Black plate (118,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel whilethe vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qSteering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, pull down the lock
release lever under the steering
column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, push the lever up to lock the
column.
3. Push the wheel up and down to be
certain it's locked before driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
WARNING
Be sure to look over your shoulderbefore changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Outside mirrorSelector switch
Mirror switch
3-40
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page118
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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
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (145,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the front wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
lIf you shift up once when the vehicle
is stopped and the gear is at M1, the
gear will shift to M2. M2 is helpful
for starting on slippery surfaces.
l(2.3-liter engine model)
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear, the gear will shift to M4.
(3.0-liter engine model)
If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, the
gear will shift to a lower gear (Ex;
the gear changes from D range, 5th
to M4).
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-13
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (250,1)
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.
lThe vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
lThe vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WARNING
Be sure to follow the directions forchanging a tire, and never get under avehicle that is supported only by ajack:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure someone.
Never allow anyone inside a vehiclesupported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page250
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (251,1)
qRemoving a Flat Tire
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a
wheel cover, pry off the wheel cover
with the beveled end of the lug wrench.
NOTE
Force the end of the lug wrench firmly
between wheel and cover, or removal
will be difficult.
CAUTION
Align the notch on the wheel cover
with the valve stem when installing it.
Notch
Tire valve
Damage could occur during installation
if the wheel cover is not properly
aligned.2. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don't remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
3. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
Jacking position
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page251
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (382,1)
S
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-56
Cargo securing loops .................. 6-58
Cargo sub-compartment ............. 6-59
Center box .................................. 6-56
Center console ............................ 6-57
Glove box ................................... 6-57
Overhead console ....................... 6-56
Storage box ................................ 6-57
Storage pocket ............................ 6-56
Storage Pocket .................................. 6-56
Sunshade ........................................... 3-34
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-49
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-26
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-37
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-38
Tire Information ................................ 9-22
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-35
Replacement ............................... 8-36
Rotation ...................................... 8-35
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-8
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-20
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-21
Emergency towing ..................... 7-21
Recreational towing ................... 7-22
T
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-22
TCS indicator light ..................... 5-22
TCS OFF indicator light ............ 5-22
TCS OFF switch ........................ 5-23
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-25
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-20
Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-22
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-21
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-42
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-49
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-29
ABS ............................................ 5-31
Air bag system ........................... 5-34
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-36
Brake system .............................. 5-31
Charging system ......................... 5-32
Check engine .............................. 5-33
Door-ajar .................................... 5-36
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-33
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-34
Low fuel ..................................... 5-34
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-36
Seat belt ...................................... 5-34
Warranty ............................................ 9-12
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-27
Weights ............................................. 10-6
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-37
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-23
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-44
11-6
Index
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K