light MAZDA MODEL MPV 2003 (in English) Owner's Manual

3-28
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Maintenance
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Modification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the system’s
operation if the system has been modified
or if any add-on equipment has been
installed to it. •To avoid damage to the key, do not:
Drop the key.
Get the key wet.
Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field.
Expose the key to high
temperatures on places such as
the dashboard or hood, under
direct sunlight.
•When starting the engine, do not let
the following materials touch the
key grip. The engine may not start:
Spare keys.
Keys for other vehicles equipped
with an immobilizer system.
Metal objects that touch or pass
through the hole in the key.
Devices for electronic purchases,
and security passage.
CAUTION
NOTE
•The keys carry a unique electronic
code. For this reason, and to assure
your safety, replacement keys
require some waiting time to obtain.
They are only available through an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•Always keep a replacement key, in
case one is lost. If a key is lost,
contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
•If you lose a key, an Authorized
Mazda Dealer will reset the
electronic codes of your remaining
keys and immobilizer system.
Starting the vehicle with a key that
has not been reset is not possible.
To avoid damage to your vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to it.
CAUTION
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3-29
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
The optional theft-deterrent system is
designed to prevent your vehicle or its
contents from being stolen when all the
doors, hood, and liftgate are locked.
If forcible entry is attempted, the system
sounds the horn and flashes the hazard
warning lights.
The system won’t function unless it’s
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, lock all the doors and the liftgate,
close all the windows, take your key, your
transmitter, and make sure the security
indicator light is flashing.

Operation
What turns it on:
•Forcing open a door, the hood or the
liftgate.
•Opening a door or the hood by
operating an inside door-lock button or
the hood release handle.
What it does:
•The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash.
•The alarm continues for about 3
minutes, then stops.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door or the
liftgate is unlocked with the key or with
the transmitter.

How to Arm the System
1. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
2. Close the hood. Then close all doors
and the liftgate and lock them from the
outside using the key in the door. If you
have the keyless entry system, press the
LOCK button on the transmitter. The
hazard warning lights will flash one
time to indicate that the system is
armed.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
Close the hood. Press the area on the
door-lock switch marked "DOOR
LOCK" once. Close all doors and the
liftgate.
3. The indicator light flashes once every 3
seconds to indicate that the system is
fully armed. It continues to flash until
the theft-deterrent system is turned off.
Theft-Deterrent System
NOTE
The theft-deterrent system operates
without the keyless entry system
transmitter, as well.
NOTE
Locking the doors with the inside
door-lock button will not arm the
system.
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3-30
Knowing Your Mazda
Security System
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

To Tu r n o f f a n A r m e d S y s t e m
An armed system can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door or the liftgate with the
key.
•Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry system transmitter.
•Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to the ON position.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice
to indicate that the system is turned off.

To Stop an Alarm
A triggered alarm can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
•Unlock a door or the liftgate with the
key.
•Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry system transmitter.

Theft-Deterrent Labels
Labels indicating that your vehicle is
equipped with a Theft-Deterrent System
are in the glove box.
Mazda recommends that you affix them to
the lower rear corner of the front door
windows.
NOTE
If you have any problem with the theft-
deterrent system, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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3-32
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
2. Depress the perimeter switch in the
appropriate direction.
After adjusting the mirror, lock the
control by moving the selector switch to
the middle position.
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
flush with the vehicle.Mirror defroster
To turn on the mirror defrosters, turn the
ignition on and push the rear window
defroster switch (page 5-36).

Rearview Mirror (With Day/
Night Function)
Before driving, adjust the rearview mirror
to center on the scene through the rear
window.
Do this with the day/night lever in the day
position.
Push the lever forward for day driving.
Pull it back to reduce glare from
headlights.
Perimeter switch Selector switch
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the
outside mirrors to the driving position
before you start driving.
WARNING
Day/Night lever
Day
Night
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4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Before Starting the Engine
•Be sure the windows, outside mirror(s),
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 is in your way.•Are all doors closed and locked?
•Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•Do all the lights work?
•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 parking brake warning light
goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels
should be inspected daily, weekly, or at
refueling, depending on the fluid. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
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, shift to 2 or 3 and
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front
wheels.
•For more traction in starting, use sand,
rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other
nonslip material under the front
wheels.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 D to R.
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.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
WARNING
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
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

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 chains
1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain
bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
3. 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 the temporary
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.
CAUTION
Driving In Flooded Area
Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected. Dry the brakes by driving
very slowly and applying the brakes
lightly until brake performance
returns to normal.
Make sure water does not enter the
vehicle interior or the engine area. The
vehicle interior could become wet or
the engine could be damaged.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-16
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under the trailer tongue and attach to the
hitch. Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or
hitch manufacturer for more details.

Trailer Lights
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your trailer
as required before towing it day or night.

Trailer Brakes
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If your
trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Towing Without Safety Chain:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision. Make sure the safety
chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle prior to departure.
Don’t connect a trailer lighting system directly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and lighting systems. Have a
recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect the
brake lights and turn signals each time before driving.
Hydraulic Trailer-Brake System:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury. Don’t connect a
hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle’s brake system.
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
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4-17
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Trailer Towing Tips
•Verify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is connected. Don’t drive if it has an abnormal front-up or front-down position.
Inspect for incorrect tongue load, worn suspension parts, and trailer overloading.
•Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
•Make sure the mirrors conform to all government regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed, and
improper trailer loading.
Before driving
•Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
•Before 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
•Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning, backing,
and stopping in a traffic-free area.
•Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.
•Allow 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.
•Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
•Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing, especially
so on wet or slippery roads.
•Use the following positions when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or when heavily
loaded.
OD (overdrive) off
Shift lever in D
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.
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4-18
Before Driving Your Mazda
To w i n g
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
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.
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.
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 7-15).
Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
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 (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use
lower gears to reduce speed.
WARNING
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