4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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.•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
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
Winter Driving
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don’t use chains on the rear tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit.Installing the chains1. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).
•Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
•Chains may affect handling.
•Don’t go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer’s
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
•Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
•Avoid locked-wheel braking.
•Don’t use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire.
•Don’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the
system may not function correctly
when using tire chains.
CAUTION
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5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Starting and Driving
Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the button when the
key is at the ACC position, then turn the
key to the LOCK position.Automatic transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Ignition Switch
LOCKACCON
Button
Push the
button
Removing the Key:
It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
LOCKShift lever
engaged in P
(park) ACCON
WARNING
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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 5-31).
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 5-31).
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep sound will be heard
when the driver’s 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.
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
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.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)*
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel’s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don’t
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on ABS as a
substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
WARNING
*Some models.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
ABS Warning Light*
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you’re driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function
normally as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.Brake Assist*
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
NOTE
•When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
pedal will feel softer but the brakes
will apply more firmly. This is a
normal effect of the brake assist
operation and does not indicate an
abnormality.
•When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
clicking noise from the brake
booster may be heard. This is a
normal effect of the brake assist and
does not indicate an abnormality.
•The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle’s main braking system.
*Some models.
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5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
reduces the chance of stalling and gives
better acceleration when you need more
speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
Various Lockouts:
1 to 2 26 km/h (16 mph)
2 to 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 to 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 to 5 73 km/h (45 mph)
1 to 2 16 km/h (10 mph)
2 to 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 to 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Automatic Transaxle
Controls
Indicates that you must depress
the brake pedal to shift (The
ignition switch must be in the
ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Transaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-9).N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence.
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Only setting the shift lever to the P
position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is
dangerous. If P fails to hold, the
vehicle could move and cause an
accident. To hold the vehicle, set the
shift lever to P AND set the parking
brake.
•Shifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transaxle.
•Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transaxle.
WARNING
CAUTION
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.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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