MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual

5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
The light illuminates to indicate that the
power steering is inoperable. If the light
illuminates, turn off the engine and restart
it.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. 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
NOTE
The power steering system is
inoperable when the power steering
malfunction indicator light illuminates.
Steering is possible, but requires more
physical effort.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 17 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.

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

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
Cruise Control*
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•
Hilly terrain
• Steep inclines
• Heavy or unsteady traffic
• Slippery or winding roads
• Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don ’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 18 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 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 RES/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 RES/
ACCEL button. Multiple taps will
increase your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) for each tap.
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the ON/OFF 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 ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not
in use.
WARNINGNOTE
•The SET function can
’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
• On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 19 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
•Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.

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.
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.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 20 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 30 km/h (19 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RES/ACCEL button is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h (19
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 30
km/h (19 mph) and press the RES/
ACCEL button.

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
• Press the ON/OFF switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transaxle only)
• Press 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).
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 21 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System*
Tire pressure sensors
•When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the
vehicle
’s tire information placard.
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle ’s handling
and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set
to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner ’s manual.
• To avoid false readings, the system
samples for a little while before
indicating a problem. As a result it
will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAUTION
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 22 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light illuminates
when tire pressure is too low or too high
in one or more tires, and flashes when
there is a system malfunction. Warning light illuminates/Warning
beep sounds
When the warning light illuminates, and
the warning beep sound is heard (about 3
seconds), tire pressure is too low or too
high in one or more tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the correct tire
pressure at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or the nearest service station. Refer to the
specification charts (page 10-8).
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture. Replace the
punctured tire with the temporary spare
tire (page 7-6).
Vehicle Handling When Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light
Illuminates/Flashes:
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, it is dangerous to
drive the vehicle at high speeds, or
perform sudden maneuvering or
braking. Vehicle drivability could
worsen and result in an accident.
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning
beep sound is heard, decrease vehicle
speed immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. Have the
system and tires checked or perform
the appropriate repair as soon as
possible.
WARNING
Ignoring the Warning Light:
Ignoring the warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken
care of as soon as possible before it
develops into a more serious situation
that could lead to tire failure and a
dangerous accident.
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the
tire pressure sensors may be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 23 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-24
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

System Error Activation
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in the
following cases:
• When there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
• When a large metallic object (e.g. a
large electric household appliance or a
desk-top computer) is placed on the
right side of the rear seat, which may
block radio signals from the tire
pressure sensor to the receiver unit.
• When using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit.

A digital device such as a personal
computer.
 A current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter.
• When excess snow or ice adheres to the
vehicle, especially around the wheels.
• When the tire pressure sensor batteries
are exhausted. •
When using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed.
• When using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls.
• When using tire chains


Tires and Wheels
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure
sensor
’s unique ID signal code whenever
tires or wheels are changed, such as
changing to and from winter tires.
When having tires changed at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
Tire pressure sensor ID signal code
registration is completed when an
Authorized Mazda Dealer changes your
vehicle ’s tires.
When changing tires yourself
If you or someone else changes tires, you
or someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration.
1. After tires have been changed, turn the ignition switch to the ON position, then
turn it back to the ACC or LOCK
position.
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed
to the temporary spare tire. The
warning light will flash continuously
while the temporary spare tire is being
used.
NOTE
Each tire pressure sensor has a unique
ID signal code. The signal code must
be registered with the TPMS before it
can work. The easiest way to do it is to
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
change your tire and complete ID
signal code registration.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 24 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
2. Wait for about 15 minutes.
3. After about 15 minutes, drive the vehicle at a speed of at least 20 km/h
(12 mph) for several minutes and the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code will
be registered automatically.
Replacing tires and wheelsBe sure to have the tire pressure sensors
installed whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installation are possible.
• The tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one.
• The same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced.
• A new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven within about 15
minutes of changing tires, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning
light will flash because the sensor ID
signal code would not have been
registered. If this happens, park the
vehicle for about 15 minutes, after
which the sensor ID signal code will
register upon driving the vehicle for
several minutes.
•When replacing/repairing the tires
or wheels or both, have the work
done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, or the tire pressure sensors
may be damaged.
• The wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire pressure
sensors.
CAUTION
NOTE
•The tire pressure sensor ID signal
code must be registered when a new
tire pressure sensor is purchased.
For purchase of a tire pressure
sensor and registration of the tire
pressure sensor ID signal code,
consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
• When reinstalling a previously
removed tire pressure sensor to a
wheel, replace the grommet for the
tire pressure sensor.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 25 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
1 Speedometer ............................................................................................................. 5-27
2 Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector ........................................................ 5-27
3 Tachometer ............................................................................................................... 5-28
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ........................................................................ 5-29
5 Fuel Gauge ............................................................................................................... 5-29
6 Instrument Cluster Dimmer Select Button (Black-out meter) ................................. 5-30
Meters and Gauges
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 26 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI