2004 MAZDA MODEL 6 HATCHBACK tires

Black plate (11,1)
Trunk Lid (Sedan) ............................................................................................. page 3-18
High-mount Brake Light ................................................................................... page 8-31
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-16
Rear Window Defroster ..................................................................................... page 5-42
Power Windows ................................................................................................. page 3-22
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-27
Brake Lights ...................................................................................................... page 8-31
Rear Turn Signal Light ...................................................................................... page 8-31
Reverse Lights ................................................................................................... page 8-31
License Plate Lights ........................................................................................... page 8-31
Taillight .............................................................................................................. page 8-31
Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-26
Windshield Wiper Blades .................................................................................. page 8-21
Front Turn Signal Light/Parking Light .............................................................. page 8-31
Rear Door Child Safety Locks ............................................................................. page 3-9
Fuel-filler Lid .................................................................................................... page 3-24
Keys ..................................................................................................................... page 3-2
Outside Mirrors ................................................................................................. page 3-34
Front Side-marker Lights ................................................................................... page 8-31
Headlights .......................................................................................................... page 8-31
Foglights ............................................................................................................ page 8-31
Moonroofí........................................................................................................ page 3-27
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
1-5íSome models. Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page11
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

Black plate (13,1)
Liftgate (Wagon) ................................................................................................ page 3-12
High-mount Brake Light ................................................................................... page 8-31
Antenna ............................................................................................................. page 6-16
Rear Window Defroster ..................................................................................... page 5-42
Power Windows ................................................................................................. page 3-22
Tires ................................................................................................................... page 8-27
Brake Lights ...................................................................................................... page 8-31
Rear Turn Signal Light ...................................................................................... page 8-31
Reverse Lights ................................................................................................... page 8-31
License Plate Lights ........................................................................................... page 8-31
Taillight .............................................................................................................. page 8-31
Hood .................................................................................................................. page 3-26
Windshield Wiper Blades .................................................................................. page 8-21
Front Turn Signal Light/Parking Light .............................................................. page 8-31
Rear Door Child Safety Locks ............................................................................. page 3-9
Fuel-filler Lid .................................................................................................... page 3-24
Door and Keys ..................................................................................................... page 3-2
Outside Mirrors ................................................................................................. page 3-34
Front Side-marker Lights ................................................................................... page 8-31
Headlights .......................................................................................................... page 8-31
Foglights ............................................................................................................ page 8-31
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Exterior Overview
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

Black plate (110,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

Black plate (111,1)
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

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
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page112
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

Black plate (113,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, 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:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with antifreeze
—but don't use engine coolant
antifreeze for washer fluid (page 8-18).
lDon'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.
qSnow Tires
WARNING
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
qTire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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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
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Form No.8T12-EA-03K

Black plate (124,1)
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.
qBrake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Driving with Worn Disc Pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Manual Transaxle
Operation
qManual Transaxle Shift Pattern
Neutral position
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.
WARNING
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.
5-8
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8T12-EA-03K_Edition1 Page124
Friday, December 5 2003 8:55 AM
Form No.8T12-EA-03K