
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
²Make sure the parking brake is
set.
²Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without
turning the key to 4 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
Note:If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light may not
illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
BRAKEO/D
OFF
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
Driving
122

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working. Failure to check the brakelights and
subsequent use of the brakes may result in a rear-end collision.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your
vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized Mazda dealership.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an
adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift
smoothness.NOTE:It is normal for your transaxle to shift firmly during
the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive
strategy has been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained
by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new
battery is installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy.
Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of
operation.
Your automatic overdrive transaxle
provides fully automatic operation in
either D (Overdrive) or with the
O/D OFF switch depressed. Driving
with the gearshift lever in D
(Overdrive) gives the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions.
For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the
engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P
(Park).
OFF/ON
R D 2 1ODO
Driving
130

For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the Power Take-Off
Unit and rear axle refer to theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
Operating modes of the 4x4 system
The 4x4 system functions in two modes:
²The 4x4 AUTO mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
delivered to the front axle at all
times, and to the rear axle as
required for increased traction.
This is appropriate for normal
on-road operating conditions, such as dry road surfaces, wet
pavement, snow and gravel.
²The 4x4 ON mode provides
four-wheel drive with full power
to both axles at all times. It is
only intended for severe or
off-road driving conditions, such
as deep snow and ice (where no
dry or wet pavement remains
uncovered) and shallow sand or mud.
²The vehicle should not be operated in the 4x4 ON mode on dry
or merely wet pavement. Doing so will produce excessive noise,
increase tire wear and may damage driveline components. The
4x4 ON mode is intended for use only on consistently slippery
or loose surfaces.
²If your vehicle is equipped with this 4x4 system, a spare tire of
a different diameter than the road tires should never be used.
Such a tire could result in damage to driveline components and
make the vehicle difficult to control.
WARNING: Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles.
4x4 system indicator lights
The 4x4 mode indicator light illuminates only under the following
conditions. If the indicator light illuminates when driving in the 4x4
AUTO mode, contact your Mazda dealer as soon as possible.
LOCK
LOCK
Driving
138

Maintenance ItemMaintenance Interval (Number of months or km (miles),
whichever comes first)
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
x 1000 Km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
(x 1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
ENGINE
Engine valve clearance (for 2.0L
engine)I
Engine timing belt (for 2.0L engine) Replace every 144,000 km (90,000 miles)
Engine oil RRRRRRRRRRRR
Engine oil (for Puerto Rico) Replace every 4,800 km (3,000 miles) (or 3 months)
Oil filter RRRRRRRRRRRR
Drive belts I I
PCV valve (for 2.0L
engine)*1 Replace every 96,000 km (60,000 miles)
PCV valve (for 3.0L
engine)*1 Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Hoses and tubes for
emission*1 I
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plugs (PLATINUM TIPPED
type)Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
FUEL SYSTEM
Air cleaner filterIRIR
Fuel filter *1 R R
Fuel lines & hoses *1 I I
COOLING SYSTEM
Cooling system I I
Engine coolant (green) Replace at first 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or
36 months; after that, every 48,000 km
(30,000 miles) or 24 months
Engine coolant (yellow) Replace at first 160,000 km (100,000 miles) or
60 months; after that, every 80,000 km
(50,000 miles) or 36 months
Engine coolant level IIIIIIIIIIII
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights IIIIIIIIIIII
Maintenance and Specifications
195

If other than Mazda authorized parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Mazda parts should be equivalent to genuine Mazda parts in
performance and durability.
WARNING: Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
WARNING: Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Informationº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................128
Fuel ............................................214
calculating fuel economy .......219
cap ...........................................218
capacity ...................................234
choosing the right fuel ...........216
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................222
detergent in fuel .....................217
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................214, 218±219
filter, specifications ................219
fuel filler door release ..............65
improving fuel economy ........219
octane rating ...................217, 236
quality ......................................217
running out of fuel .................218
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................214
Fuses ..........................................156
G
Garage door opener ....................59
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............218
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................219
Gauges .........................................15
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
tachometer ................................17
trip odometer ............................17
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................147
calculating ...............................149
definition .................................147
driving with a heavy load ......147location ....................................147
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................147
calculating .......................147, 149
definition .................................147
driving with a heavy load ......147
location ....................................147
H
Hazard flashers .........................155
Head restraints .....................80, 82
Headlamps ...................................48
aiming ........................................50
bulb specifications ....................51
daytime running lights .............48
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
replacing bulbs .........................52
turning on and off ....................48
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................44
Hood ..........................................198
I
Ignition ...............................120, 236
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................112
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................223
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................190
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................49
location of components ............10
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......169
Index
242

K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........120
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................51
cargo lamps ...............................49
daytime running light ...............48
fog lamps ...................................48
headlamps .................................48
headlamps, flash to pass ..........49
instrument panel, dimming .....49
interior lamps .....................50±51
replacing bulbs ...................51±55
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Liftgate ........................................67
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........126
Load limits .................................147
GAWR ......................................147
GVWR ......................................147
trailer towing ..........................147
Loading instructions .................149
Locks
childproof ..................................70
doors ..........................................69
Lubricant specifications ...........236
Lumbar support, seats .........80±81
M
Manual transaxle .......................134
fluid, checking and adding ....228
reverse .....................................136Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................234
Mirrors ...................................59, 61
fold away ...................................62
heated ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......61
Moon roof ....................................66
Motorcraft parts ........................219
O
Octane rating ............................217
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................203
Overdrive ...................................130
Overheating ...............................162
P
Parking .......................................136
Parking brake ............................126
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................159
Power door locks ........................69
Power point ...........................59±60
Power Seats .................................81
Power steering ..........................127
fluid, checking and adding ....224
fluid, refill capacity ................234
fluid, specifications .................236
Power Windows ...........................60
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................128
R
Radio ......................................17, 27
Radio reception .....................42±43
Index
243

W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................202
Water, Driving through .............147
Windows
power .........................................60
rear wiper/washer .....................56Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....202
checking and cleaning ..............57
liftgate reservoir
.....................202
operation
...................................56
replacing wiper blades
.............57
Wrecker towing
.........................174
Index
245