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Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Manual Type Air-Conditioning
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-45
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
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Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the fan control
dial on for a long period of time with
the ignition switch in the ACC position
when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowl grille to improve the system
efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along
with the heater to dehumidify the air.
qOutside/Recirculated Air Position
Use the outside air position in normal
conditions. The recirculated air position
should be used only when driving on
dusty roads or for quick cooling of the
interior.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air Filter
If your vehicle is equipped with an air
filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary
to change the filter periodically as
indicated in scheduled maintenance (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Page 190 of 384

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WARNING
Do not use theposition in coldor rainy weather:
Using theposition in cold or
rainy weather is dangerous as it will
cause the windows to fog up. Your
vision will be hampered, which could
lead to a serious accident.
q Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to theposition.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired, turn on the air conditioner.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
lIf cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
qCooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to theposition.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing the A/C switch.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
CAUTION
When using the air conditioner while
driving up long hills or in heavy traffic,
closely monitor the temperature gauge
(page 5-26).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the gauge indicates
overheating, turn the air conditioner off
(page 7-15).
6-8
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Page 192 of 384
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qDehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing the A/C switch.
NOTE
One of the functions of the air
conditioner is dehumidifying the air
and, to use this function, the
temperature does not have to be set to
cold. Therefore, set the temperature
control dial to the desired position (hot
or cold) and turn on the air conditioner
when you want to dehumidify the cabin
air.
6-10
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 °C (32 °F). (Indicator
remains on even when system is off.)
Air intake selector
Outside or recirculated air positions can
be selected. Press the switch to select
outside/recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (
)
Use this position when going through
tunnels, driving in congested traffic (high
engine exhaust areas) or when quick
cooling is desired.
Outside air position (
)
Use this position for normal conditions
and defogging.
WARNING
Do not use theposition in coldor rainy weather:
Using theposition in cold or
rainy weather is dangerous as it will
cause the windows to fog up. Your
vision will be hampered, which could
lead to a serious accident.
Windshield defroster switch
Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.
q Operation of Automatic Air
Conditioning
1. Press the AUTO switch. Selection of
the airflow mode, air intake selector
and amount of airflow will be
automatically controlled.
2. Use the temperature control dial toselect a desired temperature.
Hot
Cold
To turn off the system, press the OFF
switch.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-13
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Page 196 of 384

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NOTE
lSetting the temperature to maximum
high or low will not provide the
desired temperature at a faster rate.
lWhen selecting heat, the system will
restrict airflow until it has warmed to
prevent cold air from blowing out of
the vents.
qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging
Press the windshield defroster switch.
In this position, theposition is
automatically selected, and the air
conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate). The air conditioner will
directly dehumidify the air to the front
windshield and side windows (page 6-4).
Airflow amount will be increased.
WARNING
Set the temperature control to the hotor warm position when defogging (position):
Using theposition with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog up.
Your vision will be hampered, which
could lead to a serious accident.
NOTE
Use the temperature control dial to
increase the air flow temperature and
defog the windshield more quickly.
q Sunlight/Temperature Sensor
The fully automatic air conditioner
function measures inside and outside
temperatures, and sunlight. It then sets
temperatures inside the passenger
compartment accordingly. Do not obstruct
the sensors.
Sunlight sensor
6-14
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K
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Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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CAUTION
lDon't bend or discard the stiffeners.
You need to use them again.
lIf the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade's wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don't use the driver's side metal
stiffeners on the passenger's side, or
vice versa.
lBe sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was in
the old blade rubber.
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber. Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
qReplacing Rear Window Wiper
Blade (5-Door/Sport Wagon)
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
and other components, don't move the
wiper by hand.
(5-Door)
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the rear window,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8W89-EA-06K