2004 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA Owners Manual

5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transmission automatically shifts
to overdrive, which improves fuel
economy and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don
’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transmission will then shift through a
3-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
Shift lever
Overdrive button
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 13 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or 1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 2
or 1, depending on load weight and grade
steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating. 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.
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
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 14 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
To deactivate the system, push the switch
again.
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
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the CRUISE MAIN switch
on when not using the cruise control
is dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the CRUISE
MAIN switch off when cruise control
is not in use.
Indicator light
WARNING
*Some models.
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 40 km/h (25 mph).
3. Turn the control knob to SET/COAST and release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don ’t continue to hold the knob. Until
you release it, speed will continue to
drop (unless you continue to
accelerate) and you ’ll miss the desired
speed.

To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
• Turn the control knob to RESUME/
ACCEL and hold it. Your vehicle will
accelerate.
Release the knob at the speed you
want.
• Accelerate to the desired speed.
Turn the control knob to SET/COAST
and release it immediately.
NOTE
•The SET function can
’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the
CRUISE MAIN switch has been
engaged.
• On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
Control knob
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
Control knob
Control knob
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Turn the control knob to SET/COAST and
hold it. The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the knob at the speed you want.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the CRUISE
MAIN switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the control knob is turned to
RESUME/ACCEL.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and turn the control knob
to RESUME/ACCEL.

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
• Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transmission only)
The system is off when the ignition is off.
Control knob
Control knob
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 17 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer .............................................................................................................. 5-19
2 Odometer, Trip Meter and Selector ........................................................................... 5-19
3 Tachometer ................................................................................................................ 5-20
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ......................................................................... 5-20
5 Fuel Gauge ............................................................................................................... 5-21
6 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge ....................................................................................... 5-21
Meters and Gauges
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.

Odometer, Trip Meter and
Selector
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector. The selected mode will be
displayed. Odometer
When this mode is selected, ODO will be
displayed.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter A Press the selector
Press the selector
Press the selector
Trip meter B
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;

The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-11).
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 20 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM