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Storage compartment (if equipped)
Press the OPEN control to open the
storage compartment. The door will
open slightly and can be moved to
full open.
Installing a garage door opener (if equipped)
The storage compartment can be converted to accommodate a variety of
aftermarket garage door openers:
²Remove the Velcro pad (2) from
the storage compartment door
(3).
²Place Velcro (5) on aftermarket
transmitter (6) opposite of
actuator control (8).
²Measure the thickness (4) of the
aftermarket transmitter (6).
²Remove the rubber actuator (1)
from the storage compartment
(7) by pulling the rubber actuator
(1) forward and twisting at the
same time.
Note: The length of the rubber
actuator (1) is critical.Use care
in cutting it to length. If the rubber
actuator (1) is cut too much the
aftermarket transmitter (6) will not
activate the garage door opener. If
the rubber actuator (1) is cut too
long, the storage compartment door (3) will not close properly.
Excessive force to close the storage compartment door (3) may cause
the door latch to break.
²Per the table below, cut the rubber actuator (1) to the proper length
based on the thickness (4) measured in the third step.
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ApproximateThickness of Transmitter(GDO)
inches mmCut to Bottom of
Notch
Less Than
1/4 6.35 No Cut
7/8 22.00 Notch 2
1.0 26.00 Notch 4
1±3/16 32.00 Notch 6
²Reinstall the rubber actuator (1) in the storage compartment (7) by
twisting and pushing it back into the slot.
²Install the transmitter (6) on to storage compartment door (3)
aligning the actuator control (8) with the rubber plunger (1). Close
the storage compartment door (3) to verify proper fit. Do not force
the storage compartment door (3) or you may break the door latch. If
the rubber actuator (1) is the proper length the storage compartment
door will close. Press the storage compartment door (3) to activate
the transmitter (6).
Illuminated visor mirror (if equipped)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT
WARNING: Power outlets are
designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of
accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your
warranty.
Driver Controls
60
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2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue
from the buckle.
The front outboard and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front outboard passenger and
rear seat outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes
described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 8 km/h
(5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode (outboard front passenger seating
position only) for use with child safety seats
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
This mode should be usedany timea child safety seat is installed in a
passenger front or outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Children
12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat
whenever possible. Refer toSafety restraints for childrenorSafety
seats for childrenlater in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
93
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Rear seat lap belts
Adjusting the center lap belt
The lap belt does not adjust automatically.
WARNING: The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as
possible around the hips, not around the waist. Failure to
position the lap belt correctly may cause serious injury in an
accident.
Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle (the buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is coming
from). To lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle.
To tighten the belt, pull the loose
end of the belt through the tongue
until it fits snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when not in use to keep the belt
away from door openings and available after unfolding the seats.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
Seating and Safety Restraints
97
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Overdrive Ð column mounted gearshift with O/D off switch
The Overdrive position with the O/D
OFF switchnotdepressed is the
normal driving position for this
automatic overdrive transaxle. When
your vehicle cruises at a constant
speed for any length of time, this
fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy.
Overdrive may not be appropriate
for certain terrains. If the transaxle
shifts back and forth between third
and fourth gears while you are
driving hilly roads or if your vehicle
requires additional power for climbing hills, press the O/D OFF switch.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode.
If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off repeatedly
when the vehicle is started or does not come on when the O/D
OFF control is pressed, there may be a transaxle electronic
system malfunction. You should contact your authorized Mazda
dealer as soon as possible or damage to the transaxle could occur.
When to use D (Drive) or press the O/D OFF switch
You will notice that there is only one
drive position on your gearshift
indicator (instead of Drive and
Overdrive). However, you will find a
control labeled OVERDRIVE located
on the gearshift lever. Push in the
switch and the O/D OFF light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
With the O/D OFF light illuminated,
the transaxle will operate in first,
second and third gears and will not
shift into fourth gear. Operating in D (O/D OFF) provides more engine
braking than Overdrive for descending hills or city driving.
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive operation, press the O/D
OFF control again. Use this control to select between Overdrive or D
(O/D OFF) whenever you drive your vehicle.
R D 2 1ODO
OFF/ON
R D 2 1ODO
OFF/ON
Driving
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VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4 Door mm (in.)
(1) Vehicle height/ Maximum
height*1,681 (66.2)/1,744 (68.7)*
(2) Front track / rear 1,550 (61.0)/1,530 (60.2)
(3)Overall width (body) 1,783 (70.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2,620 (103.1)
(5)Overall length 4,394 (173.0)
* Denotes a 4x4 vehicle with optional 16º tires
3
2
1
Maintenance and Specifications
247