Black plate (9,1)
Headlight leveling switch .................................................................................. page 5-41
Dashboard illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-27
TCS-OFF switch ................................................................................................ page 5-22
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-40
Audio control switch ......................................................................................... page 6-45
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-24
Air bags ............................................................................................................. page 2-46
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-43
Cruise control switches ...................................................................................... page 5-18
Information display ............................................................................................ page 6-52
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................................................... page 5-46
Audio system ..................................................................................................... page 6-16
Glove box .......................................................................................................... page 6-57
Center console ................................................................................................... page 6-57
Accessory socket ............................................................................................... page 6-59
Cup holder ......................................................................................................... page 6-54
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
MT shift lever ...................................................................................................... page 5-9
AT shift lever (Sport AT) ................................................................................... page 5-11
Climate control system ........................................................................................ page 6-2
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Steering column release lever ............................................................................ page 3-40
Remote fuel-filler lid release ............................................................................. page 3-31
Trunk release button .......................................................................................... page 3-20
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-32
Storage pocket ................................................................................................... page 6-56
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-40
Interior light ....................................................................................................... page 6-49
Sunvisor ............................................................................................................. page 6-49
Map light ........................................................................................................... page 6-50
Rearview mirror ................................................................................................. page 3-41
Vanity mirror ...................................................................................................... page 6-49
Front seats ............................................................................................................ page 2-2
Seat belt ............................................................................................................. page 2-16
Rear seat .............................................................................................................. page 2-9
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Dashboard and Interior Overview
1-3
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page9
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:22 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (126,1)
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.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page126
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (127,1)
Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDon't race the engine.
lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.
lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.
lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.
lKeep the tires properly inflated.
lDon't carry unnecessary weight.
lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.
lKeep windows closed at high speeds.
lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Never stop the engine when goingdown a hill:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page127
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (128,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessaryto downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute forsafe driving:
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.
When driving in water, mud, sand, or
similar hazards:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Do not hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 5-6.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces, use sand, rock salt,
chains, carpeting, or other nonslip
material under the front wheels.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page128
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (129,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allowanyone to stand behind a wheel whenpushing the vehicle:
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.
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.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-20.
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 8-27).
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page129
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (130,1)
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.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires(snow, radial, or non-radial) on allfour wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
qTire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowlyand applying the brakes lightly untilbrake performance returns to normal:
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.
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.
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page130
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (133,1)
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 ............................................ 5-24
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-24
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-29
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-29
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-39
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-40
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-40
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-42
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-42
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-43
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
í......................................... 5-44
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-45
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-46
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-46
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-47
5-1íSome models.
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page133
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (134,1)
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
Remove the key only when the vehicleis parked:
Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Before leaving the driver's seat,always set the parking brake andmake sure the shift lever is in P withan automatic transaxle or in 1 or Rwith a manual transaxle:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake and the shift
lever is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page134
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:23 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K