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/clutch 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 is switched ON.
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
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is
dangerous. The spinning tire could
overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and
tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
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 8-25.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lUse only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-21).
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 8-29).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual
transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
lSnow left on the windshield is
dangerous as it could obstruct vision.
Remove snow before driving.
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.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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
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
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON.
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.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
Turn the wipers on by pressing the lever
up or down.
With INT position
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-71
NOTElSwitching the auto-wiper lever from the
OFF to the AUTO position while driving
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 (Such as 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, set the wiper
lever to the low speed position or high
speed position for manual operation, or
remove the ice, dirt or foreign matter by
hand to restore the auto-wiper operation.
lIf the auto-wiper lever is left in the AUTO
position, the wipers could operate
automatically from the effect of strong light
sources, electromagnetic waves, or infrared
light because the rain sensor uses an
optical sensor. It is recommended that the
auto-wiper lever be switched to the OFF
position other than when driving the vehicle
under rainy conditions.
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 intermittent
position/AUTO position, the wipers will
operate continuously until the lever is
released.
If the washer does not work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-29). If it's normal,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
5-74
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer (5 Door)
The ignition must be switched ON.
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 8-29). If it's normal and
the washer still does not work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition must be switched ON.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Fully Automatic Type Air-Conditioning
Indicator light
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-75
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2
Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-4
Scheduled Maintenance (USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico) ....... 8-4
Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico) ............................................. 8-9
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-16
Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-16
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-17
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-19
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-21
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-25
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-27
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-27
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF)
í........................................ 8-28
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-29
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-30
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-31
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-35
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-39
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-46
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-58
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-65
How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-65
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-67
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-71
8-1íSome models.