2003 MAZDA MODEL MPV warning

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
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
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
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 is in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•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 parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake 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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4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
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.
•Don’t tow a trailer.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.
•Avoid fast starts.
•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. 8R21-EA-02G
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
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 2 or 3 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 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.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
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
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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
•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 8-9).
•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 8-16).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P and 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), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
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.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don’t use chains on the rear tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit.
Installing the chains
1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain
bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile). •Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
•Chains may affect handling.
•Don’t go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer’s
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
•Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
•Avoid locked-wheel braking.
•Don’t use chains on the temporary
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
•Don’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
CAUTION
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Overloading
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
WARNING
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4-14
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Trailer Hitch
Use only a hitch ball recommended by the trailer manufacturer that conforms to the gross
trailer weight requirement.
When not towing a trailer, remove the trailer hitch (if detachable) to reduce the possibility
of damage as a result of the vehicle being rear-ended.
When the trailer load is more than 907 kg (2,000 lb), use a frame-mounted weight-
distributing hitch.
Tow Loads:
Attempting to tow loads greater than those specified is dangerous as it may cause
serious handling and performance problems that could result in personal injury or
vehicle damage, or both. Always keep tow loads within specified limits in the Trailer
To w i n g - L o a d Ta b l e .
Trailer Loading:
Loading the trailer with more weight in the rear than in the front is dangerous. Doing
so could cause you to lose control. The trailer tongue load must be 10%-15% of the
total trailer load (sum of the weights of the trailer and cargo). Try to load the trailer
with the weight about 60% toward the front and 40% toward the rear.
Determining Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load:
Attempting to tow loads without determining the total trailer weight and tongue load is
dangerous. Trailer sway from crosswinds, rough roads or other causes could result in
loss of control and a serious accident. Always have the total trailer weight and tongue
load determined prior to departure.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be determined by weighing the trailer on
platform scales at a highway weight station or a trucking company.
WARNING
CAUTION
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