Black plate (140,1)
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Outside mirror
Mirror switchSelector 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
3-64
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page140
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (147,1)
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:
Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area:
Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss
of consciousness or even death could occur.
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when
idling the engine:
Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed
and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which
contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or
even death could occur.
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,
before starting the engine:
Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The
exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.
Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of
consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-5
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page147
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (148,1)
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 the steering wheel adjusted properly?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.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page148
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (149,1)
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.lDo not tow a trailer.
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-7
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page149
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (152,1)
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 8-22.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lUse only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-19).
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-28).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P and block the rear
wheels.
lDo not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
lNever use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
qSnow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not 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.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
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.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tires with
steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page
5-31).
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page152
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (165,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation
í..................................... 5-17
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS) .............................................. 5-23
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ........................................... 5-26
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
í......................................... 5-27
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Systemí................................. 5-33
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-38
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-38
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-43
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-43
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-58
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-60
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-60
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-64
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-65
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-65
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-69
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-70
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-71
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-71
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-72
5-1íSome models.
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page165
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (199,1)
lThe following conditions may affect the visibility of the BSM warning lights on the outside mirror,
making it difficult to confirm the illumination of the lights:
lIce or snow adheres to the surface of the outside mirrors.lThe door window glass is tinted.
qBSM Warning Light/Beep
BSM warning light
Equipped on the left and right door
mirrors.
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the BSM system detects a vehicle in the
detection area while the vehicle is driven
at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph) or
more, the BSM warning light illuminates
on the side of the vehicle where the rear
on-coming vehicle is detected.
NOTE
lIf ice or snow adhere to the outer mirror
surface, the BSM warning light may not be
visible.
lIf the door window glass is tinted, it may
affect the visibility of the BSM warning
light, making it difficult to confirm the
illumination of the light.
BSM warning beep
The warning beep operates when the turn
signal lever is operated to the side where
the BSM warning light is illuminated.
NOTE
The system can be customized so that the BSM
warning beep does not operate. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qBSM OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates
when the BSM system is turned off by
pressing the BSM OFF switch.
The indicator light flashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors
can detect, the system may pause (The BSM
OFF indicator light in the instrument panel
flashes). However, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-35
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page199
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (233,1)
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
Washer OFF
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT (Type
A)/AUTO (Type B) position, the wipers will
operate continuously until the lever is
released.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-28). If it's normal,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
qRear 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 does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-28). If it's normal and
the washer still does not work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-69
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page233
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E