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Steering Wheel
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving:
Adjusting the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident.
qSteering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, pull up the lock
release lever under the steering
column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, push the lever down to lock
the column.
3. Push the wheel up and down to be
certain it's locked before driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (front passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Be sure to look over your shoulder
before changing lanes:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears.
Power mirror
The ignition must be switched to ACC or
ON.
To adjust:
1. Press the left or right side of the
selector switch to choose the left or
right side mirror.
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Selector switchMirror switch
After adjusting the mirror, lock the control
by placing the selector switch in the
middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
flush with the vehicle.
WARNING
Always return the outside mirrors to
the driving position before you start
driving:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident.
qRearview Mirror
WARNING
Do not stack cargo or objects higher
than the seatbacks:
Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes.
Rearview mirror adjustment
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Manual day/night mirror
Auto-dimming mirror
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NOTE
For the manual day/night mirror, perform the
adjustment with the day/night lever in the day
position.
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Night DayDay/Night lever
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition is switched ON.Press the ON/OFF button (
) to cancel
the automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will turn off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON/OFF button (
).
The indicator light will illuminate.
ON/OFF button Indicator light
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Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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NOTElDo not use glass cleaner or suspend objects
on or around the light sensor. Otherwise,
light sensor sensitivity will be affected and
may not operate normally.
Light sensor
Light sensor
lThe auto-dimmer function is canceled when
the ignition is switched ON and the shift
lever/selector lever is in reverse (R).
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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/clutch 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 the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition is switched ON.
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
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Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
lDo not race the engine.lDo not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDo not drive constantly at full-throttle
or high engine rpm for extended
periods of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.lAvoid full-throttle starts.
Money-Saving Suggestions
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.lKeep the tires properly inflated.lDo not carry unnecessary weight.lDo not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.lKeep windows closed at high speeds.lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause
damage to the drivetrain. Any loss of
steering or braking control could
cause an accident.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Ignition Switch
With advanced key
Refer to“Starting the engine (page 3-11)”
for information on how to use the ignition
switch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
(Without Advanced Key)
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the button when the
key is at the ACC position, then turn the
key to the LOCK position.
Button
Push the
button
Automatic transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
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Starting and Driving
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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
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the shift lever is
in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear
or R (manual transaxle):
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching off the ignition, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the shift
lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to
1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to
leave the vehicle for even a short
period, it is important to switch the
ignition off, as leaving it in another
position will disable some of the
vehicle's security systems and run the
battery down.
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the steering
wheel from side to side.
Leaving the key in any position but LOCK
position also disables some of the security
features and may run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-39).
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard. This
does not indicate an abnormality.
NOTE
(With headlight auto-leveling)
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the sound of the headlight leveling
motors operating at the front of the engine
compartment can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-39).
qIgnition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched to off (LOCK)
or ACC with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
NOTE
A personalized function is available to change
the sound volume for the ignition key reminder.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-9.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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