Page 98 of 275

5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q94-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 5-27).
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
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 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.
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.
J39L_EA.book Page 3 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 106 of 275

5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
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.
Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts to
overdrive, which improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don’t use it when:
•Going up a steep grade.
•Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
•Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transaxle will then shift through a
three-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1stSudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or 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 cause sudden engine
braking on slippery road surfaces or
at high speeds.
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
•To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
WARNING
Overdrive button
J39L_EA.book Page 11 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 109 of 275

5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
tapping the shift lever back or forward
from this 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. Move the shift lever.
Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won’t move from P with
the brake pedal depressed, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
with a screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
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
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
transaxle cannot be shifted from P.
•To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
J39L_EA.book Page 14 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 130 of 275
5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
Seat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds.
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any door is opened.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when any door is opened.
Beeps
J39L_EA.book Page 35 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 131 of 275
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Switches and Controls
Headlights
To turn on the lights, turn the knob on the
end of the control lever.
Lights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep will
sound when any door is opened.
Headlight High-Low Beams
Push the lever forward for high beams.
Pull it back for low.
Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
Lighting Control
Lever Position OFF
Headlights Off Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lightsOff On On
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery,
don’t leave the lights on while the
engine is off.
High beams
Low beams
J39L_EA.book Page 36 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 172 of 275
6-35
Interior Comfort
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Interior Equipment
When you need a sunvisor, lower it for use
in front or swing it to the side.
Va n i t y M i r r o r s
To use the vanity mirror, lower the
sunvisor.
Illuminated Entry System
When the switch is in the DOOR position,
the overhead light comes on for:
•about 30 seconds after the driver’s door
is unlocked and the ignition key is
removed.
•about 15 seconds after all doors are
closed.
•about 15 seconds after the key is
removed from the ignition.
The light also goes out when:
•the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and all doors are closed.
•the driver’s door is locked.
Sunvisors
Sunvisor
Interior Lights
NOTE
If any door is left opened, the light
goes out after about 5 minutes.
The light turns on again when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, or when any door is opened
after all doors have been closed.
J39L_EA.book Page 35 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 176 of 275

6-39
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch
toward you.
The door has a lock, insert the key and
turn it clockwise to lock,
counterclockwise to unlock.
Center Console
To open, pull the release catch.
Cargo Securing Loops
Use the loops in the luggage compartment
to secure cargo with a rope or net. The
tensile strength of the loops is 196 N (20
kgf, 44.1 lbf). Do not apply excessive
force to the loops as it will damage them.
Storage Compartments
Open Storage Boxes:
Driving with the storage boxes open is
dangerous. To reduce the possibility
of injury in an accident or a sudden
stop, keep the storage boxes closed
when driving.
In hot weather, don’t leave
combustible materials or objects which
will deform in extreme heat such as
lighters and glasses in the vehicle.
WARNING
CAUTION
Unlock
Lock
Not Securing Cargo:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous. The cargo could move or
be crushed in sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury. Make sure
the luggage is secured before driving.
WARNING
J39L_EA.book Page 39 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 187 of 275

7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Locking Lug Nuts
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock the tires and you must use a special
key to unlock them. This key is attached
to the lug wrench and is stored with the
spare tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it in
the accompanying envelope. If you lose
your key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer’s
order form, which is with the registration
card.
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Get the key for the locking lug nut.
2. Place it on top of the nut, and be sure to
hold the key square to it. If you hold
the key at an angle, you may damage
both key and nut. Don’t use a power
impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To replace the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,
apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
Mounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
2. Mount the spare tire.
Antitheft lug nutSpecial key
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
WARNING
J39L_EA.book Page 10 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM