engine MAZDA MODEL MPV 2003 (in English) Owner's Guide

5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 3
or 2, 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 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
•Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•Pull the lever toward you.
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 tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

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.

TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
NOTE
•In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
NOTE
After starting the engine on very cold
days, the TCS OFF indicator will
remain on and TCS will not operate
until the engine is warm.
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5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
NOTE
•When TCS is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS will activate. Depressing
the accelerator will not increase
engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult.When this
happens, turn off the TCS.
•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.
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer ..............................................................................................................5-20
2 Odometer and Trip Meter ..........................................................................................5-20
3 Tachometer ................................................................................................................5-21
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........................................................................5-21
5 Fuel Gauge................................................................................................................ 5-22
Meters and Gauges
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.

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 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.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage
(page 7-15).
CAUTION
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5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Warning/Indicator Lights
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-25
Charging System Warning Light 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-26
Check Engine Light 5-27
ABS Warning Light 5-27
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-28
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-28
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

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/
Electronic brake force distribution
system 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.
Low brake fluid level warning
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 8-13).
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.
Electronic brake force distribution
system warning
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light on.
In this case, the ABS warning light comes
on at the same time (page 5-27).
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Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light comes on 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.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning
Light
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
If the light comes on while driving:
1. Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way.
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.
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
Don’t continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
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5-27
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
2. Turn off the engine and inspect the
engine oil level (page 8-9). If it’s low,
add oil.
3. Check the light.
If the light remains on even after you add
oil, have your vehicle towed to the nearest
service station or to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Check Engine Light
If this light comes on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light came on and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The check engine light may come on in
the following cases:
•The fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
•The engine’s electrical system has a
problem.
•The emission control system has a
problem.
•The fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.If the check engine light flashes
continuously, decrease your speed and
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible.

ABS Warning Light
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
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. Don’t run the engine if oil pressure is
low. It could result in extensive engine
damage.
CAUTION
ABS Warning Light and Brake
Warning Light on at the Same Time:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are on at the same time is dangerous.
When both lights are on, the rear
wheels could lock more quickly in an
emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.
Don’t drive with both lights on, and
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer
to have the brakes inspected as soon
as possible.
WARNING
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