Page 111 of 372
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Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been affected.
Dry the brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to normal.
CAUTION
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area.
Interior materials could get moldy, and
many electronic devices in the cabin
and the engine could be damaged.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-11
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 148 of 372
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Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-38
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-39
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-40
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-40
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-40
Security Indicator Light 5-42
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-42
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-42
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-43
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-43
Light-On Indicator Light 5-43
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light 5-43
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-44
5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 151 of 372

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CAUTION
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
3. Inspect the engine oil level (page 8-19).
If it's low, add oil.
4. Check the warning light.
If the light remains illuminated even after
you add oil, have your vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Don't run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
qCheck Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-37
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 153 of 372

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Belt minder
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
This feature provides additional reminders
to the driver that the driver's seat belt is
not fastened by intermittently sounding a
beep sound and flashing the seat belt
warning light in the instrument cluster.
Condition Result
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the vehicle
speed reaches 8 km/h
(5 mph) and about 1 minute
has elapsed since the
ignition switch was turned
to the ON position.The warning light
flashes and the beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds
every 30 seconds, for
a period of about 5
minutes.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated.The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position.The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated by
the following methods.
l(Temporary deactivation)
To temporarily deactivate the belt
minder, turn the ignition switch to
the ON position, fasten the driver's
seat belt for about 2 seconds or
longer, and then unfasten it within 20
seconds. The belt minder will be
deactivated until the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position again.
l(Long-term deactivation)
To deactivate the belt minder over
the long term, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. If the belt minder is
long-term deactivated, the belt
minder will not activate until it is
restored at the Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn't securely closed.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-39
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 156 of 372

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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
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 186 of 372

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Antenna
qDetachable Type
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna, turn it clockwise.
Make sure the antenna is securely
installed.
RemoveInstall
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the antenna,
remove it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
NOTE
When leaving your vehicle unattended,
we recommend that you remove the
antenna and store it inside the vehicle.
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do Not Adjust Audio While Driving
the Vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the vehicle
operation which could lead to a
serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving, adjust
the audio volume to a level that allows
you to hear sounds outside of the
vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods
of time while the engine is off.
Otherwise the battery could go dead.
lIf a digital cellular phone or CB
radio is used in or near the vehicle, it
could cause noise to occur from the
audio system, however, this does not
indicate that the system has been
damaged.
6-16
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 223 of 372

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qCenter Console
To open, pull the lower release catch.
Small items can be placed in the tray of
the center console lid.
To open it, pull the upper release catch.
qCargo Securing Loops (5 Door)
WARNING
Not Securing Luggage and Cargo:
Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as it could move or be
crushed during sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury. Make sure
luggage and cargo is secured before
driving.Use the loops in the luggage compartment
to secure cargo with a rope or net. The
tensile strength of the loops is 196 N (20
kgf, 44 lbf). Do not apply excessive force
to the loops as it will damage them.
NOTE
To secure cargo with a rope or net, the
trunk board loops can be used in the
same way as the cargo securing loops
(page 6-54).
qCargo Sub-Compartment (5 Door)
With flexible floor board
To use the cargo sub-compartment,
partially open or remove the trunk boards.
Trunk board
Cargo sub-
compartment
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
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Without flexible floor board
To use the cargo sub-compartment,
remove or lift the trunk board.
Trunk board
Cargo sub-
compartment
qFlexible Floor Board (5 Door)í
The luggage compartment can be
separated vertically and/or horizontally,
using the trunk board and the trunk board
loops.
CAUTION
Make sure the trunk board is firmly
secured when it is fitted into the trunk
board loops. If it is not firmly secured,
it could unexpectedly disengage
causing damage to the trunk board
loops or the trunk board.
NOTE
The trunk board loops can be used in
the same way as the cargo securing
loops. The tensile strength of the loops
is 147 N (15 kgf, 33 lbf). Do not apply
excessive force to the trunk board loops
as it will damage them (page 6-53).
Compartment
divider loops
Rear trunk boardFront trunk board
To separate vertically
Use the rear trunk board to separate the
luggage compartment vertically.
1. Pull the trunk board loops out.
Compartment
divider loop
6-54
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Interior Equipment
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G