2004 MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR tires

5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
A safety feature prevents accidental
shifting from 5 to R (reverse). The shift
lever must be put in neutral before being
shifted to R.
Manual Transaxle
Operation
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.
Neutral position
WARNING
• Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don’
t use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the
clutch will cause needless clutch
wear and damage.
• Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is
still moving may damage the
transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
CAUTION
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2
→M3
→M4)

To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once. Manually Shifting down
(M4
→M3
→M2
→M1)

To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
NOTE
• When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
• In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don
’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
• When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.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.
WARNING
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5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System*
Tire pressure sensors
•When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the
vehicle
’s tire information placard.
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle ’s handling
and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set
to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner ’s manual.
• To avoid false readings, the system
samples for a little while before
indicating a problem. As a result it
will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAUTION
*Some models.
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5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction. Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low or too
high in one or more tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-8).
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture. Replace the
punctured tire with the temporary spare
tire (page 7-6).
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. Have the
system and tires checked or perform
the appropriate repair as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Ignoring the Warning Light:
Ignoring the warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious situation
that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the
tire pressure sensors may be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 23 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
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5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

System Error Activation
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in the
following cases:
• When there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
• When a large metallic object (e.g. a
large electric household appliance or a
desk-top computer) is placed on the
right side of the rear seat, which may
block radio signals from the tire
pressure sensor to the receiver unit.
• When using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit.

A digital device such as a personal
computer.
 A current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter.
• When excess snow or ice adheres to the
vehicle, especially around the wheels.
• When the tire pressure sensor batteries
are exhausted. •
When using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed.
• When using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls.
• When using tire chains


Tires and Wheels
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure
sensor
’s unique ID signal code whenever
tires or wheels are changed, such as
changing to and from winter tires.
When having tires changed at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
Tire pressure sensor ID signal code
registration is completed when an
Authorized Mazda Dealer changes your
vehicle ’s tires.
When changing tires yourself
If you or someone else changes tires, you
or someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration.
1. After tires have been changed, turn the ignition switch to the ON position, then
turn it back to the ACC or LOCK
position.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed
to the temporary spare tire. The
warning light will flash continuously
while the temporary spare tire is being
used.
NOTE
Each tire pressure sensor has a unique
ID signal code. The signal code must
be registered with the TPMS before it
can work. The easiest way to do it is to
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
change your tire and complete ID
signal code registration.
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
2. Wait for about 15 minutes.
3. After about 15 minutes, drive the vehicle at a speed of at least 20 km/h
(12 mph) for several minutes and the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code will
be registered automatically.
Replacing tires and wheelsBe sure to have the tire pressure sensors
installed whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installation are possible.
• The tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one.
• The same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced.
• A new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven within about 15
minutes of changing tires, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning
light will flash because the sensor ID
signal code would not have been
registered. If this happens, park the
vehicle for about 15 minutes, after
which the sensor ID signal code will
register upon driving the vehicle for
several minutes.
•When replacing/repairing the tires
or wheels or both, have the work
done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, or the tire pressure sensors
may be damaged.
• The wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire pressure
sensors.
CAUTION
NOTE
•The tire pressure sensor ID signal
code must be registered when a new
tire pressure sensor is purchased.
For purchase of a tire pressure
sensor and registration of the tire
pressure sensor ID signal code,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
• When reinstalling a previously
removed tire pressure sensor to a
wheel, replace the grommet for the
tire pressure sensor.
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5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn
’t securely closed.

Low Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light*
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page 8-21).

Automatic Transaxle Warning
Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light*
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction.
If the automatic transaxle warning
light illuminates, the transaxle has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transaxle.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 38 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
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5-39
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low or too
high in one or more tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-8).
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture. Replace the
punctured tire with the temporary spare
tire (page 7-6).
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. Have the
system and tires checked or perform
the appropriate repair as soon as
possible.
Ignoring the Warning Light:
Ignoring the warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious situation
that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
WARNING
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the
tire pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed
to the temporary spare tire. The
warning light will flash continuously
while the temporary spare tire is being
used.
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 39 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
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