Black plate (179,1)
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: 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.
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 5-56). NOTE
When the ignition is switched ON, the sound of
the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not indicate an
abnormality.
NOTE
Vibration of the brake pedal may be felt when
the ignition is switched ON, however, this is a
normal operation of the DSC/RSC and does
not indicate an abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.
q
Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched off or the
ignition is switched to ACC with the key
inserted, a continuous beep sound will be
heard when the driver's door is opened.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (180,1)
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the spark
ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seatbelts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N.
5. Switch the ignition to START and hold
(up to 10 seconds at a time) until the
engine starts.
CAUTION
Do not try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain
the battery.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for about 10 seconds. NOTE
lIn extremely cold weather or after the
vehicle has not been driven in several days,
let the engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.
lWhether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
5-4
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Starting and Driving
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
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
parts.
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-7
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (184,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning/Warning light
inspection
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 brake warning light remains
illuminated even though the parking brake
is released, the brake fluid may be low or
there could be a problem with the brake
system. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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.
CAUTION
In addition, the effectiveness of the
braking may diminish so you may
need to depress the brake pedal more
strongly than normal to stop the
vehicle.
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.
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.
5-8
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page184
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (188,1)
qTransaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the shift lever to P and set
the parking brake:
Only setting the shift lever to the P
position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is
dangerous. If P fails to hold, the
vehicle could move and cause an
accident.
CAUTION
ØShifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage
your transaxle.
Ø Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transaxle.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-9).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
If the engine is running faster than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine
is running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle: Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the brake
pedal before moving the shift lever from N to
prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-13).
5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
CX-9_8DA3-EA-13G_Edition2 Page188
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (234,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Lights-On Indicator Light 5-69
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-69
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning/Warning light
inspection
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 brake warning light remains
illuminated even though the parking brake
is released, the brake fluid may be low or
there could be a problem with the brake
system. Park the vehicle in a safe place
immediately and contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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.
CAUTION
In addition, the effectiveness of the
braking may diminish so you may
need to depress the brake pedal more
strongly than normal to stop the
vehicle.
qMalfunction Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
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Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (247,1)
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.
qTire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beepí
The warning beep sound will be heard for
about 3 seconds when there is any
abnormality in tire inflation pressures
(page 5-29).
qAdvanced Keyless Warning (with
Advanced Key)
Warning indicators for the advanced key,
such as “the advanced key removed from
vehicle warning ”, use a beep sound and
warning/indicator lights in the instrument
cluster.
Refer to Warning and Beep Sounds on
page 3-18.
q Blind Spot Monitoring System
Warning Beepí
Driving forward
The warning beep operates when the turn
signal lever is operated to the side where
the BSM warning light is illuminated.
NOTE
The system can be personalized so that the
BSM warning beep does not operate. Refer to
Personalization Features on page 10-8.
Reversing
If vehicles approach from the rear on the
left and right, the BSM warning beep
operates.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-71íSome models.
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G
Black plate (253,1)
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
The headlight leveling switch is used to
adjust the angle of the headlights
manually.
Select the proper headlight angle from the following
chart.
Front seat Rear seat LoadSwitch
Position
Driver
Passenger Second-
row Third-
row
× ―――― 0
×× ―― ― 0
×× ―×― 1
×××× ―1
××××× 2
× ――― ×3
×: Yes
― :No
q Daytime Running Lights
Some countries require moving vehicles
to have their lights on (daytime running
lights) during the daytime.
Daytime running lights turn on
automatically when the ignition is
switched ON.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated.
NOTE
(Except Canada)
The daytime running lights can be deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-8.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-77íSome models.
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Form No.8DA3-EA-13G