2003 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA park assist

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
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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2
position.
1 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum power in
hard-pulling situations, or for climbing
and descending very steep grades.
Do not exceed 59 km/h (36 mph) in the 1
position.

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
Shifting from N or P:
It ’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
WARNING
Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which 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. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
NOTE
• When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
transmission cannot be shifted from
P.
• If the brake is pumped with the shift
lever in P, a chattering near the shift
lever may be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
WARNING
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7-11
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in park (P), a manual
transmission in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. 4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don ’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine. Then turn the ignition
switch to the ON position without
starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools. If this doesn ’t lower the
temperature, stop the engine and let it
cool.
5. Visually inspect the alternator/water pump drive belt for looseness and
breakage and all cooling hose
connections for leaks. If the belt is
broken or coolant is leaking, call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer for
assistance.
6. If the drive belt is OK, the engine is cool, and no coolant leaks are obvious,
inspect the coolant level. Carefully add
coolant as required (page 8-15).
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
Cooling system cap
Engine coolant
reservoir
J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book Page 11 Monday, February 3, 2003 1:16 PM

11-2
Form No. 8R09-EA-02G
Index
A
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories
...................................... 9-10
Air Bag Systems
.............................. 2-20
Air Filter
.......................................... 8-23
Antenna
............................................ 6-10
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
........ 5-7
Warning light
.............................. 5-7
Appearance Care
.............................. 8-41
Ashtray
............................................. 6-38
Audio System
................................... 6-10
Audio set
................................... 6-17
Operating tips for
audio system
............................. 6-10
Safety certification
.................... 6-36
Automatic Transmission Driving tips
............................... 5-13
Fluid
.......................................... 8-20
Overdrive
.................................. 5-12
Shift-lock override
.................... 5-12
Shift-lock system
...................... 5-11
Transmission ranges
................. 5-10
B
Battery Emergency starting
................... 7-13
Maintenance
............................. 8-26
Specifications
........................... 10-4
Beeps Ignition key reminder
............... 5-29
Lights-on reminder
................... 5-29
Seat belt warning beep
.............. 5-29
Before Starting the Engine
................. 4-5
After getting in
........................... 4-5
Before getting in
......................... 4-5
Body Lubrication
............................. 8-23
Brake Fluid
.......................................... 8-17
B
BrakesAnti-lock brake system (ABS)
....5-7
Foot brake
................................... 5-4
Pad wear indicator
...................... 5-8
Parking brake
.............................. 5-5
Warning light
.............................. 5-6
Break-In Period
.................................. 4-6
Bulb Replacement
............................ 8-31
C
Capacities ......................................... 10-5
Carbon Monoxide
.............................. 4-4
Catalytic Converter
............................ 4-3
Cell Phones
...................................... 9-11
Center Console
................................. 6-40
Child Restraint Child restraint precautions
........ 2-13
LATCH child-restraint
systems
...................................... 2-18
Cigarette Lighter
.............................. 6-38
Climate Control System
.....................6-2
Gas specification
....................... 10-5
Clutch Fluid
.......................................... 8-18
Convertible Top
............................... 3-17
Cruise Control
.................................. 5-14
Cup Holder
....................................... 6-39
Customer Assistance
.......................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-21
Daytime Running Lights
.................. 5-32
Defroster Rear window
............................. 5-34
Detachable Hardtop
.......................... 3-22
Dimensions
....................................... 10-5
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