NOTElUse of tire chains on a vehicle equipped
with P225/40R18 specification tires could
cause interference with the vehicle body
and scratching. If tire chains are to be used,
replace both front and rear tires with P
205/50R17 tires. Please consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain
bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2
―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short
circuiting of electrical/electronic
parts, or engine damage or stalling
from water absorption. If the vehicle
has been immersed in water, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-11
Ignition Switch
With advanced key
Refer to“Starting the engine (page 3-12)”
for information on how to use the ignition
switch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
(Without Advanced Key)
OFF
The power supply to electrical devices is
turned off. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
WARNING
Do not stop the engine while the
vehicle is moving:
Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving for any reason other than
in an emergency is dangerous.
Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving will result in reduced
braking ability due to the loss of
power braking, which could cause an
accident and serious injury.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition to OFF, set the
parking brake and make sure the shift
lever is in P (automatic transaxle) or in
1st gear or R (manual transaxle):
It is important to switch the ignition
to OFF even if you are not removing
the key from the ignition or leaving
the vehicle. Leaving the key in other
positions will disable some of the
vehicle security systems and run the
battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
switching the ignition to OFF, 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. This could
cause an accident.
ACC (Accessory)
In this position, some electrical
accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-47).
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CAUTION
ØDo not drive with your foot held
on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
ØThe clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
ØThe brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake
performance.
ØAlways depress the brake pedal
with the right foot. Applying the
brakes with the unaccustomed left
foot could slow your reaction time
to an emergency situation
resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
ØWear shoes appropriate for driving
in order to avoid your shoe
contacting the brake pedal when
depressing the accelerator pedal.
qParking Brake
WARNING
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 the ignition off, 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.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-53
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-53
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light 5-53
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-54
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-54
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-54
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-54
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-55
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-57
Security Indicator Light 5-58
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-59
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-59
Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light (Blue) 5-59
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-59
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-60
AFS OFF Indicator Light 5-60
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil
pressure is low. Otherwise, it could
result in extensive engine damage.
If the light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way on level ground.
2. Turn off the engine and wait 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
3. Inspect the engine oil level (page 8-23).
If it's low, add the appropriate amount
of engine oil while being careful not to
overfill.
CAUTION
Do not run the engine if the oil level
is low. Otherwise, it could result in
extensive engine damage.
4. Start the engine and check the warning
light.
If the light remains illuminated even
though the oil level is normal or after
adding oil, stop the engine immediately
and have your vehicle towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qCheck Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may illuminate in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
qHigh Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light (Red)
When the ignition is switched ON, the
light illuminates momentarily and then
turns off.
The light flashes when the engine coolant
temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load.
5-52
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
qSeat Belt Warning Light
With warning light for front
passenger's seat
The seat belt warning light illuminates if
the driver or front passenger's seat belt is
not fastened (only when the front
passenger seat is occupied) seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition switched ON.
Without warning light for front
passenger's seat
The seat belt warning light illuminates if
the driver's seat belt is not fastened when
the ignition switched ON.
qDoor-Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when any
door, trunk, or liftgate is not securely
closed.
Close the door, trunk, or liftgate securely
before driving the vehicle.
qLow Washer Fluid Level
Warning Lightí
This warning light indicates that little
washer fluid remains. Add fluid (page
8-29).
qAutomatic Transaxle Warning
Light (Automatic Transaxle)
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The light illuminates when the transaxle
has a problem.
CAUTION
If the automatic transaxle warning
light illuminates, the transaxle has
an electrical problem. Continuing to
drive your Mazda in this condition
could cause damage to your
transaxle. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
5-54
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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 3-12).
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.Refer to Service on page 3-7.
NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-13.
qSecurity Indicator Light
This indicator light starts flashing every 2
seconds when the ignition is switched
from ON to ACC and the immobilizer
system is armed.
The light stops flashing when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct ignition
key.
At this time, the immobilizer system is
disarmed and the light illuminates for
about 3 seconds and then turns off.
If the engine does not start with the
correct ignition key, and the security
indicator light keeps illuminating or
flashing, the system may have a
malfunction. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Antenna
qAntenna (4 Door)
AM/FM Radio Antenna
The antenna is printed onto the window
glass.
CAUTION
When washing the inside of the
window which has an antenna, use a
soft cloth dampened in lukewarm
water, gently wiping the antenna
lines.
Use of glass cleaning products could
damage the antenna.
Satellite Radio Antennaí
The satellite radio antenna receives
SIRIUS signals.
qAntenna (5 Door)
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna, turn it clockwise.
Make sure the antenna is securely
installed.
AM/FM Radio Antennaí
The AM/FM radio antenna receives both
AM and FM signals.
RemoveInstall
Antenna for AM/FM and Satellite
Radio Antennaí
The antenna for AM/FM and satellite
radio antenna receives both AM and FM
signals and SIRIUS signals.
RemoveInstall
CAUTION
ØTo prevent damage to the
antenna, remove it before entering
a car wash facility or passing
beneath a low overhead clearance.
ØBe careful around the antenna
when removing snow from the
roof. Otherwise the antenna could
be damaged.
6-16
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Audio System