Rc low MAZDA MODEL 626 2002 Workshop Manual

5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts to
overdrive, which improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
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: To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
D
1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 Without Traction
Control System
2nd
With Traction
Control System 1st, 2nd
11st
Overdrive button
D 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 Without Traction
Control System
2nd
With Traction
Control System 1st, 2nd
11st
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, 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.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 11 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





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. Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than five
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 12 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).





Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.





Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, push the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
To deactivate the system, push the OFF
end.Cruise Control
Cruise Control Use:Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•
•• • Heavy or unsteady traffic
•
••
• Slippery or winding roads
•
••
• Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don ’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:Leaving the CRUISE MAIN switch
on when not using the cruise control
is dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the CRUISE
MAIN switch off when cruise control
is not in use.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 13 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





To Set Speed
1. Turn on the CRUISE MAIN switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 40 km/h (25 mph).
3. Press the SET/COAST button and release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don ’t continue to hold in the button.
Until you release it, speed will
continue to drop (unless you continue
to accelerate) and you ’ll miss the
desired speed.





To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
• Press the RESUME/ACCEL button
and hold it. Your vehicle will
accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current
speed in increments of 1.6 km/h (1
mph) by a momentary tap of the
RESUME/ACCEL button. Multiple
taps will increase your vehicle speed
1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each tap.
• Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
NOTE
• The SET function can ’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the
CRUISE MAIN switch has been
engaged.
• On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
J94S.book Page 14 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/COAST button and hold it.
The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the button at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET/COAST
button. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.





To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the CRUISE
MAIN was used to cancel cruising speed
and the system is still activated, the most
recent set speed will automatically resume
when the RESUME/ACCEL button is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and press the RESUME/
ACCEL button.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
NOTE
With an automatic transaxle vehicle,
the gear is automatically selected when
going uphill.
J94S.book Page 15 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one of these
methods:
• Push the OFF end of the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• (Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal.
The system is off when the ignition is off. 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.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
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 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.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 16 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).





Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
• Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
• The trip record will be erased when;
The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
 The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don ’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
0
Red zone 2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
10).
Normal range
CAUTION
J94S.book Page 21 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.





Dashboard Illumination
When the parking lights or headlights are
on, rotate the thumb-wheel to adjust the
brightness of the dashboard lights.
Warning light
Bright
Dim
J94S.book Page 22 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-25
Seat Belt Warning Light 5-25
Charging System Warning Light 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-26
TCS Warning Light 5-27
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-27
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-27
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
J94S.book Page 23 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM

5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G





Brake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, check the
brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-15).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light goes off, have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible.





Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
If the driver ’s seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, a beep will sound for about
6 seconds and the seat belt warning light
will remain on until the belt is fastened.
If the system does not operate correctly,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake Warning Light:Driving with the brake system
warning light on 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 on, have the brakes
inspected immediately. Don ’t drive
with this light on, and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible.
WARNING
J94S.book Page 25 Saturday, June 23, 2001 1:04 PM