2004 MAZDA MODEL 6 Owners Manual (in English)

5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Brake 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 distribution system 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 5-31).
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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.
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 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 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
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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 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.
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.
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.
WARNING
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5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern
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 reverse. The shift lever
must be put in neutral before being shifted
to reverse.

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
2.3-liter engine
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
Manual Transaxle
Operation
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.
Neutral position
WARNING
•
Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don’t use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. This will
avoid needless clutch wear and
damage.
•
Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to
reverse.
Shifting to reverse while the vehicle
is still moving may damage the
transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to reverse is difficult, shift
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
1 to 2 26 km/h (16 mph)
2 to 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 to 4 53 km/h (33 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 to 4 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 68 km/h (42 mph)
CAUTION
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
3.0-liter engine
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 27 km/h (17 mph)
2 to 3 48 km/h (30 mph)
3 to 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 34 km/h (21 mph)
3 to 4 52 km/h (32 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 ACC or 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. 8R29-EA-02I

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 as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
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/5-gear
* sequence.*3.0-liter engine model
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
tapping the shift lever back or forward
from this position.
Holding the Vehicle with P: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.
WARNING
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.

Manual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by tapping the
shift lever forward and back while in this
mode.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.

Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the "M" of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
In manual shift mode, the numeral for the
selected gear illuminates below the shift
position indicator.
NOTE
•
When the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position, the transaxle
cannot be shifted from P.
•
To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
NOTE
•
If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the
gear will shift to M1.
•
If you tap the shift lever back when
the vehicle is stopped and the gear
is at M1, the gear will shift to M2.
M2 is helpful for starting on
slippery surfaces.
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

Shifting
Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5*)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
Shifting down
(M5*→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
*3.0-liter engine model
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indicator will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (page 5-14).
NOTE
•
When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed (page 5-14).
•
In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
•
Gears may not be shifted from M1
to M2 right after shifting the lever
from D to M. Wait a few seconds
and then shift up to M2.
•
When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
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