tires MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual

1-4
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Exterior Overview (4 Door)
Doors and keys
Outside mirrors
Side turn signal lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Child safety locks Tires
Reverse light
Windshield wiper blades
Hood
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker lights
Fog lights* Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights Power windows*
Rear window defroster
Trunk lid
High-mount brake light
License plate light
Antenna
Moonroof*
(page 8-37) (page 6-10)
(page 3-13)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-24)
(page 3-20)
(page 8-37) (page 5-52)
(page 3-16)
(page 8-31)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-21)
(page 3-9)
(page 3-2)
(page 3-29)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
*Some models.
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1-5
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Exterior Overview (5 Door)
Doors and keys
Outside mirrors
Side turn signal lights
Headlights
Fuel-filler lid
Child safety lock Tires
Reverse light
Windshield wiper blades
Hood
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker lights
Fog lights* Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
Power windows*
Rear window defroster
Liftgate High-mount brake light
License plate light Antenna
Moonroof*
(page 3-10) (page 6-10)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-24)
(page 3-20)
(page 8-37) (page 5-52)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-31)
(page 3-18)
(page 8-37)
(page 3-21)
(page 3-9)
(page 3-2)
(page 3-29)
(page 8-37)
(page 8-37) (page 3-16)
*Some models.
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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
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4-7
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Driving Tips
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of your Mazda.
•Don
’t race the engine.
• Don
’t maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
• Don
’t drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
• Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
• Avoid full-throttle starts. How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save money on
fuel and repairs.
•
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
• Avoid fast starts.
• Keep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
• Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
• Slow down on rough roads.
• Keep the tires properly inflated.
• Don
’t carry unnecessary weight.
• Don
’t rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
• Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
• Keep windows closed at high speeds.
• Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
Break-In PeriodMoney-Saving Suggestions
Coasting:
Stopping the engine when going down
a hill is dangerous. This causes the
loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident. Never stop the engine when
going down a hill.
WARNING
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
• Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don
’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don ’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
• If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don
’t spin the front
wheels.
• For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the front wheels.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
WARNING
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver’ s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires. Except Brazil
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Brazil
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle
’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-24).
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-11
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don
’t use chains on the rear tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit. Installing the chains1. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer ’s instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving
1/2 —1 km (1/4 —1/2 mile).
•Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
• Chains may affect handling.
• Don
’t go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer ’s
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
• Avoid locked-wheel braking.
• Don
’t use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire.
• Don
’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the
system may not function correctly
when using tire chains.
CAUTION
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5-7
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)*
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If one
is about to lock up, the ABS responds by
automatically releasing and reapplying
that wheel
’s brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal when the ABS operates. Don ’t
pump the brakes, continue to press down
on the brake pedal.
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
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.
NOTE
Braking 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
*Some models.
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5-9
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
A safety feature prevents accidental
shifting from 5 to R (reverse). The shift
lever must be put in neutral before being
shifted to R.
Manual Transaxle
Operation
Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
Neutral position
WARNING
• Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also,
don’
t use the clutch to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the
clutch will cause needless clutch
wear and damage.
• Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is
still moving may damage the
transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back
into neutral, release the clutch pedal,
and try again.
CAUTION
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2
→M3
→M4)

To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once. Manually Shifting down
(M4
→M3
→M2
→M1)

To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward ( ) once.
NOTE
• When driving slowly, the gears may
not shift up depending on vehicle
speed.
• In manual shift mode, gears do not
shift up automatically. Don
’t run the
engine with the tachometer needle
in the RED ZONE. If the
tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-
braking because the fuel delivery
will be stopped to protect the
engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
• When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Do not use sudden
engine braking on slippery road
surfaces or at high speeds.
WARNING
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