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.
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (224,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
CAUTION
(With AUTO position)
ØDo not shade the light sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on
the windshield. Otherwise the light
sensor will not operate correctly.
Light sensor
ØThe light sensor also works as a
rain sensor for the auto-wiper
control. Keep hands and scrapers
clear of the windshield when the
wiper lever is in the AUTO position
and the ignition switch is in the
ON position as fingers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be
sure the wipers are turned off
completely - this is particularly
important when clearing ice and
snow - when it is particularly
tempting to leave the engine
running.NOTE
lIf the light switch is left on, the lights will
automatically switch off approximately 30
seconds after turning the ignition switch to
the ACC or LOCK position.
lTo prevent discharging the battery, do not
leave the lights on while the engine is off
unless safety requires them.
(With AUTO position)lThe headlights, other exterior lights
and dashboard illumination may not
turn off immediately even if the
surrounding area becomes well-lit
because the light sensor determines that
it is nighttime if the surrounding area is
continuously dark for several minutes
such as inside long tunnels, traffic jams
inside tunnels, or in indoor parking
lots.
In this case, the light turns off if the
light switch is turned to the OFF
position.
lThe timing for turning on the
headlights, other exterior lights and
dashboard illumination can be delayed
by adjusting the sensitivity of the light
sensor. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer regarding sensor adjustment.
lThe sensitivity of the AUTO lights
may be changed by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
lInstrument panel illumination can be
adjusted by rotating the knob in the
instrument cluster. Also, day/night
mode can be changed by pressing the
knob.
To adjust the brightness of the
dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on
page 5-41.
5-60
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (229,1)
Fog Lightsí
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the fog lights on, rotate the fog
light switch to the
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position to turn on the fog lights.
Fog light switch
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the
or OFF
position.
NOTE
lThe fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
l(With auto-light control)
If the fog light switch is in the ON position
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
position, the fog lights will be turned on
when the headlights, the exterior lights and
dashboard illumination are automatically
turned on.
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.
Only use windshield washer fluid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions is
dangerous as it could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident.
In addition, make sure the
windshield is sufficiently warmed
using the defroster before spraying
the washer fluid.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-65íSome models. CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page229
Friday, June 5 2009 2:25 PM
Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (230,1)
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 do not
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.
qWindshield Wipers
Type A (With INT position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT―Intermittent
LO―Low speed
HI―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, press 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
Type B (With AUTO position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
AUTO―Auto control
LO―Low speed
HI―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, press the lever
up to MIST.
MIST―Mist
5-66
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
CX-7_8AS7-EA-09E_Edition2 Page230
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (232,1)
ØWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
ØIf the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object.
ØIf the rain sensor is struck with
a hand or other object from
inside the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of
the windshield when the wiper
lever is in the AUTO position and
the ignition switch is in the ON
position as fingers could be
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when the wipers
activate automatically.
If you are going to clean the
windshield, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely - this is
particularly important when
clearing ice and snow - when it is
particularly tempting to leave the
engine running.NOTE
lSwitching the auto-wiper lever from the
OFF to the AUTO position while driving at
a vehicle speed of 4 km/h (2 mph) or higher
(or after driving the vehicle) activates the
windshield wipers once, after which they
operate according to the rainfall amount.
lThe auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is about
_
10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or about 85 °C
(185 °F) or higher.
lIf the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be able to
sense the amount of rainfall correctly and
auto-wiper control may not operate
properly.
lIf dirt or foreign matter (e.g. ice or matter
containing salt water) adheres to the
windshield above the rain sensor or if the
windshield is iced, it could cause the wipers
to move automatically. However, if the
wipers cannot remove this ice, dirt or
foreign matter, the auto-wiper control will
stop operation. In this case, pull the wiper
lever to the low speed or high speed
position for manual operation, or remove
the ice, dirt or foreign matter by hand to
restore the auto-wiper operation.
5-68
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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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
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (314,1)
Information display
When available, the information display
shows telephone numbers, Bluetooth
Hands-Free messages, and operation
status.
Bluetooth phone connected
Microphone
The microphone is used for speaking
voice commands or exchanging
conversation.
Microphone
Audio unit/7-inch Navigation system
The audio unit or 7-inch navigation
system is used for adjusting the volume.
qVoice
To prevent the deterioration in voice
recognition rate and voice quality, the
following points must be observed:
lIt is not necessary to face the
microphone or approach it. Speak the
voice commands while maintaining a
safe driving position.
lClose the windows and/or the
moonroof to reduce loud noises from
outside the vehicle, or turn down the
airflow of the climate control system
while Bluetooth Hands-Free is being
used. Voice recognition may not
function correctly or voice quality may
deteriorate under the following
conditions.
lA passenger is speaking.lDriving with the window and/or the
moonroof open.
lDriving on bumpy roads.lNoise outside of the vehicle is loud.
(Construction sites, inside tunnels,
excess oncoming traffic, or heavy
rain.)
lOperation noise from turn signals,
wipers, or the horn is heard.
lA/C airflow is strong or wind is
blowing on the microphone.
lThere is noise coming from cargo
loaded in the vehicle.
lVoice commands may not be
recognized depending on the voice. If
the voice commands are not recognized
correctly, repeat the commands in a
louder voice, at a natural pace, as if
speaking to another person.
lDialects or different wording other than
hands-free prompts cannot be
recognized by voice recognition. Speak
in the wording specified by the voice
commands.
6-74
Interior Comfort
Bluetooth Hands-Free
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E
Black plate (414,1)
Wiper Blades
CAUTION
ØHot waxes applied by automatic
car washers have been known to
affect the wiper's ability to clean
windows.
ØTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, or other
solvents on or near them.
ØWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
ØIf the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object.
ØIf the rain sensor is struck with
a hand or other object from
inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When
washing or servicing your Mazda,
make sure the wiper lever is in the
OFF position.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
qReplacing Windshield Wiper Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't try to
sweep the wiper arm by hand.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the wiper arm blades
when raising both the driver and passenger
side wiper arms, raise the driver side wiper
arm first. Conversely, when setting down the
wiper arms, set the passenger side wiper arm
down first.
1. Raise the wiper arm.
2. Open the clip and slide the blade
assembly in the direction of the arrow.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8AS7-EA-09E