2006 MAZDA MODEL 6 ignition

Black plate (125,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Parking Over Flammable Objects:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust system
gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
Never park over or near anything flammable.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
lUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
lDon't drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
lDon't coast with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
lDon't tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
lDon't push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
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Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
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Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, window
scraper, flares, a small shovel, jumper
cables, and a small bag of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-29).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
qSnow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transaxle Operation ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-11
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-18
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-18
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-22
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-25
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-25
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-30
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-30
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-40
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-41
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-41
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-42
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-43
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-43
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
í......................................... 5-45
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-45
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-46
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-47
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-47
5-1íSome models.
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Black plate (136,1)
Ignition Switch
qIgnition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position, then turn it to the LOCK
position.
Push the key
Automatic transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
WARNING
Removing the Key:
It's dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious accident
could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver's
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-30).
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-30).
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.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4.(Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal isnotdepressed all the way.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever isnotin P or N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Black plate (140,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-24).
2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes out have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes
an indicator of leakage. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible even if the brake light is no
longer illuminated.
WARNING
Brake Warning Light:
Driving with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. It indicates that
your brakes may not work at all or
that they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains on, after
checking that the parking brake is
fully released, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don't drive
with this light on, have the vehicle
towed to an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
qAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)í
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don't
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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WARNING
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident. So don't rely on
ABS as a substitute for safe driving.
NOTE
Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
qABS Warning Lightí
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warningí
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light and the ABS warning light
on at the same time. The problem is likely
to be an electronic brake force distribution
system.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7íSome models. Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page141
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