2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA parking brake

5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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 transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position. Automatic transmission
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, keep the shift lever in P.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
Push the key
ACC ON
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 transmission or in 1 or
R with a manual transmission.
LOCK Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
ACC
ON
WARNING
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 2 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
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 5-22).
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 5-22).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any 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 transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
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.
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.
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 3 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-5
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Parking Brake
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
brake handle fully upward.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then pull the
handle up and press the button. Lower the
handle to the release position while
holding in the button.
Driving with the Engine Off:
Continuing to drive when the engine
is stalled or turned off is dangerous.
Braking will require more effort, and
the brake
’s power-assist could be
depleted if you pump the brake. This
will cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don ’t continue
driving when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long distances
is dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
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 is
normal.
WARNING
Driving with the parking brake on will
cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
CAUTION
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 5 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-17).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-26).
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. It indicates that
your brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any time.
If this light remains on, after checking
that the parking brake is released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Don
’t drive with this light on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon as
possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Various Lockouts:

Transmission Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
Automatic Transmission
Controls
Indicates that you must depress the
brake pedal and hold in the lock-
release button to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the
lock-release button to shift.
Lock-release button

To prevent unsafe
shifting
Shift pattern
indicator
Shows shift lever
position
Overdrive button
For turning the
overdrive off or on
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift lever to the P position
without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P
fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident. To hold the
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND
set the parking brake.
•
Shifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transmission.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

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.

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is normal when the
engine oil pressure gauge needle points
halfway between L and H with the engine
running.
If the needle on the gauge doesn
’t move
after starting the engine, follow steps 1
through 3. If the engine oil pressure gauge moves to
L (low) while you are driving, drive to the
side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Set the parking brake. Then follow
steps 1 through 3.
1. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-13). If it ’s low,
add oil.
2. Start the engine.
3. If the needle still doesn ’t move, have
your vehicle checked at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Don ’t run the engine if the oil pressure
is low. It could result in extensive
engine damage.
CAUTION
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5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-17).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again. If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-26).
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light comes on while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this
light remains on, after checking that
the parking brake is released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
Don
’t drive with this light on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don ’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 25 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM