2004 MAZDA MODEL MPV warning light

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.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 8 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM

4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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 D to R.•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, 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:
•Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•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 8-18).
•Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P and block the
rear wheels.
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
Winter Driving
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4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
Overloading
Vehicle Load Weight:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver’s door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of your load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle. Be careful not to
overload your vehicle.
WARNING
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4-16
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.

Trailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer
as required before towing it day or night.

Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Towing Without Safety Chain:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision. Make sure the safety
chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle prior to departure.
Don’t connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and lighting systems. Have a
recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the
brake lights and turn signals yourself before each trip.
Hydraulic Trailer-Brake System:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury. Don’t connect a
hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle’s brake system.
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
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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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5-1
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving
..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................. 5-4
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................... 5-9
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-14
Cruise Control* ....................................................................... 5-14
Traction Control System (TCS)* ............................................. 5-18
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
............................................ 5-20
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-20
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
............................ 5-24
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-24
Beep Sounds ............................................................................ 5-33
Switches and Controls
................................................................. 5-34
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-34
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-35
Fog Lights* .............................................................................. 5-36
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-36
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-38
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-38
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-39
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-39
*Some models.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 1 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM

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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5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

Foot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
Brake System
Coasting with the Engine Off:
Continuing to coast when the engine
is stalled or turned off is dangerous.
Braking will require more effort, and
the brake’s power-assist could be
depleted if you pump the brake. This
will cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don’t continue
coasting when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long distances
is dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance is
normal.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 4 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM