2004 MAZDA MODEL 6 warning

3-25
Knowing Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Steering Wheel and Mirrors

Steering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, pull down the lock
release lever under the steering
column.
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, push the lever up to lock the
column.
3. Push the wheel up and down to be
certain it’s locked before driving.

Outside Mirrors
Check the mirrors’ angles before driving.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC or
ON position.
To a d j u s t :
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the mirror.
2. Depress the perimeter switch in the
appropriate direction.
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
WARNING
Lock release lever
Mirrors
Convex Mirror (Passenger Side):Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder or to
check your inside mirror before
changing lanes.
WARNING
Perimeter switchSelector switch
Outside mirror
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3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by placing the selector switch in
the middle position.
Mirror defroster
If your vehicle has mirror defrosters, turn
them on by turning the ignition on and
pushing the rear window defroster switch
(page 5-41).

Rearview Mirror
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition is in the ON
position.
Press the OFF button ( ) to cancel the
automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will go off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON button ( ). The
indicator light will illuminate.
Blocked View:Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes. Don’t stack
things higher than the seatbacks.
NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror,
perform the adjustment with the day/
night lever in the day position.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
OFF button
ON button
Indicator light
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4-3
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
Emission Control System
Parking Over Things That Burn:Parking over or near anything inflammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even
with the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust
system gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or
death. Never park over or near anything inflammable.
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
•
USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
•
Don’t drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
•
Don’t coast with the ignition switch turned off.
•
Don’t descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
•
Don’t operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
•
Don’t tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
•
Don’t try to push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
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 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 before
starting the engine.
WARNING
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4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Before Starting the Engine
•
Be sure the windows, outside mirror(s),
and outside lights are clean.
•
Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•
Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•
If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•
Are all doors closed and locked?
•
Is the seat adjusted properly?
•
Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•
Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•
Do all the lights work?
•
Check all gauges.
•
Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•
Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Driving Tips
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.
•
Don’t race the engine.
•
Don’t maintain one constant speed for
long.
•
Don’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
•
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
•
Avoid full-throttle starts.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.
•
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
•
Avo i d f a s t s t a r t s .
•
Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
•
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
•
Slow down on rough roads.
•
Keep the tires properly inflated.
•
Don’t carry unnecessary weight.
•
Don’t rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
•
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
•
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
•
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Break-In PeriodMoney-Saving Suggestions
Coasting:Turning off the engine to coast down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control. Any loss of steering or
braking control could cause an
accident. Never turn off the engine
and coast down a hill.
WARNING
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4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
When driving in water, mud, sand, or
similar hazard:
•
Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
•
Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
•
If 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.
•
If you get stuck, shift to 1 or 2 and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front
wheels.
•
For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the front
wheels.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.
Hazardous Driving
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.
WARNING
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
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
•
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a 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.
•
Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-10).
•
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 8-19).
•
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.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
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.
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
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.

Tire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Winter Driving
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.
WARNING
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
CAUTION
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