
Black plate (154,1)
Manual Transaxle Operation
qManual Transaxle Shift Pattern
Neutral position
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device to
prevent shifting to R (reverse) by mistake.
Push the shift lever downward and shift to
R.
WARNING
Do not use sudden engine braking on
slippery road surfaces or at high
speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
Be sure to leave the shift lever in 1 or R
position and set the parking brake
when leaving the vehicle unattended: Otherwise the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
ØKeep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
do not use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the
clutch will cause needless clutch
wear and damage.
Ø Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is
still moving may damage the
transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again.
5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Black plate (166,1)
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the cruise control SET -
switch. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
qTo Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 32 km/h (20 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed (such as applying the brake pedal)
and the system is still activated, the most
recent set speed will automatically resume
when the RESUME switch is pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 32 km/h (20
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 32
km/h (20 mph) or more and press the
RESUME switch.
qTo Cancel
To cancel the system, use oneof these
methods:
lPull down the ON/OFF switch.lSlightly depress the brake pedal.lDepress the clutch pedal (Manual
transaxle only).
lPress the CANCEL switch.
The system turns 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).
5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Black plate (198,1)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the KEY
warning light illuminated:If the KEY warning light remains
illuminated, do not continue to drive
using the advanced key system. Park
the vehicle in a safe place and use
the auxiliary key to continue driving
the vehicle. Have the vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
When flashing
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes to
inform the driver that the push button
start will not switch to ACC even if it
is pressed from off.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.lThe advanced key is not within
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.
lUnder the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) will flash
continuously when the push button
start has not been pressed off to notify
the driver that the advanced key has
been removed. The KEY warning light
(red) will stop flashing when the
advanced key is back inside the
vehicle:
lThe push button start has not been
pressed off, the driver's door is
open, and the advanced key is
removed from the vehicle.
lThe push button start has not been
pressed off and all the doors are
closed after removing the advanced
key from the vehicle.
NOTE
Because the advanced key utilizes low-intensity
radio waves, the Advanced Key Removed From
Vehicle Warning may activate if the advanced
key is carried together with a metal object or it
is placed in a poor signal reception area.
KEY Indicator Light (Green)
When illuminated
When the brake pedal is depressed with
an automatic transaxle or the clutch pedal
is depressed with a manual transaxle, the
system confirms that the correct advanced
key is inside the vehicle, the KEY
indicator light (green) illuminates, and the
push button start can be pressed to ACC
(page 3-10).
When flashing
When the push button start is pressed off
from ON, the KEY indicator light (green)
flashes for approximately 30 seconds
indicating that the remaining battery
power is low. Replace with a new battery
before the advanced key becomes
unusable.
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Black plate (337,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
Except 3.7-liter engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
(Without Advanced Keyless Entry &
Push Button Start System)
1. If the engine does not start within fiveseconds on the first try, turn the key to
the LOCK position, wait ten seconds
and try again.
2. Depress the accelerator all the way and hold it there.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold it there ―for up to
ten seconds. If the engine starts, release
the key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
4. If the engine fails to start, crank it without depressing the accelerator ―for
up to ten seconds.
(With Advanced Keyless Entry & Push
Button Start System)
1. If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try, wait ten
seconds and try again.
2. Depress the accelerator all the way and hold it there.
3. Depress the clutch pedal then press the push button start. If the engine starts,
release the key and accelerator
immediately because the engine will
suddenly rev up.
4. If the engine fails to start, crank it without depressing the accelerator. If the engine still does not start using the
above procedure, have your vehicle
inspected by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
7-13
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Black plate (343,1)
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) ............................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-15 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-15
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-16
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-18
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-19
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-21
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-22
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-23
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF) ........................................... 8-24
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-27
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-28
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-28
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-31
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-32
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-37
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-46
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-52 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-52
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-54
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-57
8-1
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Black plate (357,1)
Owner Maintenance Schedule
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle inspections at the
indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an Authorized Mazda Dealer or qualified service
technician as soon as possible.
qWhen Refueling
lBrake and clutch fluid level (page 8-22)lEngine coolant level (page 8-21)lEngine oil level (page 8-20)lWasher fluid level (page 8-27)
qAt Least Monthly
Tire inflation pressures (page 8-32)
qAt Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
lAutomatic transaxle fluid level (page 8-24)
You can do the following scheduled maintenance items if you have some mechanical
ability and a few basic tools and if you closely follow the directions in this manual.
lEngine coolant (page 8-21)lEngine oil (page 8-19)
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-15
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Black plate (360,1)
Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
(only for automatic transaxle)Brake/Clutch
fluid reservoir
Brake fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir Engine oil-filler cap
Engine oil-filler capWindscreen washer
fluid reservoir
Windscreen washer
fluid reservoir Fuse block
BatteryEngine oil dipstick
Engine oil dipstick
Fuse block
BatteryEngine coolant
reservoir Engine coolant
reservoir
Automatic transaxle fluid-level dipstick
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Black plate (364,1)
CAUTION
ØRadiator coolant will damage
paint.
Rinse it off quickly if spilled.
Ø Use only soft (demineralized)
water in the coolant mixture.
Water that contains minerals will
cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.
Ø Don't add only water. Always add
a proper coolant mixture.
Ø The engine has aluminum parts
and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.
Ø DO NOT USE coolants Containing
Alcohol, methanol, Borate or
Silicate.
These coolants could damage the
cooling system.
Ø DO NOT MIX alcohol or methanol
with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.
Ø Don't use a solution that contains
more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake/Clutch Fluid
qInspecting Brake/Clutch Fluid Level
The brakes and clutch draw fluid from the
same reservoir.
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir
regularly. It should be kept at MAX.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and clutch
linings. If it is excessively low, have the
brake/clutch system inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
2.5-liter engine
3.7-liter engine
8-22
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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