3 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

4-1
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ....................................... 4- 2
Fuel Requirements ................................................................... 4- 2
Emission Control System ........................................................ 4- 3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ....................................... 4- 4
Before Starting the Engine ......................................................... 4- 5
Before Getting In ..................................................................... 4- 5
After Getting In ....................................................................... 4- 5
Driving Tips ................................................................................. 4- 6
Break-In Period ....................................................................... 4- 6
Money-Saving Suggestions ..................................................... 4- 6
Hazardous Driving ................................................................... 4- 7
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................. 4- 7
Winter Driving ......................................................................... 4- 8
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4- 9
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-10
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-10
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Trailer TowingOverloading
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
WARNING
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5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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).
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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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;

The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
11).
CAUTION
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
needle is near E, refuel as soon as
possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn’ t move, get a
tow to the nearest service station or to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
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).
J07L(02MY).book Page 24 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Switches and Controls

Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob on the
end of the control lever.

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.

Headlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beams.
Pull it back for low.

Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Lighting Control
Lever Position OFF
Headlights Off Off OnTaillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights Off On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery,
don't leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
High beam
Low beam
J07L(02MY).book Page 29 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM