wheel MAZDA MODEL PROTÉGÉ 2003 (in English) Owner's Manual

5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
Various Lockouts:

Transaxle Ranges
The shift lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the
front 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 as
explained under Rocking the Vehicle
(page 4-7).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
Automatic Transaxle
Controls (Sport AT)
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.
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
transaxle.
•Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transaxle.
WARNING
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 13 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully (D range). The
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.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 rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than five
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 18 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

5-26
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is in the tank. We recommend
keeping the tank over 1/4 full. When the
low fuel warning light illuminates or
when the needle is near E, refuel as soon
as possible.

Dashboard Illumination
When the headlight switch is in the
or position, rotate the thumb-wheel
to adjust the brightness of the dashboard
lights.
Low fuel warning
light
Bright
Dim
J39L_EA.book Page 26 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Charging System Warning Light
This warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light comes on while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
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, 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.
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
Don't continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated.
CAUTION
J39L_EA.book Page 30 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

5-32
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

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.
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning
Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is OK, the warning light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position or after the engine is cranked.
After about 6 seconds it goes out.
A system malfunction is indicated when
the warning light constantly flashes, stays
on or doesn’t come on at all. If any of
these occur, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible. The system
may not work in an accident.
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.
J39L_EA.book Page 32 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

5-41
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
To sound the horn, press around the
mark of the steering wheel.The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.
Depress the hazard warning switch and all
four turn signals will flash at once.
HornHazard Warning Flasher
NOTE
•The turn signals don’t work when
the hazard warning lights are on.
•Check local regulations about the
use of hazard warning lights while
the vehicle is being towed. They
may forbid it.
Hazard warning flasher switch
J39L_EA.book Page 41 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

6-3
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Adjusting the Vents
Directing airflow
You can direct air flow by moving the adjustment knob.
Adjusting the amount of airflow
These vents can be opened and closed with wheel.
Vent Operation
NOTE
When using the air conditioner, mist may come out from the vents. This is not a sign of
trouble but a result of humid air being suddenly cooled.
Knob Open
Close
* Depending on the model some vents may not be available.
J39L_EA.book Page 3 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

7-6
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
To remove the spare tire
Turn the tire hold-down bolt
counterclockwise with the lug wrench.
Driving with a Temporary Spare Tire
on Ice or Snow:
Driving with a spare tire on the front
(driving) wheels on ice or snow is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle
and have an accident. Put the spare
tire on the rear axle and move a
regular tire to the front.
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
•Don’t exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
•Avoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don’t drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire’s
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire’s, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm
(1 in).
•Don’t use a tire chain on this tire
because it won’t fit properly.
•Don’t use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
•Use only one temporary spare tire
on your vehicle at the same time.
WARNING
CAUTIONLug wrench
Bolt
Tire clamp
Except MAZDASPEED Protege
Bolt
Tire clamp
MAZDASPEED Protege
J39L_EA.book Page 6 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

7-7
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle 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 front
wheel, place the block both in front and
behind the tire. When blocking a rear
wheel, place the block both in front and
behind the tire.
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
•Steering becomes difficult.
•The vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
•The vehicle pulls in one direction.
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
WARNING
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
J39L_EA.book Page 7 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM

7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8Q94-EA-02G

Removing a Flat Tire
1. Pry off the wheel cover with the
beveled end of the lug wrench.2. 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.
3. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
NOTE
Force the end of the wrench firmly
between wheel and cover, or removal
will be difficult.
Align the notch on the wheel cover
with the valve stem when installing it.
Damage could occur during
installation if the wheel cover is not
properly aligned.
Wheel cover
Lug wrench
CAUTION
Tire valve
NotchJacking position
J39L_EA.book Page 8 Saturday, June 8, 2002 5:35 PM