Black plate (158,1)
Ignition Switch
(With advanced key)
NOTE
When starting the engine using the
advanced key, refer to Starting the
Engine (page 3-10).
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.
1. Remove the auxiliary key from the
advanced key (page 3-16).
2. Make sure the start knob is in LOCK
position.
3. Remove the start knob by pulling it
outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.
qIgnition Switch Positions
With advanced
key
Without advanced
key
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
WARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked:
Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Before leaving the driver's seat,
always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident.
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page158
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (159,1)
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
ACC(Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-36).
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-36).
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever isnotin P or N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.
CAUTION
Don't try the starter for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine stalls or
fails to start, wait 10 seconds before
trying again. Otherwise, you may
damage the starter and drain the battery.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for
about 10 seconds.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
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
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page172
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (179,1)
qTCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 5-24.
If the light remain illuminated when the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The
dynamic stability control may have a
malfunction.
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, the DSC will be inoperable.
When this happens, the TCS OFF
indicator light flashes and the TCS/DSC
indicator light illuminates.
To reactivate the DSC operable, do the
following procedure with the battery
connected.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the TCS OFF indicator
turns off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light turns off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
TCS OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-23
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (205,1)
NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, the DSC will be inoperable.
When this happens, the TCS OFF
indicator light flashes and the TCS/DSC
indicator light illuminates.
To reactivate the DSC operable, do the
following procedure with the battery
connected.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON
position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully,
then turn it counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the TCS OFF indicator
turns off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position, then turn it to the ON
position again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator
light turns off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the
TCS OFF indicator light remain
illuminated even after turning the
ignition switch to the ON position,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON/OFF switch is pressed and
the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 5-55).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-59).
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-49
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (215,1)
Horn
To sound the horn, press around the
mark on the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-59
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (217,1)
6Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio
system.
Climate Control System ............................................................... 6-2
Operating Tips ........................................................................... 6-2
Vent Operation .......................................................................... 6-3
Types of the Climate Control System ....................................... 6-5
Manual Type
í.......................................................................... 6-6
Fully Automatic Typeí........................................................... 6-11
Audio System ............................................................................... 6-16
Antenna ................................................................................... 6-16
Operating Tips for Audio System ........................................... 6-16
Audio Set ................................................................................ 6-27
Audio Control Switch Operation (Steering Wheel)
í............. 6-45
Safety Certification ................................................................. 6-48
Interior Equipment ..................................................................... 6-49
Sunvisors ................................................................................. 6-49
Interior Lights ......................................................................... 6-50
Information Display ................................................................ 6-52
Cup Holder .............................................................................. 6-54
Bottle Holder ........................................................................... 6-55
Storage Compartments ............................................................ 6-56
Accessory Sockets .................................................................. 6-57
6-1íSome models.
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (232,1)
Antenna
qDetachable Type
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna, turn it clockwise.
Make sure the antenna is securely
installed.
Install
Remove
CAUTION
lTo prevent damage to the antenna,
remove it before entering a car wash
facility or passing beneath a low
overhead clearance.
lBe careful around the antenna when
removing snow from the roof.
Otherwise the antenna could be
damaged.
NOTE
When leaving your vehicle unattended,
we recommend that you remove the
antenna and store it inside the vehicle.
Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:
Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the vehicle
operation which could lead to a
serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving, adjust
the audio volume to a level that allows
you to hear sounds outside of the
vehicle.
NOTE
lDo not use the audio for long periods
of time while the engine is off.
Otherwise the battery could go dead.
lIf a cellular phone or CB radio is
used in or near the vehicle, it could
cause noise to occur from the audio
system, however, this does not
indicate that the system has been
damaged.
6-16
Interior Comfort
Audio System
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page232
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B