Page 26 of 341

2-17
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Folding the Second-Row Seats
The second-row seatbacks can be folded
down and used as tables when the vehicle
is not moving.
To fold the seatback
1. If your vehicle is equipped with an
armrest, return the armrest to the
upright position.
2. Put the buckle in the pocket of the seat
bottom.3. Raise the reclining lever and lower the
seatback forward. Make sure the
seatback is locked.
To return the seatback to the upright
position
Raise the reclining lever and lift the
seatback upright. Attempt to move the
seatback forward and backward to make
sure it is locked.
Using Folded Seatback as a Table
While the Vehicle is Moving:
Using the folded seatback as a table
while driving is dangerous. During
sudden braking or a collision, objects
placed on the folded seatback could
become projectiles that could hit and
injure someone. Never use the folded
seat as a table while the vehicle is
moving.
WARNINGLowering the seatback without
stowing the seat belt buckle could
damage the seatback.
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 17 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 27 of 341

2-18
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Removal of Second-Row Seats
The second-row seats can be removed to
create a more comfortable space between
the third-row and front seats. Additional
cargo space is available with the removal
of the second-row seats and stowing of the
third-row seat.
To r e m o v e t h e s e a t
1. Put the buckle in the pocket of the seat
bottom.
2. Lower the head restraint all the way
down.
3. Slide the seat all the way back.
Seat Removal or Installation While
Vehicle is Moving or on a Slope:
Removing or installing the second-
row seats while the vehicle is moving
or on a slope is dangerous. The seats
are heavier than they appear and
could suddenly detach causing
serious injury. Remove or install the
seats with the vehicle parked on a
level surface.
Riding on the Floor Space:
Riding on the floor space created by
the removal of the second-row seat is
dangerous. Sudden braking or a
collision could cause serious injury.
Do not sit or lie in the floor space for
the second-row seat while the vehicle
is moving. Never ride in a vehicle
where you can’t sit in the seat and
wear the seat belt.
Pinching Fingers or Hands:
Placing your hands around the seat
anchors when removing or installing
the second-row seats is dangerous.
You could pinch your hands or
fingers between the seat anchor and
the seat. Hold the edge of the seat
when lowering it into place. Never
place your hands between the seat
anchor and the seat.
WARNING
Lifting the Seat-Anchor Bar:
Lifting the seat-anchor bar without
firmly supporting the seat with your
hand is dangerous. Lifting the seat
unlocks the front clamps
automatically and could cause the
seat to fall. Support the seat firmly
while lifting the seat-anchor bar.
Lowering the seatback without
stowing the seat belt buckle could
damage the seatback.
WARNING
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 18 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 32 of 341

2-23
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
2. Pull the third-row seat’s flat-folding
strap and push the seatback down until
it locks.
Stowing the Third-Row Seat
More storage space can be created by
folding away the third-row seat into the
rear seat well. With the second-row seats
removed and the third-row seat stowed,
even more space is available.
Flat-folding strap
Riding in the Seat Well:
Riding in the seat well for the third-
row seat is dangerous. Sudden
braking or a collision could cause
serious injury. Do not sit or lie in the
seat well while the vehicle is moving.
Never ride in a vehicle where you
can’t sit in the seat and wear the seat
belt.
Pinching Fingers or Hands:
Placing your hands around the seat
stowage well when stowing the third-
row seat is dangerous. You could
pinch your hands or fingers between
the seat and the well. Hold the handle
when lowering the seat into place.
Never place your hands between the
seat and the seat well.
Unlocked Seatback:
An unlocked seatback is dangerous.
While stowing the seat, the seatback
could suddenly move causing serious
injury. Push the seatback forward and
backward to make sure it is locked in
place.
NOTE
Remove any items from the seat well
for the third-row seat before stowing
the seat. Anything in the baggage area
when the seat is set into the well can
damage the seatback material and
prevent a flat cargo area.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 23 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 33 of 341
2-24
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Stowing the third-row seat
1. Insert the seat belts in the retainers.
2. Remove the head restraint and set them
aside temporarily (page 2-22).
3. Pull strap A and ease the seatback
toward the front of the vehicle with
your other hand and be sure it locks
with a click.4. Pull strap B and lift the combined
seatback and seat bottom up to vertical
with your other hand. Gently lower the
seat into the seat well.
5. Insert the head restraints between the
floor and seat at the positions indicated
on the labels.
Retainer
Strap A
Strap B
Labels
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 24 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 36 of 341
2-27
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
7. Remove the support bar from the
pocket.
8. Set the hook on the support bar in the
rear of the seatback.9. Pull the seatback towards the front of
the vehicle until the opposite end of the
support bar hooks onto the anchor loop
in the side trim. Attempt to push the
seatback towards the rear (liftgate) to
make sure the support bar is securely
latched.
Support bar
Pocket
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 27 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 37 of 341

2-28
Essential Safety Equipment
Seats
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
To return the third-row seat to the road
position (forward facing)
1. Make sure to stow the shoulder belts
away from the seat bottom as it is
lowered.
2. Detach the support bar by following
the reverse procedure for installation.
3. From inside the vehicle, carefully
lower the seat towards the front until it
locks in place. Attempt to move the
seat forward and backward to make
sure it’s securely locked in place.
4. Reinsert the head restraints.
5. Place the seat belt buckles face up.
6. Fasten the shoulder belts and check
that they are routed properly for
passenger use.All seats can be folded down for use as
beds when the vehicle is safely parked.
Flat Folding
Folded-Flat Seats:
Sitting or lying on seats folded flat is
a dangerous way to ride. During
sudden braking or a collision you
could be thrown around inside the
vehicle and seriously injured. Don’t
ride on seatbacks folded flat.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 28 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 92 of 341
3-9
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Locking, Unlocking with Key
Either front door can be locked/unlocked
with the key.
Turn the key toward the front to unlock,
toward the back to lock.
Locking, Unlocking with
Transmitter*
The doors can be locked/unlocked by
operating the keyless entry system
transmitter, refer to keyless entry system
(page 3-3).
Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Knob
Front doors
To lock either front door from the inside,
push its door-lock knob.
To unlock, pull it out.
To lock either front door with the door-
lock knob from the outside, push its door-
lock knob to the lock position and close
the door.
Unlock
Lock
NOTE
When locking the doors this way, be
careful not to leave the key inside the
vehicle.
Lock
Unlock
*Some models.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 9 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
Page 120 of 341

4-1
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
......................................... 4-2
Fuel Requirements ..................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5
Before Starting the Engine
........................................................... 4-6
Before Getting In ....................................................................... 4-6
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6
Driving Tips
................................................................................... 4-7
Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7
Money-Saving Suggestions ....................................................... 4-7
Hazardous Driving ..................................................................... 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle ................................................................... 4-9
Winter Driving ........................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
To w i n g
.......................................................................................... 4-12
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-12
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 1 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM