2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 window

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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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
•
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
•
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•
Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-10).
•
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-19).
•
Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver’s door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.

Tire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
WARNING
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
CAUTION
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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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5-41
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
The rear defroster clears frost, fog, and
thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Rear Window Defroster
Manual Type
Air-Conditioning
Full-Automatic Type
Air-Conditioning
Don’t use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, brush it off before using the
defroster.
CAUTION
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6-2
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Climate Control System

Operating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.

Clearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowling grille to improve the system
efficiency.

Foggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the air
conditioner to dehumidify the air.

Outside/Recirculated Air
Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
can be used temporarily when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.

Parking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.

Not Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner at least once a
month to keep internal parts lubricated.

Check the Refrigerant before
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacement of the Cabin Air
Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
Operating Tips
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6-6
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Control Switches
Temperature control dial
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0—Fan off
1—Low speed
2—Medium low speed
3—Medium high speed
4—High speed
Manual Type
Temperature control dial Fan control dial Mode selector dial
Air intake selector
A/C SwitchRear window
defroster switch
(page 5-41)
Cold Hot
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6-10
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Dehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner.
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