traction control MAZDA MODEL 6 2005 Owners Manual (in English)

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Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
When driving in water, mud, sand, or
similar hazard:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don't hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don't pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the front
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces, use sand, rock salt,
chains, carpeting, or other nonslip
material under the front wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
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. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
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.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transaxle Operation ..................................................... 5-8
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-16
Traction Control System (TCS)
í........................................... 5-20
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-23
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-27
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-27
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-37
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-38
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-38
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-39
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-40
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-40
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
í......................................... 5-42
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-42
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-43
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-44
HomeLink Wireless Control System
í.................................... 5-44
5-1íSome models.
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lPress the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed or
below 30 km/h (19 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)í
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
WARNING
TCS and Unsafe 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. So
don't rely on the traction control
system as a substitute for safe driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
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. Use snow
tires and drive at reduced speeds when
roads are covered with ice and/or
snow.
5-20
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
qTread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
qTraction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
qTemperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
9-16
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
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S
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-51
Cargo securing loops .................. 6-53
Cargo sub-compartment ............. 6-54
Center box .................................. 6-52
Center console ............................ 6-52
Glove box ................................... 6-52
Overhead console ....................... 6-51
Storage box ................................ 6-53
Storage pocket ............................ 6-52
Storage Pocket .................................. 6-52
Sunshade ........................................... 3-28
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-43
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-25
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-31
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-32
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-30
Replacement ............................... 8-31
Rotation ...................................... 8-30
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-7
Tire chains .................................... 4-9
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-20
Emergency towing ..................... 7-20
Recreational towing ................... 7-21
Trailer towing ............................. 4-11
T
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-20
TCS indicator light ..................... 5-21
TCS OFF indicator light ............ 5-21
TCS OFF switch ........................ 5-21
Trailer Towing ................................... 4-11
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-24
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-18
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-20
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-39
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-43
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-27
seat belt ...................................... 5-32
ABS ............................................ 5-31
Air bag system ........................... 5-31
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-33
Brake system .............................. 5-29
Charging system ......................... 5-30
Check engine .............................. 5-30
Door-ajar .................................... 5-33
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-30
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-31
Low fuel ..................................... 5-32
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-33
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-20
Weights ............................................. 10-6
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-32
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-22
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-41
11-6
Index
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