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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
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WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABSwarning light and brake warning lightilluminated. Have the vehicle towed toan Authorized Mazda Dealer to havethe brakes inspected as soon aspossible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated at the same time is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly in
an emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
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.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
5-8
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
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
Do not drive with both the ABSwarning light and brake warning lightilluminated. Have the vehicle towed toan Authorized Mazda Dealer to havethe brakes inspected as soon aspossible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated at the same time is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly in
an emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
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.
5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
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7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3 Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Changing a Flat Tire ................................................................. 7-8
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-15 Overheating ............................................................................. 7-15
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-17 Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-17
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-18
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-20
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-21 Towing Description ................................................................. 7-21
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-22
7-1
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Page 244 of 384
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Parking in an Emergency
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning flasher and all
four turn signals will flash.
NOTE
lThe turn signals don't work when the
hazard warning lights are on.
lCheck local regulations about the use
of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed. They may
forbid it.
7-2
In Case of an Emergency
Parking in an Emergency
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Spare Tire and Tool Storage
Spare tire and tools are stored in the locations illustrated in the diagram.
Sedan/5-doorSpare tire
Tire hold-down bolt
(Gold)
Sport Wagon Spare tire Jack
Lug wrench Lug wrench Jack
With sub-woofer
Tire hold-down bolt (Gold) With sub-woofer
5-door
Sedan
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-3
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Page 246 of 384
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qJack
To remove the jack
(Sedan)
1. Remove the jack container lid.
2. Turn the wing bolt counterclockwise.
(5-Door/Sport Wagon)
1. Turn the knob and remove the cover.
2. Remove the jack container lid.
3. Turn the wing bolt counterclockwise.
To secure the jack
Perform the removal procedure in reverse.
7-4
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
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qSpare Tire
Your Mazda has a temporary spare tire.
The temporary spare is lighter and smaller
than a conventional tire, and is designed
only for emergency use and should be
used only for VERY short periods.
Temporary spares should NEVER be used
for long drives or extended periods.
WARNING
Do not install the temporary spare tireon the front wheels (driving wheels):
Driving with the temporary spare tire
on one of the front driving wheels is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle,
especially on ice or snow bound roads,
and have an accident. Move a regular
tire to the front wheel and install the
temporary spare tire to the rear.
CAUTION
lWhen using the temporary spare tire,
driving stability may decrease
compared to when using only the
conventional tire. Drive carefully.
lTo avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
lDon't exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).lAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don't drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 35 mm
(1.4 in).
lDo not use tire chains on any type
of tire, including the spare tire.
lDon't use your temporary spare
on any other vehicle, it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
lUse only one temporary spare tire
on your vehicle at the same time.
To remove the spare tire
(Sedan)
1. Remove the trunk board.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-5
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K