Black plate (183,1)
qParking Brake
WARNING
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:
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 is dangerous.
Unexpected vehicle movement could
occur. This could cause an accident.
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 4-10) regarding parking brake use.
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then depress the
parking brake pedal fully.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal, then depress the
parking brake pedal until it releases.
Gradually let up on the parking brake
pedal.
NOTE
Release the parking brake pedal once before
trying to reapply it.
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Black plate (184,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-25).
2. After adding fluid, check the light
again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off, have your
brake system inspected as soon as
possible by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your
brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
qParking Brake Reminder
If the parking brake has not been
completely released and the vehicle is
driven at about 5 km/h (3 mph) or faster, a
continuous beep sound will be heard to
notify the driver that the parking brake
has not been released.
qAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue
to depress the brake pedal without
pumping the brakes.
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WARNING
Do not rely on ABS or RSC as a
substitute for safe driving:
The ABS and RSC cannot compensate
for unsafe and reckless driving,
excessive speed, tailgating (following
another vehicle too closely), driving
on ice and snow, and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
lBraking distances may be longer on loose
surfaces (snow or gravel, for example)
which usually have a hard foundation. A
vehicle with a normal braking system may
require less distance to stop under these
conditions because the tires will build up a
wedge of surface layer when the wheels
skid.
lThe sound of the ABS operating may be
heard when starting the engine or
immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a malfunction.
qABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
lWhen the engine is jump-started to charge
the battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs,
it is the result of the weak battery and does
not indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
lThe brake assist system does not operate
while the ABS warning light is illuminated.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
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Form No.8CM9-EA-12I
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Automatic Transaxle Controls
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition
must be switched to ACC or ON).
Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position. Various Lockouts:
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transaxle giving the
driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leaving it to the transaxle to shift gears. Even if
you intend to use the automatic transaxle functions as a traditional automatic, you should also be
aware that you can inadvertently shift into manual shift mode and an inappropriate gear may be
retained as the vehicle speed increases. If you notice the engine speed going higher or hear the
engine racing, confirm you have not accidentally slipped into manual shift mode (page 5-13).
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qActive Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transaxle shift
points to best suit the road conditions and
driver input. This improves driving
comfort.
If the driver accelerates rapidly, or
accelerates and decelerates rapidly by
operating the accelerator and brake pedal
for a certain period of time while the shift
lever is in the D position, AAS mode
could activate.
When cornering the vehicle, AAS mode
will hold the transaxle in the gear the
vehicle was in before entering the curve,
allowing the vehicle to be accelerated
from the same gear after exiting the curve.
AAS mode will maintain the transaxle in
the optimum gear and the driver may
sense that the transaxle is not shifting,
however this does not indicate an
abnormality.
qShift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Move the shift lever.
NOTE
lWhen the ignition is switched off, the shift
lever cannot be shifted from P.
lTo be sure the vehicle is in park,the
ignition key cannot be removed unless the
shift lever is in P.
l(With Advanced Key)
The ignition cannot be switched from ACC
to OFF when the shift lever is not in P.
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual shift mode while driving
will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode when
the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to
M1.
lIf you change to manual shift mode without
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 5th gear, the gear will
shift to M4.
lIf you change to manual shift mode without
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 6th gear, the gear will
shift to M5.
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qAWD Driving
WARNING
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvering of this vehicle is
dangerous as it could result in the
increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle roll-over, personal
injury or death.
This vehicle has a higher center of
gravity. Vehicles with a higher center
of gravity such as utility and AWD
vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of
gravity.
Utility and AWD vehicles are not
designed for cornering at high speeds
any more than low profile sports cars
are designed to perform satisfactorily
under off-road conditions. In
addition, utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
RSC might help if you get into
trouble, but then it might not be able
to allow you to fully recover, always
drive carefully with the vehicle's
height in mind.
Drive carefully when the vehicle is
loaded by lowering vehicle speed and
applying the brakes earlier:
Abrupt maneuvering and sudden
braking when driving a loaded
vehicle is dangerous as the driving
behavior of a vehicle with a high
center of gravity is different when it is
loaded compared to when it is not,
and could result in the loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
qAWD Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
Thereafter, the warning light will
illuminate or flash under the following
conditions:
lIlluminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.
lFlashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.
lFlashes when there are continually
large differences between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface, or when
trying to extricate the vehicle from
mud, sand or similar conditions.
If the AWD warning light illuminates:
If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If the AWD warning light flashes:
Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments, if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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lPress the CANCEL switch.
The system turns off when the ignition is
switched off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15 km/h (9
mph) below the preset speed (such as may
happen when climbing a long, steep grade).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
WARNING
Do not rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and/or ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
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CAUTION
Do not rely on the TCS to maintain
constant control of the vehicle under
severe or maximum handling
conditions. If the TCS operates
frequently due to severe driving
conditions, the TCS may stop
operating to protect the brakes from
overheating. After the brakes have
cooled down, the TCS resumes
normal operation.
qTCS/DSC/RSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC/RSC is operating,
the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC/RSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lIn addition to the indicator light flashing, a
slight lugging sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the TCS is
operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh snow, it
will be impossible to achieve high rpm
when the TCS is on.
qTCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
It also illuminates when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
Refer to TCS OFF Switch on page 5-25.
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS is not switched off, take your vehicle
to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The
dynamic stability control may have a
malfunction.
NOTE
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the TCS
OFF indicator light remain illuminated even
after switching the ignition from ON to OFF,
and back to ON, attempt the procedure again.
If this still does not resolve the issue, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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