Black plate (172,1)
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Operation
í
AWD provides excellent driveability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
qAWD Driving
WARNING
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicles:
Vehicles with a higher center of
gravity such as utility and AWD
vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity.
Utility and AWD vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as
high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sport cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Failure to drive cautiously
could result in an increase risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle roll-over,
personal injury and death.
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (182,1)
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
í
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low in one or more
tires, the system will inform the driver via
the warning light in the instrument panel
and by the warning beep sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
NOTE
When the ambient temperature is low
due to seasonal changes, tire
temperatures are also lower. If the tire
temperature lowers, the air pressure
lowers as well, and the TPMS warning
light illuminates more frequently.
Inspect the tire pressure dailybefore
driving, and check the tire pressures
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
When checking the tire pressures, use
of a digital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
CAUTION
lEach tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
5-26
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (189,1)
NOTE
l(Standard meter)
The odometer and trip meter can be
displayed as follows even when the
ignition switch is in the ACC or
LOCK position.
lDisplays for 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the
ACC or LOCK position from the
ON position.
lDisplays for 10 minutes after the
driver's door is opened.
l(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the
odometer or trip meters cannot be
displayed, however, pressing the
selector button can inadvertently
switch the trip meters or reset them
during an approximate ten-minute
period in the following cases:
lAfter the ignition switch is turned
to the ACC or LOCK position
from the ON position.
lAfter the driver's door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
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).
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-33
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (199,1)
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light comes on when any
door isn't securely closed.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-20).
qAutomatic Transaxle Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transaxle warning light
illuminates, the transaxle has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transaxle.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
qAWD Warning Light (AWD)
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light will
illuminate or flash under the following
conditions:
lIlluminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.
lFlashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.
lFlashes when there are continually
large differences between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface.
If the AWD warning light illuminates:
If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-43íSome models. CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page199
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (200,1)
If the AWD warning light flashes:
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments; if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
Never spin a wheel that is off the
ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the
ground as a result of the vehicle being
stuck or in a ditch is dangerous. The
drive assembly could be seriously
damaged which could lead to an
accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.
qTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Warning Lightí
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires, and flashes when there is a
system malfunction.
WARNING
If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes,
or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, decrease vehicle speed
immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking:
If the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light illuminates or flashes,
or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, it is dangerous to drive
the vehicle at high speeds, or perform
sudden maneuvering or braking.
Vehicle drivability could worsen and
result in an accident.
Have the system and tires checked or
perform the appropriate repair as soon
as possible by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Do not ignore the TPMS Warning
Light:
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious situation
that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure. Refer to the specification charts
(page 10-6).
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page200
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (223,1)
Mode selector dial
Turn the mode selector dial to select
airflow mode (page 6-4).
NOTE
lIf you want to slightly adjust the
airflow amount, set the mode
selector dial at
.
lFor example, when the mode selector
dial is at the
position between the
andpositions, airflow from
the floor vent is less than that of the
position.
A/C switchí
Push the A/C switch to turn the air
conditioner on. The indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the fan
control dial is set at position 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Push the switch once again to turn the air
conditioner off.
NOTE
The air conditioner may not function
when the outside temperature
approaches 0 °C (32 °F).
Air intake selector
This switch controls the source of air
entering the vehicle.
Press the
switch to alternate
between the outside air and recirculated
air modes.
It is recommended that under normal
conditions the switch be kept in the
outside air mode.
Outside air mode (Indicator light is off)
Outside air is taken into the vehicle. Use
this mode for normal ventilation and
heating.
Recirculated air mode (Indicator light
is on)
Outside air is shut off. Air within the
vehicle is recirculated.
This mode can be used when driving on a
dusty road or in similar conditions. It also
helps to provide quicker cooling of the
interior.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7íSome models. CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page223
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (227,1)
Fully Automatic Typeí
Climate control information is displayed on the information display.
Temperature control dial
Fan control dialMode selector switch
Windshield defroster switch
Air intake selector A/C Switch OFF Switch Auto Switch
Ambient Temperature switch
qControl Switches
AUTO switch
By pressing the AUTO switch the
following functions will be automatically
controlled in accordance with the set
temperature:
lAirflow temperature
lAmount of airflow
lSelection of airflow mode
lOutside/Recirculated air selection
lAir conditioner operation
lA/C or A/C ECO selection
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-11íSome models. CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page227
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (230,1)
NOTE
lThe displayed ambient temperature
may vary from the actual ambient
temperature depending on the
surrounding area and vehicle
conditions.
lPress the AMB switch 2 seconds or
more to switch the display from
Fahrenheit to Centigrade or vice
versa.
lPress the AMB switch again to
switch the display from ambient
temperature to the temperature set
for the air conditioner.
Windshield defroster switch
Press the switch to defrost the windshield
and front door windows.
qOperation 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 to
select a desired temperature.
Hot Cold
To turn off the system, press the OFF
switch.
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.
6-14
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page230
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B