steering MAZDA MODEL CX-7 2008 (in English) User Guide

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WARNING
Do not stack cargo or objects higher
than the seatbacks:Cargo stacked higher than the
seatbacks is dangerous. It can block
your view in the rearview mirror,
which might cause you to hit another
car when changing lanes.
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Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Break-In Period
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.
lDon't race the engine.lDon't maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
lDon't drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods
of time.
lAvoid unnecessary hard stops.lAvoid full-throttle starts.lDon't tow a trailer.
Money-Saving Suggestions
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.
lAvoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
lAvoid fast starts.lKeep the engine tuned. Follow the
maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
perform inspections and servicing.
lUse the air conditioner only when
necessary.
lSlow down on rough roads.lKeep the tires properly inflated.lDon't carry unnecessary weight.lDon't rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
lKeep the wheels in correct alignment.lKeep windows closed at high speeds.lSlow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill: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.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
lHave your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.lBefore starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all vehicle-
to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after driving a short
distance.
Driving
lYour Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing,
and stopping in a traffic-free area.
lTake time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.lAllow more room between your vehicle and the one in front because braking distance
increases with a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle
and trailer length between your Mazda and the vehicle ahead.
lAvoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.lAvoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially
so on wet or slippery roads.
lShift the shift lever to the D position when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when
heavily loaded.
These positions will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, sudden turns, and tight turns. Slow down before turning to
avoid the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns that
are larger than normal.
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WARNING
Always use lower gears to reduce speed:Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a
serious accident. Use lower gears to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and allow
brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-11).
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
lIf the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
lIf it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation
í..................................... 5-16
Cruise Control ......................................................................... 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS) .............................................. 5-22
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ........................................... 5-25
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
í......................................... 5-27
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-33 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-33
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-38 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-38
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-52
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-53 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-53
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-56
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-56
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-57
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............................................ 5-58
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-59
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-60
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-60
5-1íSome models.
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Ignition Switch
Auxiliary key (with advanced key)
NOTE
When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine (page 3-9).
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.
1. Remove the auxiliary key from theadvanced key (page 3-15).
2. Make sure the start knob is in LOCK position.
3. Remove the start knob by pulling it outward while pressing the buttons on
both the left and right sides.
4. Insert the auxiliary key in the ignitionswitch.
qIgnition Switch Positions
With advanced
key
Without advanced
key
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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WARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked:Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur. (For vehicles
equipped with the advanced key, the
steering wheel locks when the starter
knob is turned to the LOCK position.)
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
put the key or start knob to LOCK
position, set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P: Intentionally placing the key or start
knob into LOCK position is much
more important where you will not
be removing the key to leave the
vehicle and because leaving it in
other positions will disable some of
the vehicle security systems and run
the battery down.
Leaving the driver's seat without
putting the ignition switch in LOCK
position, setting the parking brake
and the shift lever is in P is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the steering
wheel from side to side.
Leaving the key or start knob in any position
but LOCK position also disables some of the
security features and may run the battery
down.
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 5-38).
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.
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 5-38).
q Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Power Steering
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 stiffer than usual
during normal driving, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
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.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Operation
í
AWD provides excellent driveability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
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Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
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NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, the DSC will be inoperable. When
this happens, the TCS OFF indicator light
flashes and the TCS/DSC indicator light
illuminates.
To reactivate the DSC, perform the following
procedure with the battery connected.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully, then turnit counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the TCS OFF indicator turns off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, then turn it to the ON position
again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator light turns off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the TCS
OFF indicator light remain illuminated even
after turning the ignition switch to the ON
position, attempt the procedure again. If this
still does not work, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
q TCS OFF Switch
If the vehicle speed is less than 30 km/h
(18 mph), 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. If the vehicle speed is more
than 30 km/h (18 mph), the TCS OFF
indicator light will not illuminate even if
the switch is pressed.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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NOTE
If the battery is disconnected or a fuse is
replaced, the DSC will be inoperable. When
this happens, the TCS OFF indicator light
flashes and the TCS/DSC indicator light
illuminates.
To reactivate the DSC, perform the following
procedure with the battery connected.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Turn the steering clockwise fully, then turnit counterclockwise fully.
3. Make sure the TCS OFF indicator turns off.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, then turn it to the ON position
again.
5. Make sure the TCS/DSC indicator light turns off.
If the TCS/DSC indicator light and the TCS
OFF indicator light remain illuminated even
after turning the ignition switch to the ON
position, attempt the procedure again. If this
still does not work, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
q Cruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON/OFF switch is pressed and
the cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
qLight-On Indicator Light
This indicator light comes on when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
qTurn-Signal/Hazard Warning
Indicator Lights
When operating the turn signal lights, the
left or right turn signal indicator light
flashes to indicate which turn signal light
is operating (page 5-56).
When operating the hazard warning
lights, both turn signal indicator lights
flash (page 5-60).
NOTE
If an indicator light remains illuminated (does
not flash) or if it flashes abnormally, one of the
turn signal bulbs may be burned out.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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