Black plate (112,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces 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. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
When driving in water, mud, sand, or
similar hazard:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don't hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don't pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the front
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces, use sand, rock salt,
chains, carpeting, or other nonslip
material under the front wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
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.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
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During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4Between 44 and 86 km/h
(27 and 53 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M4→M3Between 25 and 63 km/h
(15 and 39 mph), depending on
how much the accelerator pedal
is released.
M3 or M2→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)
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.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 177 km/h (109 mph)
M5→M3 69 km/h (42 mph)
M4→M3 69 km/h (42 mph)
M4→M2 45 km/h (27 mph)
M3→M2 45 km/h (27 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
(2.3-liter engine)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
(3.0-liter engine)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
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The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:
lThe power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Red zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
qEngine 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.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-14).
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-25
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Black plate (156,1)
Fog Lightsí
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the front fog lights.
OFF
Fog light switch
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the
or OFF position.
NOTE
The fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
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.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
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Black plate (163,1)
7. Firmly press and release the“learn”or
“smart”button. (The name and color of
the button may vary by manufacturer.)
NOTE
There are 30 seconds in which to
initiate step 8.
8. Return to the vehicle and firmlypress,
hold for two seconds and releasethe
programmed HomeLink button. Repeat
the“press/hold/release”sequence a
second time, and, depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or
other rolling code equipped device),
repeat this sequence a third time to
complete the programming process.
HomeLink should now activate your
rolling code equipped device.
NOTE
To program the remaining two
HomeLink buttons, begin with
“Programming”- step 2. Do not repeat
step 1.
For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink at www.homelink.com or1-
800-355-3515.
qGate operator/Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to“time-out”(or quit)
after several seconds of transmission -
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian
law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed to“time-out”in the same
manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having
difficulties programming a gate operator
by using the“Programming”procedures
(regardless of where you live),replace
“Programming HomeLink”step 3with
the following:
NOTE
If programming a garage door opener or
gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the“cycling”process to
prevent possible overheating.
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink
button while youpress and release -
every two seconds(“cycle”) your hand-
held transmitter until the frequency signal
has successfully been accepted by
HomeLink. (The indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly.)
Proceed with“Programming”step 4 to
complete.
qOperating the HomeLink System
Press the programmed HomeLink button
to operate a programmed device. The
code will continue being transmitted for a
maximum of 20 seconds.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-47
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WARNING
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using theposition 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.
Rear window defroster switch
When using the rear window defroster
switch, refer Rear Window Defroster
(page 5-42).
qHeating
1. Set the mode selector dial to theposition.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn
on the air conditioner.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
lIf 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.
lThe 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).
qCooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to theposition.
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.
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-25).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner off.
6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K
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CAUTION
lDon't touch the metal part of the
lighter, you may burn yourself.
lDon't hold the lighter in because it
will overheat.
lDon'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.
lIf the lighter doesn't pop out within
30 seconds, remove it to prevent
overheating.
Ashtray
CAUTION
Don't use the ashtray for trash. You
might start a fire.
To use, open the cover.
To remove, open the cover and pull up the
ashtray.
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
6-49
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7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Changing a Flat Tire ................................................................. 7-8
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-14
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-14
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-16
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-16
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-17
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-19
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-20
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-20
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-21
7-1
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