Black plate (126,1)
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
Shifting from N or P:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move suddenly,
causing an accident or serious injury.
If the engine is running faster than
idle, don't shift from N or P into a
driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-13).
qShift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.
NOTE
lWhen the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the shift
lever cannot be shifted from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park, the
ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in P.
q Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won't move from P using
the proper shift procedure, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
with a screwdriver.
5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (155,1)
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
from the ON to the ACC position and the
immobilizer system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position with
the correct ignition key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then goes out.
If the engine doesn't start with the correct
ignition key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qHeadlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
lThe high-beam headlights are on.
lThe turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
qShift Position Indicator Light
(Automatic Transaxle)
This indicates the selected shift position
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Gear position indicator
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (158,1)
qSeat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The beep sound will be heard again for
about 6 seconds every 30 seconds, for a
period of about 5 minutes if the driver's
seat belt is not fastened afterwards.
Refer to Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
(page 5-37).
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beepí
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-22).
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (161,1)
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
High beam
Low beam
q Flashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of riders and weight of cargo
in the luggage compartment change the
angle of the headlights.
The headlight leveling switch adjusts this
angle.
Select the proper setting from the following chart.
Front seat Rear
seat Load Switch
Position
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
×× ――0
×× × ―1
×× ×× 2
× ―― ×3
×: Yes
― :No
q Daytime Running Lights
(Canada)
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-47íSome models.
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (208,1)
Sunvisors
When you need a sunvisor, lower it for
use in front or swing it to the side.
Sunvisor
qVanity Mirrors
To use the vanity mirror, lower the
sunvisor.
Interior Lights
qIlluminated Entry Systemí
When the illuminated entry system
operates, the overhead light (switch is in
the DOOR position) turns on for:
lAbout 30 seconds after the driver's
door is unlocked and the ignition key is
removed.
lAbout 15 seconds after all doors are
closed.
lAbout 15 seconds after the key is
removed from the ignition with all
doors closed.
The light also turns off when:
lThe ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and all doors are closed.
lThe driver's door is locked.
NOTE
Battery saver
If any door is left opened, the light goes
out after about 5 minutes to save the
battery.
The light turns on again when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, or when any door is opened
after all doors have been closed.
6-38
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Interior Equipment
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (215,1)
Bottle Holder
Bottle holders are on the inside of the
doors.
Bottle holder
CAUTION
Don't use the bottle holders for
containers without caps. The contents
may spill when the door is opened or
closed.
Storage Compartments
WARNING
Open Storage Boxes:
Driving with the storage boxes open is
dangerous. To reduce the possibility of
injury in an accident or a sudden stop,
keep the storage boxes closed when
driving.
CAUTION
Don't leave lighters or eyeglasses in the
storage boxes while parked under the
sun. A lighter could explode or the
plastic material in eyeglasses could
deform and crack from high
temperature.
qGlove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch
toward you.
If the glove box has a lock, insert the key
and turn it clockwise to lock,
counterclockwise to unlock.
Unlock
Lock
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
6-45
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (229,1)
qLocking Lug Nutsí
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock the tires and you must use a special
key to unlock them. This key is attached
to the lug wrench and is stored with the
spare tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it
in the accompanying envelope. If you lose
this key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer's
order form, which is with the registration
card.
Special key
Antitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the key for the antitheft lug nut.
2. Place it on top of the nut, and be sure
to hold the key square to it. If you hold
the key at an angle, you may damage
both key and nut. Don't use a power
impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To install the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
qMounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
2. Mount the spare tire.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9íSome models.
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Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (232,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition
switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could turn
on unexpectedly even when the engine
isn't running. You could be seriously
injured by the fan. Turn the ignition
switch off and remove the key from the
ignition switch when you inspect the
engine.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury. Don't remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine. If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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