Page 152 of 390

Black plate (152,1)
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don't use cruise control in these
situations.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page152
Friday, June 3 2005 8:46 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 156 of 390

Black plate (156,1)
lPress the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed or
below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
WARNING
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), 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 the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires and drive at reduced speeds when
roads are covered with ice and/or
snow.
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page156
Friday, June 3 2005 8:46 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 162 of 390

Black plate (162,1)
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel
warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown
that the fuel-filler lid is on the left side
of the vehicle.
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the thumb wheel to adjust the
brightness of the instrument cluster and
other illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard
illuminations (except instrument
cluster) can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in the
orposition.
l(Black-out meter)
The brightness of the instrument
cluster illumination can be adjusted
when the headlight switch is in any
position.
Dim Bright
Canceling the illumination dimmer(Black-out meter and dashboardilluminations)
When the headlight switch is in the
orposition, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims.
5-28
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page162
Friday, June 3 2005 8:46 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 163 of 390
Black plate (163,1)
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity.
To cancel the illumination dimmer, rotate
the thumb wheel upward fully. You may
hear a click sound and the illumination
dimmer will be canceled.
NOTE
If the dashboard illumination switch is
kept at the illumination dimmer cancel
position, the instrument cluster and the
information display will not dim when
the headlight switch is turned to the
orposition again.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-29
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page163
Friday, June 3 2005 8:46 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 167 of 390

Black plate (167,1)
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 Warning
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.
WARNING
ABS Warning Light and BrakeWarning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don't drive with both lights on, have
the vehicle towed to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible.
qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-33
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page167
Friday, June 3 2005 8:46 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 180 of 390
Black plate (180,1)
Fully Automatic Type Air-Conditioning
CAUTION
Don't use sharp instruments or window
cleaners with abrasives to clean the
inside of the rear window surface. They
may damage the defroster grid inside
the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
Horn
To sound the horn, press around themark on the steering wheel.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page180
Friday, June 3 2005 8:47 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 187 of 390

Black plate (187,1)
6Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio
system.
Climate Control System ............................................................... 6-2
Operating Tips ........................................................................... 6-2
Vent Operation .......................................................................... 6-3
Types of the Climate Control System ....................................... 6-5
Manual Type ............................................................................. 6-6
Fully Automatic Type ............................................................. 6-11
Audio System ............................................................................... 6-16
Antenna ................................................................................... 6-16
Operating Tips for Audio System ........................................... 6-16
Audio Set ................................................................................ 6-27
Audio Control Switch Operation (Steering Wheel)
í............. 6-43
Safety Certification ................................................................. 6-46
Interior Equipment ..................................................................... 6-47
Sunvisors ................................................................................. 6-47
Interior Lights ......................................................................... 6-47
Information Display ................................................................ 6-50
Cup Holder .............................................................................. 6-52
Bottle Holder ........................................................................... 6-53
Storage Compartments ............................................................ 6-54
Accessory Sockets .................................................................. 6-57
6-1íSome models.
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page187
Friday, June 3 2005 8:47 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F
Page 202 of 390

Black plate (202,1)
Antenna
qDetachable Type
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna, turn it clockwise.
Make sure the antenna is securely
installed.
Install Remove
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 Drivingthe 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
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page202
Friday, June 3 2005 8:47 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F