2008 MAZDA MODEL CX-7 engine

Black plate (169,1)
NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear fixed
mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
GearVehicle speed
M6 →M5 220 km/h (136 mph)
M5 →M4 50 km/h (31 mph)
M4 →M3 30 km/h (18 mph)
M3 or M2 →M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
q Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page169
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (170,1)
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 stiffer than usual
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.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page170
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (176,1)
lPress the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15 km/h (9
mph) below the preset speed (such as may
happen when climbing a long, steep grade) or
below 30 km/h (19 mph).
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 on the
front wheels only 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.
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page176
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (177,1)
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.
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 remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The
dynamic stability control may have a
malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-23
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page177
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (179,1)
NOTElWhen 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.
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.
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page179
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

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 5-34
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-34
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................................................................. page 5-35
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-36
Dashboard Illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-33
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page187
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (189,1)
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).
q Tachometer
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-35
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page189
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E

Black plate (190,1)
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine
can cause serious engine damage
(page 7-11).
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.
q Dashboard Illumination
Rotate the knob to adjust the brightness of
the instrument cluster and other
illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard illuminations
can be adjusted when the headlight switch
is in the
orposition.lWhen the dashboard illumination
brightness cannot be adjusted any more, a
beep sound will be heard.
l(Black-out meter)
The brightness of the instrument cluster
illumination can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in any position.
Dim
Bright
Canceling the illumination dimmer
(Black-out meter and dashboard
illuminations)
When the headlight switch is in the
or
position, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity.
5-36
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page190
Wednesday, July 25 2007 3:18 PM
Form No.8X59-EA-07E