2004 MAZDA MODEL MPV steering wheel

3-34
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by moving the selector switch to
the middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
flush with the vehicle.Mirror defroster*
To turn on the mirror defrosters, turn the
ignition switch to the ON position and
push the rear window defroster switch
(page 5-38).

Rearview Mirror (With Day/
Night Function)
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Do this with the day/night lever in the day
position.
Push the lever forward for day driving.
Pull it back to reduce glare from
headlights.
Mirror switch Selector switch
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the
outside mirrors to the driving position
before you start driving.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
*Some models.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 34 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM

3-35
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 35 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM

4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
•Don’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
•Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
•Avoid full-throttle starts.
•Don’t tow a trailer.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.
•Avoid fast starts.
•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:
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.
WARNING
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
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, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front
wheels.
•For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the front wheels.
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
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
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4-18
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-15).
Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious
accident. Use lower gears (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use
lower gears to reduce speed.
WARNING
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4-19
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
If the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
If it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks.
Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
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5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Starting and Driving

Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.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 5-24).
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 5-24).

Ignition 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.
Ignition Switch
Removing the Key:
It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P.
WARNING
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
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.
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
Cruise Control*
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•Hilly terrain
•Steep inclines
•Heavy or unsteady traffic
•Slippery or winding roads
•Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
*Some models.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 14 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM