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qSafety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.
WARNING
Towing Without Safety Chain:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision. Make sure the safety
chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle prior to departure.
qTrailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer
as required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Don't connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle's electrical system and lighting systems. Have a
recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the
brake lights and turn signals yourself before each trip.
qTrailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
WARNING
Hydraulic Trailer-Brake System:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury. Don't connect a
hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system.
4-16
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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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
Automatic Transaxle Controls .................................................. 5-9
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-13
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-13
Traction Control System (TCS)í........................................... 5-17
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-20
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-20
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-24
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-24
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-32
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-33
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-34
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-35
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-35
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-37
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-37
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-38
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-38
5-1íSome models.
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Ignition Switch
qIgnition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
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.
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 5-24).
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 5-24).
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.
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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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
lWhen 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.
lWhen the ABS warning light
remains illuminated, the power
sliding doors cannot be opened
electrically. Refer to“Power Sliding
Doors”(page 3-12).
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.
WARNING
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning 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.
qBrake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7íSome models. Mazda MPV_8U61-EA-05G_Edition1 Page147
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Page 163 of 364
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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
qDashboard Illumination
When the headlight switch is in theor
position, rotate the thumb-wheel to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
lights.
Bright
Dim
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-23
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Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-26
Charging System Warning Light 5-27
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-28
Check Engine Light 5-28
ABS Warning Light 5-26
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-29
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-29
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-29
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-29
Immobilizer System Warning/Security Indicator Light 5-30
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-30
O/D OFF Indicator Light 5-30
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-31
TCS Indicator Light 5-31
TCS OFF Indicator Light 5-31
Cruise Main Indicator Light 5-31
Cruise Set Indicator Light 5-32
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights 5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-25
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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 8-17).
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.
qABS Warning Lightí
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8U61-EA-05G