engine MAZDA MODEL 626 2001 Owner's Guide

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-11

045-4AE
 R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting from R, except as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-11).
Q045-5AE
 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
!
Shifting from N or P: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. If the
engine is running faster than idle,
don’ t shift from N or P into a
driving gear. D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From
a stop, the transaxle will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.

045-14A1E
 2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving
in heavy, slow-moving traffic and
climbing hills; for braking assist when
going down hills; or for starting on
slick surfaces and other situations
where gentle acceleration may be
necessary. Do not exceed 116 km/h
(72 mph)
*1 or 104 km/h (65 mph)
*2 in
the 2 position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-121 (Low)
Use the 1 position for maximum
power in hard-pulling situations, or for
climbing and descending very steep
grades. Do not exceed 63 km/h (39
mph)
*1 or 60 km/h (38 mph)
*2 in the 1
position.
*1
2.0-liter engine
*2
2.5-liter engine

045-15BE
 Driving Tips
 Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
 Climbing steep grades from a
stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal. 2. Shift to D or 1 depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually accelerating.
 Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to 2 or 1, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-13

045-16B1E
Overdrive-off
buttonJ94A4007 Overdrive
 Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts
to overdrive, which improves fuel
economy and reduces noise. But to increase engine braking, don’
t
use overdrive when going down a
steep grade.
And for a smoother ride with less
shifting, don’ t use it when
• Going up a steep grade;
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic;
• Pulling heavy loads. To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transaxle will then shift through a
three-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd (1st, 2nd)
*
1 = 1st
*
(2.5-liter engine only)
With Traction Control System
(TCS)

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-14
J94A4006
Overdrive-off indicator
This indicator comes on when the
overdrive has been turned off.
CAUTION
!
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transaxle has an
electrical problem. Continuing to
drive your Mazda in this
coondition could cause damage to
your transaxle. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon
as possible.
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive: D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd (1st, 2nd)
*
1 = 1st
*
(2.5-liter engine only)
With Traction Control System
(TCS)

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-15

045-11JE
 Shift-Lock System
For your safety, the automatic
transaxle has a shift-lock, which
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. Push and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the shift lever.
NOTE• When the ignition switch is in
the LOCK position, the
transaxle cannot be shifted
from P.
• To be sure the vehicle is in
park, the ignition key cannot
be removed unless the shift is
in P.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
*Some models.
Driving Your Mazda5-16
114-1A1E
Traction Control System
(TCS)*The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
regulating 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.
WARNING
!
TCS and Snow and Ice:Driving without proper traction
devices on snow- and 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 or tires
chains and drive at reduced
speeds when roads are covered
with ice and snow.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-17

114 –2B1E
J94A4010
Traction Control Indicators
 Traction control system (TCS)
warning light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position. It flashes when the system regulates
engine torque. If the light stays on,
take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer. The traction control
system may have a malfunction.
NOTE•
In addition to the TCS warning
light flashing, a slight lugging
sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the
traction control system is
operating properly.
• On slippery surfaces, such as
fresh snow, it will be
impossible to achieve high rpm
when the traction control
system is on.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda5-18
J94A4011
TCS OFF Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. It
goes off when the engine is started. It also comes on when you switch off
the traction control system or when the
system has a malfunction.
NOTEAfter starting the engine on very
cold days, the TCS OFF indicator
will remain on and the system will
not operate until the engine is
warm.


114-3AE
J94A4012 TCS OFF Switch
Push this switch once to turn off the
TCS. Push it again to turn the TCS
back on.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-19
NOTE•If the TCS is off when the
engine is turned off, it
automatically activates when
the ignition switch is turned on.
• Leaving the TCS on will
provide the best traction.
047-1A1E
Brake SystemFoot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use.
Should power assist fail, you can stop
by applying greater force than normal
to the brake pedal. But the distance
required to stop will be greater than
usual.
WARNING
!
Driving with the Engine Off:Continuing to drive when the
engine is stalled or turned off is
dangerous. Braking will require
more effort, and the brake’ s
power assist could be depleted if
you pump the brake. This will
cause longer stopping distances
or even an accident. Don’ t
continue driving when the engine
is stalled or turned off, find a safe
place to stop.

Form No. 8P95-EA-00G
Driving Your Mazda
5-23
NOTEBraking 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.
WARNING
!
ABS:The ABS 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 ABS
as a substitute for safe driving.
NOTEWhen the engine is jump-started,
an unevenness of rpm occurs and
the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a lack of battery
capacity and doesn’ t indicate a
malfunction.
Have the battery recharged as soon
as possible.