automatic transmission MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2004 Owners Manual

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
•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.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• 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 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 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.
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.
Winter Driving
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.
WARNING
CAUTION
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 8 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

5-1
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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 Transmission Operation ............................................... 5-9
Automatic Transmission Controls ........................................... 5-10
Power Steering ......................................................................... 5-14
Cruise Control* ....................................................................... 5-15
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-18
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-18
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps ........................................ 5-23
Warning/Indicator Lights ......................................................... 5-23
Beeps ....................................................................................... 5-30
Switches and Controls ................................................................. 5-31
Lighting Control ...................................................................... 5-31
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-32
Fog Lights* .............................................................................. 5-32
Daytime Running Lights (Canada) .......................................... 5-33
Windshield Wipers and Washer ............................................... 5-33
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-35
Horn ......................................................................................... 5-35
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-36
*Some models.
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 1 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM

5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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 transmission
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the key in at the
ACC position, then turn it to the LOCK
position. Automatic transmission
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Ignition Switch
LOCK
Push the key
ACC ON
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 transmission or in 1 or
R with a manual transmission.
LOCK Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
ACC
ON
WARNING
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5-3
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
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 5-23).
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 5-23).

Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition switch is in the LOCK or
ACC position, a beep will sound when
any 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 transmission)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transmission)
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
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not
pushed down all the
way.
NOTE
The starter will not operate if the shift
lever is not
in P or N.
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5-10
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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:
5-speed
transmission
6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph) 23 km/h (14 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph) 37 km/h (23 mph)
3 to 4 55 km/h (34 mph) 50 km/h (31 mph)
4 to 5 66 km/h (41 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —66 km/h (41 mph)
5-speed
transmission 6-speed
transmission
1 to 2 15 km/h (9 mph) 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph) 32 km/h (20 mph)
3 to 4 47 km/h (29 mph) 44 km/h (27 mph)
4 to 5 61 km/h (38 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph)
5 to 6 —68 km/h (42 mph)
Automatic Transmission
Controls
Indicates that you must depress the
brake pedal and hold in the lock-
release button to shift (The ignition
switch must be in the ON position).
Indicates the shift lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the
lock-release button to shift.
Lock-release button
To prevent unsafe
shifting
Shift pattern
indicator
Shows shift lever
position
Overdrive button
For turning the
overdrive off or on
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5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Transmission Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transmission and prevents the
rear wheels from rotating.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete stop
before shifting to or from R, except under
rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-7).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transmission are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on. D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 4-gear sequence.
2 (Second)
The 2 position is helpful when driving in
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing
hills, for engine braking assist when going
down hills, or for starting on slick
surfaces and other situations where gentle
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2
position.
Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift lever to the P position
without using the parking brake to
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P
fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident. To hold the
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND
set the parking brake.
•
Shifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your
transmission.
• Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
WARNING
CAUTION
Shifting from N or P:
It
’s dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move
suddenly, causing an accident or
serious injury. If the engine is
running faster than idle, don ’t shift
from N or P into a driving gear.
Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury. Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause
transmission damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transmission automatically shifts
to overdrive, which improves fuel
economy and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don
’t use it when:
• Going up a steep grade.
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
• Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transmission will then shift through a
3-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st O/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.
Shift lever
Overdrive button
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Turn the control knob to SET/COAST and
hold it. The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the knob at the speed you want.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the CRUISE
MAIN switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the control knob is turned to
RESUME/ACCEL.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and turn the control knob
to RESUME/ACCEL.

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
• Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
• Slightly depress the brake pedal.
• Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transmission only)
The system is off when the ignition is off.
Control knob
Control knob
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
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5-29
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

Immobilizer System Warning
Light*
If the immobilizer system is working
properly, the light will come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON or
START position. The light will go out
when confirmation by the immobilizer
system is completed.
If the light flashes rapidly, fails to come
on, or comes on and stays on, it indicates
a system malfunction. If any of these
occur, contact an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.

Headlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:
• The high-beam headlights are on.
• The turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.


O/D OFF Indicator Light
(Automatic transmission)
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.

Cruise Set Indicator Light*
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive
your Mazda in this condition could
cause damage to your transmission.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
*Some models.
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7-6
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S15-EA-03G
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transmission in Park (P), a manual
transmission in Reverse (R) or 1, and
turn off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a block both in front and behind
the tire.

Removing a Flat Tire
1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don ’t remove any until the tire has been
raised off the ground.
2. Place the jack under the jacking position closest to the tire being
changed.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use a rock or
wood block of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
Jacking position
J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book Page 6 Thursday, August 21, 2003 10:04 AM