2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 Owners Manual (in English)

3-25
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Steering Wheel and Mirrors

Steering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, pull down the lock
release lever under the steering
column.
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, push the lever up to lock the
column.
3. Push the wheel up and down to be
certain it’s locked before driving.

Outside Mirrors
Check the mirrors’ angles before driving.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC or
ON position.
To a d j u s t :
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the mirror.
2. Depress the perimeter switch in the
appropriate direction.
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
WARNING
Lock release lever
Mirrors
Convex Mirror (Passenger Side):Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder or to
check your inside mirror before
changing lanes.
WARNING
Perimeter switchSelector switch
Outside mirror
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 25 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by placing the selector switch in
the middle position.
Mirror defroster
If your vehicle has mirror defrosters, turn
them on by turning the ignition on and
pushing the rear window defroster switch
(page 5-41).

Rearview Mirror
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition is in the ON
position.
Press the OFF button ( ) to cancel the
automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will go off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON button ( ). The
indicator light will illuminate.
Blocked View:Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes. Don’t stack
things higher than the seatbacks.
NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror,
perform the adjustment with the day/
night lever in the day position.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
OFF button
ON button
Indicator light
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 26 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

3-27
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
NOTE
•
Do not use glass cleaner or suspend
objects on or around the light
sensor. Otherwise, light sensor
sensitivity will be affected and may
not operate normally.
•
For information regarding the 3
buttons ( , , ) on the auto-
dimming mirror, refer to HomeLink
Wireless Control System (page 5-
43).
Light sensor
Light sensor
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 27 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

3-28
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 28 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

4-1
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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
Overloading ............................................................................... 4-9
To w i n g
.......................................................................................... 4-10
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-10
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 1 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
Fuel with a lower rating could cause the emission control system to lose effectiveness. It
could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
*U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not
be covered by the Mazda warranty.
•
Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
•
Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
•
Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Fuel Requirements
Fuel Octane Rating* (Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
•
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor. The lead will
accumulate on the oxygen sensor and the catalyst inside the converter. This will result
in a malfunction of the emission control system, causing poor performance.
•
Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol by
volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any
kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
•
Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those specified
by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 2 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

4-3
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
Emission Control System
Parking Over Things That Burn:Parking over or near anything inflammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even
with the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust
system gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or
death. Never park over or near anything inflammable.
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
•
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
•
Don’t drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
•
Don’t coast with the ignition switch turned off.
•
Don’t descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
•
Don’t operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
•
Don’t tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
•
Don’t try to push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
WARNING
CAUTION
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 3 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
Carbon Monoxide:Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur. Don’t run the engine when inside an
enclosed area.
Idling with the Windows Closed:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw
fresh air.
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle before
starting the engine.
WARNING
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 4 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM