2-30
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Seat Belt Systems
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
All of the outboard seat belt retractors are designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts out of the
way when not in use.
The driver’s seat belt has no provisions for child-restraint systems and has only an
emergency locking mode. The driver may wear it comfortably, and it will lock during a
collision.
However, the front passenger’s seat and all rear outboard lap/shoulder belt retractors
operate in two modes: emergency locking mode, and for child-restraint systems, automatic
locking mode. While we recommend you put all children in the rear seats, if you must use
the front passenger seat for a child, slide the front passenger seat as far back as possible and
make sure the child-restraint system is secured properly.
The third-row center seat positions have a lap belt with manual adjustment.
Seat Belt Precautions
Not Wearing Seat Belts:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown
out of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same
collision, occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer. Always wear your seat
belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Seat Belt Damaged During an Accident:
Using a damaged seat belt is dangerous. An accident could damage the belt webbing
of the seat belt in use. A damaged seat belt cannot provide adequate protection in a
collision. Whether a front seat was occupied or not, if the front air bags deployed the
seat belt pretensioners also deployed and both front seat belts must be replaced. Have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect all seat belt systems in use during an accident
before they are used again.
Twisted Seat Belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt isn’t
available to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt,
which could cause serious injury or death. Don’t wear twisted seat belts.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 30 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
3-15
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Opening/Closing with Switches
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Put the shift lever in park (P).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Unlock the sliding doors.
5. Look to be sure that the area around the
door is clear of people.
6. Press the power sliding doors main
switch to the ON position.
If you attempt to operate the vehicle in
any way other than the above conditions
(except step 4) while the power sliding
doors are opening/closing electrically, the
beep sound will be heard. Moreover, a
door that is sliding open will stop.
When the above conditions are satisfied,
you can resume power sliding door open/
close operation with the switches.Operation from the driver’s seat
Operate the left/right power sliding door
switch to open/close the left/right door.
When either power sliding door switch is
pressed for 1 second or more, the door
controlled by that switch will open/close
automatically after the beep sound is
heard.
NOTE
•The left power sliding door cannot
fully open when the fuel-filler lid is
open. To fully open the left power
sliding door in this situation, carry
out the following procedure:
1. Close the left power sliding door.
2. Close the fuel-filler lid.
3. Open the left power sliding door.
•When the ABS warning light
remains illuminated, the power
sliding doors cannot be opened
electrically (page 5-29).
NOTE
•If a power sliding door switch is
pressed again while the beep sound
is being heard, the operation can be
canceled.
•Press a power sliding door switch to
stop the power sliding doors while
they are opening/closing.
Left and right power
sliding door switches
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 15 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
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
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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 5-29).
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 6 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
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.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 8 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Warning/Indicator Lights
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-26
Charging System Warning Light 5-27
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-28
Check Engine Light 5-28
ABS Warning Light 5-29
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-29
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-30
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 24 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
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 5-29).
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 26 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM