
Black plate (8,1)
Interior Equipment (View A)
Power window lock switch ................................................................................ page 3-39
Power window switches .................................................................................... page 3-34
Door-lock knob .................................................................................................. page 3-29
Power door lock switch ..................................................................................... page 3-29
Outside mirror switch ........................................................................................ page 3-58
Headlight leveling switch .................................................................................. page 5-54
TCS-OFF switch ................................................................................................ page 5-22
Lighting control/Turn signals ............................................................................ page 5-52
Dashboard illumination knob ............................................................................ page 5-35
Instrument cluster .............................................................................................. page 5-31
Wiper and washer lever ..................................................................................... page 5-56
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................... page 5-2
Tilt wheel release lever ...................................................................................... page 3-58
Parking brake ....................................................................................................... page 5-5
Hood release handle .......................................................................................... page 3-44
1-2
Your Vehicle at a Glance
The equipment and installation position varies by vehicle
Interior Overview
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page8
Monday, March 13 2006 5:5 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (86,1)
NOTE
lThe setting can be changed so that
the doors and the liftgate are locked
automatically without pressing the
request switch.
(Auto-lock function)
A beep sound is heard when all
doors and the liftgate are closed
while the advanced key is being
carried. All doors and the liftgate are
locked automatically after about 3
seconds when the advanced key is
out of the operational range. Also,
the hazard warning lights flash once.
(Even if the driver is in the
operational range, all doors and the
liftgate are locked automatically after
about 30 seconds.)
If you are out of the operational
range before the doors and the
liftgate are completely closed or
another advanced key is left in the
vehicle, the auto-lock function will
not work. Always make sure that all
doors and the liftgate are locked
before leaving the vehicle (page
3-20).
lAfter unlocking doors and the
liftgate by pressing the request
switch, all doors and the liftgate will
automatically lock if any of the
following operations are not
performed within about 30 seconds.
If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent
system, the hazard warning lights
will flash for confirmation.
lA door or the liftgate is opened.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into
the ignition switch.
lThe start knob is pushed.
qStarting the Engine
Ignition Switch Positions
Without a traditional key, some of the
ignition switch functions are different.
Start knob
LOCK (Released)
The steering wheel locks to help protect
against theft.
LOCK (Depressed)
The ignition switch can be turned to the
ACC position when the KEY indicator
light (green) illuminates in the instrument
cluster.
WARNING
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.
3-10
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page86
Monday, March 13 2006 5:5 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (88,1)
1. Make sure the advanced key is being
carried.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. 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 is not in P or N.
6. Push the start knob slowly all the way
in.
7. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) illuminates in the instrument
cluster. The KEY warning light (red)
means you cannot continue to start the
engine (page 3-21).
NOTE
In the following cases, the KEY
warning light (red) illuminates and the
engine will not start.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.
lThe advanced key is out of
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.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC
position while pushing the start knob
in.
9. Turn the ignition switch from the ACC
position to the START position and
hold (up to 10 seconds at a time) until
the engine starts.
3-12
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page88
Monday, March 13 2006 5:5 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

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
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page141
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
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 (155,1)
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WARNING
Always use lower gears to reduce speed:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious
accident. Use lower gears to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and allow brakes to
cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-12).
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-19
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page155
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

Black plate (156,1)
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
lIf the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
lIf it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks.
Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
4-20
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page156
Monday, March 13 2006 5:6 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B

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