ignition MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2004 Owner's Manual

4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
• Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
• Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
• If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way. •
Are all doors closed and locked?
• Is the seat adjusted properly?
• Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
• Is everyone’
s seat belt fastened?
• Check all gauges.
• Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
• Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 6 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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.•
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don
’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Rocking the Vehicle
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.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
Winter Driving
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 9 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-1
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
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 ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-10
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-17
Cruise Control* ....................................................................... 5-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring System* .......................................... 5-22
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-26
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-26
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-31
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-31
Beep Sounds ............................................................................ 5-42
Switches and Controls ................................................................. 5-44
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-44
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-47
Fog Lights* .............................................................................. 5-48
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-48
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) .............................. 5-51
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-52
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-53
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-53
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 1 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Starting and Driving

Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the button when the
key is at the ACC position, then turn the
key to the LOCK position. Automatic transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
ACC
ON
Button
Push the
button
Removing the Key:
It’s dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver ’s seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver ’s
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
LOCK Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
ACC
ON
WARNING
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 2 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The warning lights
(except brakes) should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-31).
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key; then
it returns to the ON position. The brake
warning light can be checked after the
engine is started (page 5-31).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep sound will be heard
when the driver
’s door is opened. 1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. (Manual transaxle)

Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the
steering wheel from side to side.
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, the sound of the fuel
pump motor operating near the fuel
tank can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of
radio noise.
NOTE
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 3 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and hold (up to 10 seconds at a
time) until the engine starts.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for about 10 seconds.

Foot 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.
Don
’t try the starter for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine stalls or
fails to start, wait 10 seconds before
trying again. Otherwise, you may
damage the starter and drain the
battery.
NOTE
• In extremely cold weather, below
–
18
°C (0
°F), or after the vehicle has
not been driven in several days, let
the engine warm up without
operating the accelerator.
• Whether the engine is cold or warm,
it should be started without use of
the accelerator.
CAUTION
Brake System
Coasting with the Engine Off:
Continuing to coast 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
coasting when the engine is stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop.
Riding the Brakes:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long distances
is dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep hills.
WARNING
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 4 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

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 8-18).
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 5-35).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, after checking that
the parking brake is fully released,
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
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 6 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

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

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.
Brake Assist*
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more firmly.
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
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to
charge the battery, uneven rpm occurs
and the ABS warning light comes on.
This is due to a weak battery, not a
malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
NOTE
• When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
pedal will feel softer but the brakes
will apply more firmly. This is a
normal effect of the brake assist
operation and does not indicate an
abnormality.
• When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
clicking noise from the brake
booster may be heard. This is a
normal effect of the brake assist and
does not indicate an abnormality.
• The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle
’s main braking system.
*Some models.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 8 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.
For cruising
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
reduces the chance of stalling and gives
better acceleration when you need more
speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
Various Lockouts:
1 to 226 km/h (16 mph)
2 to 3 45 km/h (28 mph)
3 to 4 56 km/h (35 mph)
4 to 5 73 km/h (45 mph)
1 to 2 16 km/h (10 mph)
2 to 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 to 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph)
Automatic Transaxle
Controls
Indicates that you must depress
the brake pedal to shift (The
ignition switch must be in the
ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 10 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI

5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the shift lever.
Refer to Manual Shift Mode (page 5-13).

Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system 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. Move the shift lever.

Shift-Lock Override
If the shift lever won
’t move from P using
the proper shift procedure, continue to
hold down the pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover with a screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.
NOTE
•When the ignition switch is in the
ACC or LOCK position, the shift
lever cannot be shifted from P.
• To be sure the vehicle is in park,
the ignition key cannot be
removed unless the shift lever is in
P.
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book Page 12 Monday, February 9, 2004 8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI