
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
Note:The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake.
Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) SYSTEM
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system provides the following
stability enhancement features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel spin
and loss of traction
•Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
•Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), which functions to help avoid a
vehicle roll-over
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normal system self-check, or during driving if a driving situation causes
the DSC system to operate. The stability control off light will illuminate if
traction control or trailer sway control are disabled after pressing the
TCS OFF switch. If the stability control light remains steadily
illuminated, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™in theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
When DSC performs a normal system self-check, some drivers may
notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a rumble, grunting, or
grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates DSC, you may experience the
following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control light will flash.
•A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction control (TCS)
Traction control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem: engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During traction control events, the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the traction control system is activated excessively in a short period of
time, the braking portion of the system may become temporarily disabled
to allow the brakes to cool down. In this situation, traction control will
use only engine power reduction or transfer to help control the wheels
from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the system will
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provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, whenever the battery is
disconnected or a new battery installed, the strategy must be relearned.
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic
transmission
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage while coasting or decelerating. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down, the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
engine while decelerating. This fuel economy benefit may be perceived
as a light to medium braking sensation when removing your foot from
the accelerator pedal.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop.
2. Move the gearshift lever and
securely latch it in P (Park).
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
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Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, set the
parking brake and activate
hazard flashers.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or R
(Reverse) (manual
transmission) and turn engine
off.
Removing the jack and tools
The jack and tools are located under
the carpeted load floor.
Pull back the carpet away from the
liftgate, and remove the hardboard
cover. If your vehicle is equipped
with a cargo management system,
the jack and tools are in the forward
compartment under a lid.
Unbuckle the strap and remove the
jack and tools by pulling the right
side up first. Remove the tools from
the jack in order to remove the
spare tire from under the vehicle.
BRAKE RELEASE P 
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carrier will ratchet when the tire is in the fully stowed position. The
spare tire carrier has a built-in ratchet feature that will not allow you
to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier ratchets with very little effort,
take the vehicle to your authorized Mazda dealer for assistance at
your earliest convenience. If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer
hitch, guide the tire with one hand; keep the rear of the tire tilted
down until the tire clears the bumper.
6. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame assembly. Push against
the tire to make sure it is tightly seated under the vehicle. Loosen
and retighten, if necessary. (Make sure that the tire does not contact
the bumper.)
WARNING:Failure to stow the spare tire may result in the
failure of the winch cable and the loss of the spare tire. A loose
tire on the highway is a very dangerous object to other people on the
road. Check to be sure the tire is firmly mounted; go to an authorized
dealer to have it re-mounted if you have any doubt about spare tire
security.
7. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months), or at any time that the spare tire is
disturbed through service of other components.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
ft-lb N•m
M12 x 1.5 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Mazda recommended replacement fasteners.
WARNING:When a wheel is installed, always remove any
corrosion, dirt or foreign materials present on the mounting
surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or
brake disc that contacts the wheel. Ensure that any fasteners that
attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they do not interfere with
the mounting surfaces of the wheel. Installing wheels without correct
metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the
wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in
motion, resulting in loss of control.
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Working with the engine on
1. For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, set the
parking brake and shift to P (Park). For vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission, set the parking brake, press and hold the
clutch pedal, place the gearshift in N (Neutral), and release the
clutch pedal.
2. Block the wheels.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries, do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under
the bottom of the instrument
panel.
2. At the front of the vehicle, lift
up on the auxiliary latch handle
located in the center between
the hood and the grille.
3. Lift the hood open and secure it with the prop rod.
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To replace the wiper blade:
1. Grab the wiper arm with one
hand close to the arm/blade
joint and pull it as far away
from the glass as possible. Do
not use excessive force because
it can break the wiper arm at
the heel. Hold it there until the
next step.
2. Grab the primary structure of
the blade with the other hand
close to the arm/blade joint.
3. Grip tightly and press on the arm/blade joint from beneath and
separate the blade from the arm.
4. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into
place until a click is heard.
If you find this procedure too
difficult, please see your dealer.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual
transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick.
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Checking and adding manual transmission fluid (if equipped)
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully –
put in first gear.
3. Ensure the vehicle cannot move.
4. Clean the filler plug.
5. Remove the filler plug, located
on the lower, forward driver
side of the transmission, and
inspect the fluid level.
6. Fluid level should be at bottom of the opening.
7. Add enough fluid through the filler opening so that the fluid level is
at the bottom of the opening.
8. Install and tighten the fill plug securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer to the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in this
chapter.
AIR FILTER
Refer toscheduled maintenancefor the appropriate intervals for
changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, only use a genuine Mazda air filter
element.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
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