Page 80 of 275

3-23
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Tilt Steering Wheel
To change the angle of the steering wheel,
stop the vehicle, pull the tilt wheel release
lever under the steering column down,
adjust the wheel, then push the release
lever up to lock the column.
After adjusting, push the wheel up and
down to be certain it’s locked before
driving.
Outside Mirrors
Check the mirrors’ angles before driving.
Manual control mirror
To adjust, move the mirror’s control lever,
just inside the door.
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
WARNING
Tilt wheel release
lever
Mirrors
Convex Mirror (Passenger Side):
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder or to
check your inside mirror before
changing lanes.
WARNING
Control lever
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4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8Q94-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 1 or 2 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 1 (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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7-7
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a front
wheel, place the block both in front and
behind the tire. When blocking a rear
wheel, place the block both in front and
behind the tire.
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
•Steering becomes difficult.
•The vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
•The vehicle pulls in one direction.
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
WARNING
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
J39L_EA.book Page 7 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 185 of 275
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Removing a Flat Tire
1. Pry off the wheel cover with the
beveled end of the lug wrench.2. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don’t remove any until the tire has been
raised off the ground.
3. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
NOTE
Force the end of the wrench firmly
between wheel and cover, or removal
will be difficult.
Align the notch on the wheel cover
with the valve stem when installing it.
Damage could occur during
installation if the wheel cover is not
properly aligned.
Wheel cover
Lug wrench
CAUTION
Tire valve
NotchJacking position
J39L_EA.book Page 8 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM
Page 275 of 275

11-6
Index
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
T
Towing
Description
............................... 7-18
Emergency towing
.................... 7-18
Hook
......................................... 7-19
Recreational towing
.................. 7-20
Trailer towing
........................... 4-11
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-11
Trip Meter
........................................ 5-24
Trunk Lid
......................................... 3-11
Trunk Light
...................................... 3-12
Trunk Release Handle
...................... 3-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
....... 5-37
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................. 6-35
Vehicle Information Labels
............. 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................ 5-27
Air bag system
.......................... 5-32
Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)
........................................ 5-32
Automatic transaxle
.................. 5-33
Brake system
............................ 5-29
Charging system
....................... 5-30
Check engine
............................ 5-31
Door-ajar
................................... 5-33
Engine oil pressure
................... 5-31
Front seat belt pretensioner
system
....................................... 5-32
Low fuel
.................................... 5-33
Low washer fluid level
............. 5-33
Seat belt
.................................... 5-33
Warranty
............................................ 9-8
Washer Fluid
.................................... 8-18
Weights
............................................ 10-6
W
Wheel Replacement ......................... 8-27
Windows
Power windows
......................... 3-14
Windshield Washer
.......................... 5-39
Windshield Wipers
........................... 5-39
Blades replacement
................... 8-20
Winter Driving
................................... 4-8
J39L_EA.book Page 6 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM