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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
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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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If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
(3.0-liter engine model)
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator light
will go out.
qTCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
NOTE
lWhen TCS is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine
power and freeing the vehicle may
be difficult. When this happens, turn
off the TCS.
lIf the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition switch is turned
on.
lLeaving the TCS on will provide the
best traction.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-23
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Meters and Gauges
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-25
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-25
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-26
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-26
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-27
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0 ”by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:
lThe power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over
999.9 km (mile).
q Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
Red zone
CAUTION
Don't run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
qEngine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle is near H, it indicates
overheating.
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page
7-15).
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
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qTCS OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
(3.0-liter engine model)
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator light
will go out.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.
qCruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
qLight-On Indicator Light (Black-
out meter)
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn the ignition switch off andremove the key from the ignitionswitch when you inspect the engine:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition
switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could turn
on unexpectedly even when the engine
is not running. You could be seriously
injured by the fan.
Do not remove eithercooling system caps when the engineand radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is nolonger escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. 2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the enginecompartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam isescaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-15
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If you find a leak or other damage, or ifcoolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
2.3-liter engineCooling system cap
Coolant reservoir
Cooling
system cap
Coolant reservoir 3.0-liter engine
If you find no problems, the engine iscool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-20).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
7-16
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
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