Black plate (486,1)
lDuring cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Do not use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
qUnderbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also
to do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt.It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become wet
by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the 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.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
CAUTION
Do not use any detergent other than
mild detergent. Before using any
detergent, verify the ingredients.
Otherwise, the product could discolor
or stain the aluminum wheels.
NOTE
lDo not use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on
aluminum wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lAlways use a sponge or soft cloth to clean
the wheels.
Rinse the wheels thoroughly with lukewarm
or cold water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on dusty or salted
roads to help prevent corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an automatic
car wash that uses high-speed or hard
brushes.
6-66
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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qIf the brake system warning light
illuminates
When the light turns on
If the brake system warning light remains
turned on even though the electric 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.
When the light is flashing
The light flashes if the electric parking
brake has a malfunction.
If the light remains flashing even if the
electric parking brake switch is operated,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.
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.
qIf the ABS warning light illuminates
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.
7-24
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
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Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (515,1)
qIf the brake system warning light
and the ABS warning light
illuminate simultaneously
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 simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qIf the electric parking brake
warning light illuminates
The warning light illuminates when the
system has a malfunction. Have your
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
qIf the charging system warning
indication/warning light is indicated
If the warning light/indication illuminates
while driving, it indicates a malfunction
of the alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
7-25
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Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (563,1)
qGlossary of Terms
Tire Placard:A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure, and
the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and date of
manufacture.
Inflation Pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
kPa:Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi:Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Original Equipment (OE):Describes components originally equipped on the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit:The maximum value of the combination weight of occupants and
cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire:Area on the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when it's
mounted on the vehicle.
Seating capacitymeans the total allowable number of vehicle occupants. Seating capacity
is described on the tire label.
Production options weightis the combination weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 2.3 kilograms in excess of the standard items which they replace,
and not previously considered in the curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.
Rimis the metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-33
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Black plate (567,1)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings,
from the vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
8-37
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Form No.8EA2-EA-14K
Black plate (607,1)
B
Brakes
Brakes assist ............................... 4-78
Foot brake .................................. 4-74
Pad wear indicator ...................... 4-77
Parking brake ............................. 4-75
Break-In ............................................ 3-43
C
Capacities ............................................ 9-5
Carbon Monoxide ............................. 3-26
Cell Phones ....................................... 8-20
Center Console ................................ 5-134
Child Restraint
Child-restraint system
installation .................................. 2-28
Installing child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-29
LATCH child-restraint
systems ....................................... 2-37
Child Safety Locks for Rear Doors ... 3-19
Climate Control System ...................... 5-2
Fully Automatic Type .................. 5-9
Gas specifications ........................ 9-6
Manual Type ................................ 5-5
Operating Tips .............................. 5-2
Vent Operation ............................. 5-3
Clock ................................................. 5-24
Coming Home Light System ............ 4-61
Courtesy Lights ............................... 5-128
Cruise Control ................................. 4-145
Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed ..... 4-15
Cup Holder ...................................... 5-131
Customer Assistance ........................... 8-2
D
Dashboard Illumination .................... 4-14
D
Daytime Running Lights ................... 4-62
Defogger ........................................... 4-68
Mirror ......................................... 4-69
Dimensions ......................................... 9-5
Direct Mode ...................................... 4-56
Distance Recognition Support System
(DRSS) ............................................ 4-109
Door Locks ....................................... 3-11
Drive Selection ................................. 4-90
Driving In Flooded Area ................... 3-47
Driving on Uneven Road .................. 3-48
Driving Tips ...................................... 3-43
Automatic transaxle ................... 4-56
Break-in ..................................... 3-43
Driving in flooded area .............. 3-47
Driving on uneven road ............. 3-48
Floor mat .................................... 3-44
Hazardous driving ...................... 3-44
Overloading ............................... 3-47
Rocking the vehicle .................... 3-45
Saving fuel and protection of the
environment ............................... 3-43
Winter driving ............................ 3-45
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 4-82
E
Emergency Starting
Push-Starting .............................. 7-17
Starting a Flooded Engine .......... 7-17
Emergency Towing
Tiedown Hooks .......................... 7-21
Towing Description .................... 7-20
Emission Control System .................. 3-25
Index
10-3
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