2004 MAZDA MODEL MPV wheel

4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
To w i n g
Your Mazda was designed and built primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
If you must tow a trailer, follow these instructions because driver and passenger safety
depends on proper equipment and safe driving habits. Towing a trailer will affect handling,
braking, durability, performance, and economy.
Never overload vehicle or trailer. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer if you need further
details.

Weight Limits
TTW and GCWR
The total trailer weight (TTW), gross combined weight rating (GCWR), gross axle
weight rating (GAWR), trailer load, and trailer tongue load must be within the
prescribed limits.
•The total trailer weight (TTW) is the sum of the weights of the trailer load (trailer
weight plus cargo), trailer hitch, vehicle passengers, and vehicle load. Never allow
the total trailer weight (TTW) to exceed specifications in the Trailer Towing-Load
Ta b l e .
•The maximum GCWR is the combined weight of the trailer and load plus the
towing vehicle (including trailer hitch, vehicle passengers, and load). It must not
exceed specifications in the load table.
GAWR and GVWR
Don’t exceed front and rear GAWR (gross axle weight rating) and GVWR (gross vehicle
weight rating). If you do, vehicle handling, braking, and performance will be affected.
These values are also on the Motor Vehicle Safety Certification Label posted on the
driver’s door.
High-altitude operation
In a high-altitude operating environment, a gasoline engine loses power at a rate of 3% to
4% per 304 m (1,000 ft) of elevation. In these conditions, a reduction in gross vehicle
weight and gross combined weight is recommended.
Trailer Towing
Don’t tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km (600 miles) of your new Mazda. If you do,
you may damage the engine, transaxle, differential, wheel bearings, and other power
train components.
CAUTION
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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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5-7
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

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
*Some models.
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5-8
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

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.
•When the ABS warning light
remains illuminated, the power
sliding doors cannot be opened
electrically. Refer to "Power Sliding
Doors" (page 3-13).
*Some models.
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5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

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 under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-9).
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.
NOTE
When shifting the automatic transaxle
in extremely cold temperature, the
shift pattern indicator will respond
more slowly than under normal
conditions.
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Only 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.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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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.
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