2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 steering

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
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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
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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
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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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4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
When driving in water, 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 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.
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
shuseizumi_J56J_8R29_EA_02I.book Page 7 Wednesday, October 16, 2002 9:51 AM

5-1
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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 ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-10
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-17
Traction Control System (TCS) ............................................... 5-20
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-23
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
........................................ 5-27
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-27
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-36
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-37
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-37
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-38
Fog Lights ................................................................................ 5-39
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-39
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-41
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-42
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-42
HomeLink Wireless Control System ....................................... 5-43
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5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Starting and Driving

Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position.Automatic transaxle
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, keep the shift lever in P.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
Push the key ACCON
Removing the Key:It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
LOCKShift lever
engaged in P
(park) ACCON
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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