Page 6 of 270
1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Dashboard Overview
Ashtray Tilt wheel release lever
Climate control system
Lighter
Glove box
Audio system
Passenger-side air bag
Hazard warning flasher switch
Fog light switch
Power window switches
Power window lock switch Light control / Turn signals Instrument cluster Wiper and washer lever
Driver-side air bag
Cruise control switches
Ignition switch
Center console
Hood release handle
Cup holder
Shift lever Parking brake handle
Rear window defroster switch
(page 5-35)
(page 2-35)
(page 5-20)
(page 5-33)
(page 5-34)
(page 3-18)
(page 3-24)
(page 5-2)
(page 5-13)
(page 6-38)(page 5-38)
(page 6-11)
(page 2-35)
(page 6-39)
(page 6-39)
(page 6-37)
(page 5-37)
(page 6-2) (page 3-15)
(page 3-16)(page 5-5)
(page 5-8)
(page 6-38)
J39L(02MY).book Page 2 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 8 of 270
1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Exterior Overview
Door and keys
Outside mirrors
Side-marker lights
Headlights Fuel-filler lid Child safety lock
Tires
Reverse lights
Windshield wiper blades
Washer fluid
Hood
Front turn signal lights /
Parking lights Fog lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights / Taillights
Power windowsAntenna
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate
lights
Sunroof
(page 5-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-11)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-22)
(page 8-20)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-35)(page 3-8)
(page 8-26)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-19)
(page 3-15)
(page 3-2)
(page 3-24)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-32)(page 3-17) (page 8-37)
(page 6-10)(page 8-37)
(page 8-35)
J39L(02MY).book Page 4 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 9 of 270
1-5
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Door and keys Outside mirrors
Side-marker lights
Headlights Fuel-filler lid Child safety lock
Tires
Reverse lights
Windshield wiper blades Rear windshield
wiper blade
Liftgate
Washer fluid
Hood
Front turn signal lights/
Parking lights Fog lights Rear turn signal lightsBrake lights / Taillights
Power windows
Antenna Rear window defroster
License plate
lights
Sunroof
(page 5-37)
(page 3-8)
(page 8-24)
(page 3-9)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-19)
(page 8-22)
(page 8-20)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-35)(page 3-24)
(page 8-26)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-15)
(page 6-10)
(page 3-2)
(page 8-35)
(page 8-32) (page 3-17) (page 8-37)
(page 3-18)
J39L(02MY).book Page 5 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 87 of 270
4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q36-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
J39L(02MY).book Page 5 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 89 of 270

4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
•Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
•If you get stuck, shift to 1 or 2 and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front
wheels.
•For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the front
wheels.If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever back and forth from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don’t spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don’t allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
J39L(02MY).book Page 7 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 92 of 270

4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
Overloading
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
J39L(02MY).book Page 10 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 95 of 270

5-1
Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving
................................................................... 5- 2
Ignition Switch ........................................................................ 5- 2
Starting the Engine .................................................................. 5- 3
Brake System ........................................................................... 5- 4
Manual Transaxle Operation ................................................... 5- 8
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5- 9
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-13
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-13
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-20
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-20
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
........................................ 5-24
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-24
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-32
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-33
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-34
Fog Lights ................................................................................ 5-34
Daytime Running Lights ......................................................... 5-35
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-35
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (Hatchback) ........................ 5-37
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-37
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-38
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-38
J39L(02MY).book Page 1 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM
Page 97 of 270

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.
J39L(02MY).book Page 3 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM