Black plate (117,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transaxle Operation ..................................................... 5-8
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-16
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-20
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-23
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-28
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-28
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-37
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-38
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-38
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-39
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-40
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-40
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
í......................................... 5-42
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-42
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-43
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-44
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-44
5-1íSome models.
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page117
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (119,1)
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
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 5-28).
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.
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 5-28).
qIgnition 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.
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.
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
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal isnotpushed down all the way.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever isnotin P or N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page119
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (122,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning/Electronic brake force distributionsystem warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
Low brake fluid level warning
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-15).
2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-32).
WARNING
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. It indicates that
your brakes may not work at all or
that they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains on, after
checking that the parking brake is
fully released, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don't drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
ABS Warning Light and BrakeWarning 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.
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page122
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (123,1)
qAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)í
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.
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.
qABS Warning Lightí
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.
WARNING
ABS Warning Light and BrakeWarning 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7íSome models. Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page123
Friday, December 5 2003 8:55 AM
Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (142,1)
qFuel 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.
Low fuel
warning light
qDashboard Illumination
When the headlight switch is in theorposition, rotate the thumb-wheel to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
lights.
Dim Bright
NOTE
Black-out meter
When the instrument cluster dimmer is
canceled, the instrument cluster
illumination intensity will not change
by rotating the thumb-wheel.
qInstrument Cluster Dimmer
Select Button (Black-out meter)
The instrument cluster dimmer select
button is operable when the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
Instrument cluster
dimmer select button
Adjusting the instrument clusterillumination intensity (With exteriorlights off)
When the exterior lights are off, the
instrument cluster illumination can be
adjusted to one of five levels by
successively pressing the instrument
cluster dimmer select button.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (143,1)
Canceling the instrument clusterillumination dimmer (With exteriorlights on)
When the exterior lights are on, the
instrument cluster illumination dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster's visibility is reduced due to glare
from surrounding brightness, the
instrument cluster dimmer select button
increases the illumination intensity.
Press the button to increase the intensity
of the instrument cluster illumination.
Press the button again to return to the
previous illumination intensity.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-27
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (144,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-30
Charging System Warning Light 5-31
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-31
Check Engine Light 5-31
ABS Warning Light 5-32
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-32
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-33
5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page144
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
Black plate (145,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-33
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-33
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-33
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-34
Security Indicator Light 5-34
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-34
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-35
TCS Indicator Light 5-35
TCS OFF Indicator Light 5-35
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-36
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-36
Light-On Indicator Light 5-36
Turn-Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-29
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K