A Word to Mazda Owners
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that’s the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.
Mazda Motor Corporation
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
©2003 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed in Japan Aug. 2003(Print1) Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of
your Mazda. Should you resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because
improvement is a constant goal at Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in
specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Air Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda’s genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that
has been found not to damage the earth’s ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not
operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a
result, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
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Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seat is locked in place by
attempting to push it forward and
backward.
Seat Recline
To change the seatback angle, lean
forward slightly while raising the lever.
Then lean back to the desired position and
release the lever.
Make sure the lever returns to its original
position and the seatback is locked in
place by attempting to push it forward and
backward.
Reclining:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous
because you don’t get the full
protection from seat belts. During
sudden braking or a collision, you
can slide under the lap belt and suffer
serious internal injuries. For
maximum protection, sit well back
and upright.
Unlocked Seatback:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After adjusting the
seatback at any time, even when there
are no other passengers, rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked in
place.
WARNING
When returning a rear-reclined
seatback to its upright position, make
sure you support the seatback while
operating the seatback lever. If the
seatback is not supported, it will flip
forward suddenly and could cause
injury.
Lever
CAUTION
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2-21
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Seat Recline
To change seatback angle, lean forward
slightly while pulling the flat-folding
strap. Then lean back to the desired
position and release the strap. Make sure
the seat is securely latched.
Unlocked Seatback:
The seatback plays an important role
in your protection in a vehicle.
Leaving the seatback unlocked is
dangerous as it can allow passengers
to be ejected or thrown around and
baggage to strike occupants in a
sudden stop or collision, resulting in
severe injury. After adjusting the
seatback at any time, even when there
are no other passengers, rock the
seatback to make sure it is locked in
place.
Passenger on the Folded Seatback:
Driving with a passenger on the
folded seatback is dangerous.
Allowing a child to sit up on the
folded seatback while the vehicle is
moving is particularly dangerous. In
a sudden stop or even a minor
collision, a child not in a proper seat
or child-restraint system and seat belt
could be thrown forward, back or
even out of the car resulting in
serious injuries or death. The child or
other objects in the baggage area
could be thrown into other occupants
and cause serious injury. Never allow
a passenger to sit or stand on the
folded seatback while the vehicle is
moving.
WARNINGNOTE
•The third-row seat cannot be
removed.
•When returning the third-row seat
to its original position, also place
the seat belt in its normal position.
Verify that the seat belt pulls and
retracts.
Reclining:
Sitting in a reclined position while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous
because you don’t get the full
protection from seat belts. During
sudden braking or a collision, you
can slide under the lap belt and suffer
serious internal injuries. For
maximum protection, sit well back
and upright.
WARNING
Flat-folding strap
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Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Trailer Towing Tips
•Verify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is connected. Don’t drive if it has an abnormal front-up or front-down position.
Inspect for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading.
•Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
•Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
•Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all vehicle-
to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving a short
distance.
Driving
•Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing,
and stopping in a traffic-free area.
•Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
•Allow more room between your vehicle and the one in front because braking distance
increases with a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle
and trailer length between your Mazda and the vehicle ahead.
•Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
•Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially
so on wet or slippery roads.
•Use the following positions when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when heavily
loaded.
OD (overdrive) off
Shift lever in D
These positions will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden turns, and tight turns. Slow down before turning to avoid
the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns that
are larger than normal.
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5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Daytime Running Lights
(Canada Model)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
Tu r n S i g n a l
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change—until the
indicator flashes—and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
NOTE
The running lights go off when the
parking brake is applied.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out.
Right turn
Left turn Right lane
change
Left lane
changeOFF
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Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Flutter/Skip noise
Signals from an FM transmitter move in
straight lines and become weak in valleys
between tall buildings, mountains, and
other obstacles. When a vehicle passes
through such an area, the reception
conditions may change suddenly,
resulting in annoying noise.
Weak signal noise
In suburban areas, broadcast signals
become weak because of distance from
the transmitter. Reception in such fringe
areas is characterized by sound breakup.Strong signal noise
This occurs very close to a transmitter
tower. The broadcast signals are
extremely strong, so the result is noise and
sound breakup at the radio receiver.
Station drift noise
When a vehicle reaches the area of two
strong stations broadcasting at similar
frequencies, the original station may be
temporarily lost and the second station
picked up. At this time there will be some
noise from this disturbance.
Station 1
88.1 MHzStation 2
88.3 MHz
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6-19
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Operating Tips for CD Player/In-
Dash CD Changer
Condensation phenomenon
Immediately after turning on the heater
when the vehicle is cold, the CD or optical
components (prism and lens) in the CD
player/changer may become clouded with
condensation. At this time, the CD will
eject immediately when placed in the unit.
A clouded CD can be corrected simply by
wiping it with a soft cloth. Clouded
optical components will clear naturally in
about an hour. Wait for normal operation
to return before attempting to use the unit.
Handling the CD player/In-dash CD
changer
The following precautions should be
observed.
•Do not spill any liquid on the audio
system.
•Do not insert any objects, other than
CDs, into the slot.•The CD revolves at high speed within
the unit. Defective (cracked or badly
bent) CDs should never be used.
•Do not use non-conventional discs such
as heart-shaped, octagonal discs, etc.
The CD player/changer could be
damaged.
•A new CD may have rough edges on its
inner and outer perimeters. If a disc
with rough edges is used, proper
setting will not be possible and the CD
player/changer will not play the CD.
Remove the rough edges in advance by
using a ball-point pen or pencil as
shown below. To remove the rough
edges, rub the side of the pen or pencil
against the inner and outer perimeter of
the CD.
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6-25
Interior Comfort
Au di o S ys t em
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Exact hour adjustment
1. To set the exact hour, press the clock
button ( ) for about 2 seconds
until a beep is heard.
The clock’s current time will flash.
2. Press the clock button ( ) again
and the time will be adjusted as
follows:
(Example)
12:01—12:29
→12:00
12:30—12:59
→1:00
Changing the display mode
The display on the unit can be changed by
pressing the clock button ( ). This
alternates the display between clock mode
and normal mode. When the clock mode
has been selected, the time will be
displayed.
NOTE
•When the clock button ( ) is
released, the seconds are reset to
"00".
•If the power supply to the unit is
interrupted (if the fuse blows or the
vehicle’s battery is disconnected),
the clock will need to be reset.
NOTE
The displays when using the audio
differ in clock mode and normal mode.
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