4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
Carbon Monoxide:
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Exhaust Gas in Enclosed Area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss of
consciousness or even death could occur. Don’t run the engine when inside an
enclosed area.
Idling with the Windows Closed:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed and
the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which contains
poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or even
death could occur. Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw
fresh air.
Snow Blocking the Exhaust Gas:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The exhaust
pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin. Because
exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, anyone in the cabin could be
injured or killed. Clear the snow from underneath and around your vehicle,
particularly the tail pipe, before starting the engine.
WARNING
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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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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 135 km/h (84 mph)
M3→
M2 64 km/h (40 mph)
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 16 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-13).
CAUTION
Low fuel
warning light
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 29 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The fog lights help you to see as well as to
be seen.
The headlights must be turned on to turn
on the front fog lights.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the position.
To turn the front fog lights off, rotate the
fog light switch to the OFF position or
turn the headlights off.The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Fog Lights*
NOTE
•(With auto-light control)
If the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position, the front fog lights
can be turned on when the
headlights and the exterior lights are
on.
•The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Fog light switch
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing temperatures is dangerous.
The washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don’t use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don’t resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
WARNING
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition1.book Page 48 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:51 AM
6-6
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
A/C switch*
Push the switch to turn the air conditioner
on. The indicator light on the switch will
illuminate when the fan control dial is set
at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the switch to alternate between the
and positions. The indicator
light for the selected mode will
illuminate.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air position.
Outside air position ( )
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this position for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air position ( )
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This position can be used when driving on
a dusty road or in similar conditions. It
also helps to provide quicker cooling of
the interior.
NOTE
If you want to slightly adjust the
airflow amount, set the mode selector
dial at .
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0
°C (32
°F).
*Some models.
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6-7
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the position in cold or
rainy weather will cause the windows
to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Do not use the
position in cold or rainy weather.
NOTE
•If the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
•If cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
•The air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
•In the position, air conditioning
is automatically turned on to defrost
the windshield (however, the
indicator light does not illuminate)
and the position is
automatically selected.
WARNING
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-29).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner
off.
CAUTION
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6-40
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The ignition switch must be in the ACC or
ON position.
Press the lighter in and release it. When
ready for use, it automatically pops out.
To use, open the cover.
To remove, open the cover and pull up the
ashtray.
Lighter
•Don’t touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
•Don’t hold the lighter in because it
will overheat.
•Don’t use the lighter socket for
plug-in accessories such as shavers
and coffee pots. They may damage
it or cause electrical failure. Use
only a genuine Mazda lighter or the
equivalent.
•If the lighter doesn’t pop out within
30 seconds, remove it to prevent
overheating.
CAUTION
Ashtray
Don’t use the ashtray for trash. You
might start a fire.
CAUTION
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