2007 MAZDA MODEL CX-7 engine

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
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (178,1)
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS is operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page178
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (180,1)
qTCS OFF Switch
If the vehicle speed is less than 30 km/h
(18 mph), 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. If the vehicle speed is less
than 30 km/h (18 mph), the TCS OFF
indicator light will not illuminate even if
switch is pressed the switch.
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.
NOTE
lIf the TCS is OFF when the vehicle
speed is more than 30 km/h (18
mph), it automatically activates and
the TCS OFF indicator light will turn
off.
lIf the TCS OFF switch is pressed
and held for 10 seconds or more, the
TCS OFF switch malfunction
detection function operates and the
TCS system activates automatically.
The TCS OFF indicator light turns
off while the TCS system is
operative.
5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page180
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (181,1)
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 5-7) and TCS (page
5-22).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
WARNING
Do not rely on the dynamic stability
control as a substitute for safe driving:
The dynamic stability control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
lUse tires of the correct size
specified for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
lUse tires of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
lDo not mix worn tires.
lThe DSC may not operate correctly
when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS or DSC is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page181
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (187,1)
Meters and Gauges
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-32
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-32
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-34
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-34
Dashboard Illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-31
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page187
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (190,1)
qTachometer
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
7-12).
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.
Low fuel
warning light
NOTE
The direction of the arrow () shown
next to the low fuel warning light
indicates that the fuel-filler lid is on the
left side of the vehicle.
5-34
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page190
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (192,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-38
Charging System Warning Light 5-39
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-40
Check Engine Light 5-40
ABS Warning Light 5-38
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-41
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-41
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page192
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (194,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-16).
2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes out have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes
an indicator of leakage. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible even if the brake light is no
longer illuminated.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated, and contact
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving with the brake system warning
light illuminated is dangerous. It
indicates that your brakes may not
work at all or that they could
completely fail at any time. If this light
remains illuminated, after checking
that the parking brake is fully
released, have the brakes inspected
immediately.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page194
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B