
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 (145,1)
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all
four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-28).
qTire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
lChains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
lChains may affect handling.
lDon't go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
lDrive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
lAvoid locked-wheel braking.
lDon't use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire.
lDon't use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don't use chains on the rear tires.
Use only genuine Mazda tire chains.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page145
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (174,1)
lMake sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specified size,
on all wheels. With AWD, the system
is calibrated for all four wheels being
of the same dimensions.
Tire chains
lInstall tire chains to the front tires.
lDo not drive the vehicle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
lDo not drive the vehicle with tire
chains on road conditions other than
snow or ice.
qTowing
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all four wheels completely off
the ground(page 7-19).
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under
the following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
lHilly terrainlSteep inclineslHeavy or unsteady trafficlSlippery or winding roadslSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
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.
5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page174
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
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
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page182
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
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
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page215
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (294,1)
WARNING
Towing a AWD Vehicle:
Towing a AWD vehicle with either the
front or rear wheels on the ground is
dangerous as the drive train could be
damaged, or the vehicle could trail
away from the tow truck and cause an
accident. Always tow a AWD vehicle
with all four wheels off the ground. If
the drive train has been damaged,
transport the vehicle on a flat bed
truck.
Tiedown Hooks
CAUTION
Don't use the tiedown hooks under the
front and rear for towing.
They are designed ONLY for tying
down the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using them for towing will
damage the bumper.
qTiedown Hooks
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet, lug
wrench, and jack lever from the trunk
(page 7-3).
2. Wrap the jack lever with a soft cloth to
prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front and
rear bumper.
7-20
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page294
Monday, March 13 2006 5:7 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (401,1)
C
Child Restraint
Child restraint precautions ......... 2-27
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-31
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-40
Child Safety Locks for Rear Doors ... 3-31
Climate Control System ...................... 6-2
Gas specifications ...................... 10-5
Clock ................................................. 6-53
Cruise Control ................................... 5-18
Cup Holder ........................................ 6-54
Customer Assistance ........................... 9-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 5-35
Daytime Running Lights ................... 5-54
Defroster
Rear window .............................. 5-58
Dimensions ....................................... 10-5
Door Locks ....................................... 3-28
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 4-10
Driving Tips ........................................ 4-6
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-15
Break-in period ............................ 4-6
Driving in flooded area .............. 4-10
Hazardous driving ........................ 4-7
Money-saving suggestions ........... 4-6
Rocking the vehicle ...................... 4-8
Turbocharged vehicles ............... 4-12
Winter driving .............................. 4-8
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 5-25
TCS/DSC Indicator light ............ 5-25
E
Emergency Starting ........................... 7-14
Flooded engine ........................... 7-14
Jump-starting .............................. 7-15
Push-starting .............................. 7-18
Emergency Towing ........................... 7-19
Emission Control System .................... 4-3
Engine
Coolant ....................................... 8-14
Exhaust gas .................................. 4-4
Hood release .............................. 3-44
Oil .............................................. 8-12
Overheating ................................ 7-12
Starting ......................................... 5-3
Engine Compartment Overview ........ 8-11
Engine Coolant
Overheating ................................ 7-12
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge ................................................ 5-34
Exhaust Gas ........................................ 4-4
Exterior Care ..................................... 8-47
F
Flasher
Hazard warning .......................... 5-59
Headlights .................................. 5-52
Flat Tire ............................................... 7-3
Changing ...................................... 7-6
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Fluids
Classification .............................. 10-4
Owner maintenance ..................... 8-8
Fog Lights ......................................... 5-55
Front ........................................... 5-55
Foot Brake .......................................... 5-4
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Operation
AWD Warning light ................... 5-17
Index
11-3
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page401
Monday, March 13 2006 5:8 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (402,1)
F
Four-Wheel Drive
(AWD) Operation ............................. 5-16
Front Seats
(Electrically Operated Seats) ............... 2-5
Front Seats
(Manually Operated Seats) ................. 2-2
Fuel
Filler lid and cap ........................ 3-42
Gauge ......................................... 5-34
Requirements ............................... 4-2
Tank capacity ............................. 10-5
Fuses ................................................. 8-40
Panel description ........................ 8-42
Replacement ............................... 8-40
G
Glove Box ......................................... 6-56
H
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 5-59
Hazardous Driving .............................. 4-7
Headlights
Control ....................................... 5-52
Flashing ...................................... 5-54
High-low beam .......................... 5-54
Leveling ..................................... 5-54
On reminder ............................... 5-53
Hood Release .................................... 3-44
Horn .................................................. 5-59
I
Ignition
Keys ........................................... 3-22
Switch .......................................... 5-2
Illuminated Entry System ................. 6-50
I
Immobilizer System
(with Advanced Key) ........................ 3-50
Immobilizer System
(without Advanced Key) ................... 3-53
Indicator Lights ................................. 5-36
Cruise ......................................... 5-49
Headlight high-beam .................. 5-47
Security ...................................... 5-47
Shift position .............................. 5-47
TCS OFF .................................... 5-48
TCS/DSC ................................... 5-48
Turn-signal/hazard warning ....... 5-49
Information Display .......................... 6-52
Ambient temperature display ..... 6-53
Audio display ............................. 6-54
Climate control display .............. 6-54
Clock .......................................... 6-53
Information display functions .... 6-52
Instrument Cluster ............................. 5-31
Interior Care ...................................... 8-50
Interior Lights ................................... 6-50
J
Jump-Starting .................................... 7-15
K
Keyless Entry System ....................... 3-23
Keys .................................................. 3-22
L
Label Information ............................. 10-2
Lane-Change Signals ........................ 5-55
Liftgate .............................................. 3-31
Luggage compartment ............... 3-33
11-4
Index
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page402
Monday, March 13 2006 5:8 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B