Black plate (139,1)
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
fluid leaks.
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.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (142,1)
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 8-21.
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 8-27).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P and block the
rear wheels.
q Snow 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.
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.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (193,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-43
Door-Ajar Warning Light5-44
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light5-44
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light5-45
AWD Warning Light5-45
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light5-45
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green)5-47
Security Indicator Light5-49
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light5-49
Shift Position Indicator Light5-49
TCS/DSC Indicator Light5-50
TCS OFF Indicator Light5-50
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-51
Light-On Indicator Light5-51
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-51
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-39
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (198,1)
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed.
Driver seated/Front passenger seated
The seat belt warning function reminds
the front passenger to fasten the seat belt
according to the chart below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0 ―20
km/h
(0 ― 12 mph) 20 km/h
(12 mph) or more
Seat belt
(Driver)
Seat belt
(Passenger)
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
Placing heavy items on the front
passenger seat may cause the front
passenger seat belt warning function to
operate depending on the weight of the
item.
Once the beep sound is heard, it continues
sounding even if the vehicle speed lowers
to 20 km/h (12 mph) or less until the
seatbelt is fastened or the beep sound
period has passed. NOTE
lTo allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place
and sit on an additional seat cushion on the
front passenger seat. The sensor may not
function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor
interference.
lWhen a small child sits on the front
passenger seat, it is possible that neither
the warning light nor the warning beep
operate.
q
Door-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when any
door or liftgate is not securely closed.
Close the door or liftgate securely before
driving the vehicle.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-27).
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page198
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (211,1)
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident.
Do not use the washer without first
warming the windshield and never use
plain tap water: Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing temperatures is dangerous.
The washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam the wiper
blades, the wiper motor is protected from
motor breakdown, overheating and possible
fire by a circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the blades, but
only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper switch and
park off the right-of-way, and remove the snow
and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and the
blades should operate normally. If they don't
resume functioning, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible. Drive to
the side of the road and park off the right-of-
way. Wait until the weather clears before trying
to drive with the wipers inoperative.
q Windshield Wipers
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT ―Intermittent
1 ― Low speed
2 ― High speed
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
MIST ―Mist
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
INT ring
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-57
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (212,1)
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
position, the wipers will operate continuously
until the lever is released.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-27). If it's OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
q Rear Window Wiper
Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.
ON ―Normal
INT ―Intermittent
qRear Window Washer
To spray washer fluid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to the
position. After
the switch is released, the washer will
stop.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-27). If it's OK and the
washer still doesn't work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
CX-7_8X59-EA-07E_Edition3 Page212
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (293,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance (USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico) ....... 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico) ............................................. 8-9
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-16 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-16
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-17
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-18
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-19
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-21
Brake Fluid ............................................................................. 8-23
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-24
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-25
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-27
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-28
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-28
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-32
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-34
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-39
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-45
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-50 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-50
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-52
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-55
8-1
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (299,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections II
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes IIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages II
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial play II
Rear differential oil (AWD)
*4*5
Transfer oil (AWD)*5
Driveshaft dust boots II
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body TT
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hinges LLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-7
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E