The indicator light illuminates when the 4x4 ON mode is engaged.
Shifting between 4x4 Auto and ON modes
Press the four-wheel drive control to
apply power to both axles. When
you activate the control, the
indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster.
When you press the control again,
4x4 AUTO is activated and, the indicator light will turn off.
Either shift can be done at a stop or while driving at any speed.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4x4 vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough
terrain. Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt
steering wheel motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel
from the outside. Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
²Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
²Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
²If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
LOCK
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WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized Mazda dealership.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transaxle may occur.
WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
²In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid ªover-drivingº your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
²In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high
as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions.
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
²If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
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that does not normally require a lubricant change for the life of the
vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
ªTread Lightlyº is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Mazda Motor
Corporation joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by ªtreading lightly.º
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
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Each day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires, and adjust if
required. Check tire pressure with a
tire gauge every few weeks
(including spare). Safe vehicle
operation requires your tires to be
set at the proper pressure and your
vehicle not be overloaded.
Periodically inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that may permit air leakage from the tire and make necessary
repairs.
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected
in case it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Mazda Motor
Corporation strongly recommends that you do not make modifications
such as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or
by using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Mazda Motor Corporation recommends that caution be used with any
vehicle equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or
pickup box cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited
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CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE (PUERTO RICO)
Your complete and permanent satisfaction is our business. That is why all
Authorized Mazda Dealers have the knowledge and the tools to keep
your Mazda vehicle in top condition.
If you have any questions or recommendations for improvement
regarding the service of your Mazda vehicle or servicing by Mazda Dealer
personnel, we recommend that you take the following steps:
STEP 1
Discuss the matter with an Authorized Mazda Dealer. This is the quickest
and best way to address the issue. If your concern has not been resolved
by the CUSTOMER RELATIONS, SALES, SERVICE, or PARTS
MANAGER, then please contact the GENERAL MANAGER of the
dealership or the OWNER.
STEP 2
If, after following STEP 1, you feel the need for further assistance, please
contact your area's Mazda representative (Indicated on the next page).
Please help us by providing the following information:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number
2. Year and model of vehicle
3. Vehicle Identification Number (17 digits, noted on your registration
or title or located on the upper driver's side corner of the dash)
4. Purchase date and current mileage
5. Your dealer's name and location
6. Your question(s)
If you would like to write a letter, please address it to the following,
Attn: Customer Assistance
Plaza Motors Corp.
Mazda de Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 362722
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00936±2722
Tel: (787) 788±9300
This way, we can be sure to respond to you as efficiently as possible.
That is our goal.
If you live outside the U.S.A., please contact your nearest Mazda
Distributor.
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183
AMERICAN SAMOA
Polynesia Motors, Inc.
P.O. Box 1120, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
TEL: (684) 699±1854
ADD-ON NON-GENUINE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
Non-genuine parts and accessories for Mazda vehicles can be found in
stores. These may fit your vehicle, but they are not approved by the
manufacturer for use with Mazda vehicles. When you install non-genuine
parts or accessories, they could affect your vehicle's performance or
safety system; the manufacturer's warranty doesn't cover this. Before you
install any non-genuine parts or accessories, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
WARNING: Installation of Non-Genuine Parts or Accessories:
Installation of non-genuine parts or accessories could be
dangerous. Improperly designed parts or accessories could
seriously affect your vehicle's performance or safety system.
This could cause you to have an accident or increase your
chances of injuries in an accident. Always consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer before you install non-genuine parts or
accessories.
WARNING: Add-On Electrical and Electronic Equipment:
Incorrectly choosing or installing improper add-on equipment or
choosing an improper installer could be dangerous. Essential
systems could be damaged, causing engine stalling, air-bag
(SRS) activation, ABS inactivation, or a fire in the vehicle. Be
very careful in choosing and installing add-on electrical
equipment, such as mobile telephones, two-way radios, stereo
systems, and car alarm systems.
Mazda assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may
result from the installation of add-on non-genuine parts or accessories.
WARRANTIES FOR YOUR MAZDA
²New Vehicle Limited Warranty
²Safety Restraint System Limited Warranty
²Anti-perforation Limited Warranty
²Federal Emission Control Warranty
± Emission Defect Warranty
± Emission Performance Warranty
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185
vehicles built for use in Canada could be eligible for exportation to the
United States with specific vehicle modifications to comply with the
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety requirements.
Special Note: The above is applicable for permanent import/export
situations and not related to travelers on vacation.
You may have the following problems if you do take your vehicle outside
of Canada:
²Recommended fuel may be unavailable. Any kind of leaded fuel or
low-octane fuel will affect vehicle performance and damage the
emission controls and engine.
²Proper repair facilities, tools, testing equipment, and replacement
parts may not be available.
Please refer to your manufacturers warranty booklet for more
information.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying
your Mazda importer/distributor.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a
recall and remedy campaign. However NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or your Mazda
importer/distributor).
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1 (800) 424±9393 (or 366±0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C. 20590. You
can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the
Hotline.
(Note)
If you live in the U.S.A., all correspondence to:
Mazda North American Operations
7755, Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618±2922
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623±9734
Customer Assistance Center
or toll free at 1 (800) 222±5500
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187
WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as an approved shampoo available from your Mazda
dealer.
²Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
²Never wash a vehicle that is ªhot to the touchº or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
²Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
²Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
²It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
²Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle's
paintwork and trim over time.
²Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
²Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
²Wash the vehicle first.
²Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
²Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will ªgrayº or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
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