Black plate (141,1)
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 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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
4-5
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (144,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing 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 D to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, 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 8-14.
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 8-20).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P and block the
rear wheels.
qSnow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page144
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
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 (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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Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (202,1)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the KEY
warning light illuminated:
If the KEY warning light remains
illuminated, do not continue to drive
using the advanced key system. Park
the vehicle in a safe place and use the
auxiliary key to continue driving the
vehicle. Have the vehicle inspected at
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
When flashing
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes to
inform the driver that the start knob
will not rotate to the ACC position
even if it is pushed in from the LOCK
position.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is not within
operational range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas
where it is difficult for the system to
detect the signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer
similar to the advanced key is in the
operational range.
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the start knob has
not been returned to the LOCK
position to notify the driver that the
advanced key has been removed from
the vehicle. It will stop flashing when
the advanced key is back inside the
vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position, the driver's
door is open, and the advanced key
is removed from the vehicle.
lThe start knob has not been returned
to the LOCK position and all the
doors are closed after removing the
advanced key from the vehicle.
NOTE
The flashing KEY warning light (red)
and the beep sound operate
simultaneously (page 3-21).
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the start knob is pushed in from the
LOCK position, the system confirms that
the correct advanced key is inside the
vehicle, the KEY indicator light (green)
illuminates, and the start knob can be
turned to the ACC position (page 3-10).
When flashing
When the advanced key battery power is
low, the KEY indicator light flashes for 30
seconds after the start knob is turned from
the ON position to the ACC or LOCK
position. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable (page 3-6).
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page202
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (207,1)
qSeat Belt Warning Beep
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened and
the vehicle is driven at a speed faster than
about 20 km/h (12 mph), a beep sound
will be heard again for a specified period
of time.
Refer to Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep on
page 5-41.
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.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is
used and the start knob is in the ACC
position, the“Start Knob Not in LOCK
Warning Beep”(page 3-17) overrides
the lights-on reminder.
qParking Brake Reminder
If the parking brake has not been
completely released and the vehicle is
driven at about 5 km/h (3 mph) or faster, a
continuous beep sound will be heard to
notify the driver that the parking brake
has not been released.
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beep
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-26).
qAdvanced Keyless Warning
Warning indicators for the advanced key,
such as“the advanced key removed from
vehicle warning”, use a beep sound and
warning/indicator lights in the instrument
cluster.
Refer to Warning and Beep Sounds on
page 3-17.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-51
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (209,1)
CAUTION
Do not shade the light sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on the
windshield, or putting an object on it.
Otherwise the light sensor will not
operate correctly.
Sensor
NOTE
lWhen the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is turned to the ACC or
LOCK position, the headlights, other
exterior lights and dashboard
illumination will turn off.
lThe timing for turning on the
headlights, other exterior lights and
dashboard illumination can be
delayed by adjusting the sensitivity
of the light sensor. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer regarding
sensor adjustment.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement is
necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted
and a replacement is necessary. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a continuous
beep sound will be heard when the
driver's door is opened.
NOTE
When the advanced keyless function is
used and the start knob is in the ACC
position, the“Start Knob Not in LOCK
Warning Beep”(page 3-17) overrides
the lights-on reminder.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-53íSome models. CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page209
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Black plate (266,1)
Interior Lights
qIlluminated Entry System
When the illuminated entry system
operates, the overhead light (switch is in
the DOOR position) turn on for:
lAbout 30 seconds after the driver's
door is unlocked and the ignition key is
removed.
lAbout 15 seconds after all doors are
closed (If your vehicle is equipped with
the advanced key, the overhead light
turns on for about 5 seconds when the
advanced key is outside of the vehicle).
lAbout 15 seconds after the key is
removed from the ignition with all
doors closed.
The light also turns off when:
lThe ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and all doors are closed.
lThe driver's door is locked.
NOTE
Battery saver
If any door is left opened, the light goes
out after about 30 minutes to save the
battery.
The light turns on again when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, or when any door is opened
after all doors have been closed.
qOverhead Lights
Front
Switch
PositionFront Overhead Lights
Light off
lLight on when any door is open
lLight on or off when the
illuminated entry system is on
Rear
Switch
PositionRear Overhead Lights
Light off
lLight on when any door is open
lLight on or off when the
illuminated entry system is on
Light on
6-50
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page266
Monday, March 13 2006 5:7 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B