2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 fuel

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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?
•
Is the seat adjusted properly?
•
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 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
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4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Driving Tips
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
•
Don’t race the engine.
•
Don’t maintain one constant speed for
long.
•
Don’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
•
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
•
Avoid full-throttle starts.How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
•
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
•
Avo i d f a s t s t a r t s .
•
Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
•
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
•
Slow down on rough roads.
•
Keep the tires properly inflated.
•
Don’t carry unnecessary weight.
•
Don’t rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
•
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
•
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
•
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Break-In PeriodMoney-Saving Suggestions
Coasting:Turning off the engine to coast down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control. Any loss of steering or
braking control could cause an
accident. Never turn off the engine
and coast down a hill.
WARNING
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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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 5-27).
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 5-27).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when the
driver’s 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.
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
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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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Shifting
Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5*)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
Shifting down
(M5*→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indicator will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (page 5-14).
NOTE
•
When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed (page 5-14).
•
In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
•
Gears may not be shifted from M1
to M2 right after shifting the lever
from D to M. Wait a few seconds
and then shift up to M2.
•
When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
(Black-out meter)

When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
1 Speedometer ..............................................................................................................5-24
2 Odometer and Trip Meter ..........................................................................................5-24
3 Tachometer ................................................................................................................5-25
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........................................................................5-25
5 Fuel Gauge................................................................................................................ 5-26
6 Instrument Cluster Dimmer Select Button (Black-out meter)...................................5-26
Meters and Gauges
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5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.

Odometer and Trip Meter
The display mode can be changed
between trip meter A and trip meter B by
pressing the selector while they are
displayed. The selected mode will be
displayed.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter
Odometer
Odometer Trip meter A
Press the selector
Press the selector Trip meter B
NOTE
(Standard meter)

The odometer and trip meter can be
displayed as follows even when the
ignition switch is in the ACC or LOCK
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
or position to see the display.
•
Displays for 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the ACC
or LOCK position from the ON
position.
•
Displays for 10 minutes after any
door is opened.
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.

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-
12).
CAUTION
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5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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 low
fuel warning light illuminates or when the
needle is near E, refuel as soon as possible.

Dashboard Illumination
When the headlight switch is in the or
position, rotate the thumb-wheel to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard lights.

Instrument Cluster Dimmer
Select Button (Black-out meter)
The instrument cluster dimmer select
button is operable when the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
Adjusting the instrument cluster
illumination intensity (With exterior lights off)*
When the exterior lights are off (headlight
switch is in the OFF position), the
instrument cluster illumination can be
adjusted to one of five levels by
successively pressing the instrument
cluster dimmer select button.
* This function applies only to some
black-out meter equipped vehicles.
Canceling the instrument cluster
illumination dimmer (With exterior lights on)
When the exterior lights are on (headlight
switch is in the or position), the
instrument cluster illumination dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads, or
in other situations when the instrument
cluster's visibility is reduced due to glare
from surrounding brightness, the
instrument cluster dimmer select button
increases the illumination intensity.
Press the button to increase the intensity
of the instrument cluster illumination.
Press the button again to return to the
previous illumination intensity.
NOTE
Black-out meter
When the instrument cluster dimmer is
canceled, the instrument cluster
illumination intensity will not change
by rotating the thumb wheel.
Low fuel
warning light
Bright
Dim
Instrument cluster
dimmer select button
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