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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q36-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 5-24).
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 5-24).
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 transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)
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.
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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Shift-Lock System
For your safety, the automatic transaxle
has a shift-lock, which prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts to
overdrive, which improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
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 transaxle 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
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
•To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.Overdrive button
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5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
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.
Beeps
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5-33
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q36-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 On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lightsOff On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery,
don’t leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
High beams
Low beams
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6-35
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Interior Equipment
When you need a sunvisor, lower it for use
in front or swing it to the side.
Va n i t y M i r r o r s
To use the vanity mirror, lower the
sunvisor.
Illuminated Entry System
When the switch is in the DOOR position,
the interior light comes on for:
•about 30 seconds after the driver’s door
is unlocked and the ignition key is
removed.
•about 15 seconds after all doors are
closed.
•about 15 seconds after the key is
removed from the ignition.
The light also goes out when:
•the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and all doors are closed.
•the driver’s door is locked.
Sunvisors
Sunvisor
Interior Lights
NOTE
If any door is left opened, the light
goes out after about 5 minutes.
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6-39
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8Q36-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.
Cargo Securing Loops
Use the loops in the luggage compartment
to secure cargo with a rope or net. The
tensile strength of the loops is 196 N (20
kgf, 44.1 lbf). Do not apply excessive
force to the loops as it will damage them.
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
Not Securing Cargo:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous. The cargo could move or
be crushed in sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury. Make sure
the luggage is secured before driving.
WARNING
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7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Locking Lug Nuts
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock and you must use a special key to
unlock them. This key is attached to the
lug wrench and is stored with the spare
tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it in
the accompanying envelope. If you lose
your key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer’s
order form, which is with the registration
card.
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Get the key for the locking lug nut.
2. Place it on top of the nut, and be sure to
hold the key square to it. If you hold
the key at an angle, you may damage
both key and nut. Don’t use a power
impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To replace the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,
apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
Mounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
2. Mount the spare tire.
Antitheft lug nutSpecial key
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grim from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
WARNING
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7-15
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Emergency Starting
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold it there—for up to 10
seconds. If the engine starts, release the
key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without using the accelerator—for up
to 10 seconds.Jump-starting is dangerous if done
incorrectly. So follow the procedure
carefully. If you feel unsure about jump-
starting, we strongly recommend that you
have a competent service technician do
the work.
Starting a Flooded EngineJump-Starting
Battery-Related Explosion:
Flames and sparks near open battery
cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas,
produced during normal battery
operation, could ignite and cause the
battery to explode. An exploding
battery can cause serious burns and
injuries. Keep all flames, including
cigarettes, and sparks away from
open battery cells.
Low Fluid Level or Frozen Battery:
Jump-starting a frozen battery or one
with a low fluid level is dangerous. It
may rupture or explode, causing
serious injury.
Don’t jump-start a frozen battery or
one with a low fluid level.
Use only a 12 V booster system. You
can damage a 12 V starter, ignition
system, and other electrical parts
beyond repair with a 24 V power
supply (two 12 V batteries in series or
a 24 V motor generator set).
WARNING
CAUTION
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