2002 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE warning

4. Insert a tool (or screw driver)
into the access hole to override
the brake-shift interlock. Apply
the brake and shift into Neutral
while holding down the override
tab.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working. Failure to check the brakelights and
subsequent use of the brakes may result in a rear-end collision.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your
vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized Mazda dealership.
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Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an
adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift
smoothness.NOTE:It is normal for your transaxle to shift firmly during
the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive
strategy has been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained
by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new
battery is installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy.
Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of
operation.
Your automatic overdrive transaxle
provides fully automatic operation in
either D (Overdrive) or with the
O/D OFF switch depressed. Driving
with the gearshift lever in D
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the
engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
Understanding gearshift positions
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This locks the
transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your
vehicle.
OFF/ON
R D 2 1ODO
R D 2 1ODO
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R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. You should always come
to a complete stop before shifting
into and out of R (Reverse).
WARNING: Make sure the
rearward path of the vehicle is
unobstructed before moving
the vehicle in reverse.
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in the N
(Neutral) position, the vehicle can
be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
Overdrive Ð column mounted gearshift with O/D off switch
The Overdrive position with the O/D
OFF switchnotdepressed is the
normal driving position for this
automatic overdrive transaxle. When
your vehicle cruises at a constant
speed for any length of time, this
fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy.
Overdrive may not be appropriate
for certain terrains. If the transaxle
shifts back and forth between third
and fourth gears while you are
driving hilly roads or if your vehicle
requires additional power for climbing hills, press the O/D OFF switch.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode.
R D 2 1ODO
R D 2 1ODO
R D 2 1ODO
OFF/ON
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1 (First)
Use 1 (First) for when added engine
braking is desired when descending
steep hills.
The automatic transaxle will shift to
the proper gear to ascend any grade
without any need to shift to 1
(First).
To avoid damage to the engine and/or transaxle do not go faster
than 56 km/h (35 mph) when in this gear. You can upshift from 1
(First) to overdrive at any time.
WARNING: When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off
the ignition whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your
vehicle unattended while it is running. Never leave children in
an unattended vehicle. If you do not take these precautions,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
Manual transaxle operation (if equipped)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle have a starter interrupt
interlock that prevents cranking of the engine unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a manual transaxle, you must:
1. Put the gearshift lever in the
neutral position.
R D 2 1ODO
1
24R35
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144

2. Set the parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
4. Turn the ignition to position 1
(LOCK) to shut the engine off
and remove the ignition key.
WARNING: Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set
the parking brake fully.
1
24R35
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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4X4) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
4x4 system general information
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in
this chapter.
Your vehicle is equipped with a 4x4 system. This 4x4 system can use all
four wheels to power the vehicle. This helps increase traction, enabling
you to drive your vehicle over terrain and road conditions not normally
traveled by two-wheel drive vehicles.
Power is always supplied to the front wheels and to the rear wheels
through the transaxle and Rotary Blade Coupling (RBC) unit that allows
you to select a four-wheel drive mode best suited for your current
driving conditions.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the Power Take-Off
Unit and rear axle refer to theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
Operating modes of the 4x4 system
The 4x4 system functions in two modes:
²The 4x4 AUTO mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
delivered to the front axle at all
times, and to the rear axle as
required for increased traction.
This is appropriate for normal
on-road operating conditions, such as dry road surfaces, wet
pavement, snow and gravel.
²The 4x4 ON mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles at all times. It is
only intended for severe or
off-road driving conditions, such
as deep snow and ice (where no
dry or wet pavement remains uncovered) and shallow sand or mud.
²The vehicle should not be operated in the 4x4 ON mode on dry
or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive noise,
increase tire wear and may damage driveline components. The
4x4 ON mode is intended for use only on consistently slippery
or loose surfaces.
LOCK
LOCK
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148

²If your vehicle is equipped with this 4x4 system, a spare tire of
a different diameter than the road tires should never be used.
Such a tire could result in damage to driveline components and
make the vehicle difficult to control.
WARNING: Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles.
4x4 system indicator lights
The 4x4 mode indicator light illuminates only under the following
conditions. If the indicator light illuminates when driving in the 4x4
AUTO mode, contact your Mazda dealer as soon as possible.
The indicator light illuminates when the 4x4 ON mode is engaged.
Shifting between 4x4 Auto and ON modes
Press the four-wheel drive control to
apply power to both axles. When
you activate the control, the
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
When you press the control again,
4x4 AUTO is activated and, the indicator light will turn off.
Either shift can be done at a stop or while driving at any speed.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4x4 vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
LOCK
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149

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your
vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized Mazda dealership.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transaxle may occur.
WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
²In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid ªover-drivingº your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking. Use all
available road surface to return the vehicle to a safe direction of
travel.
²In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
²If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or barking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
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