Mazda Mazdaspeed 6 (2007 year). Manual — part 9

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Turbocharger Information

The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved
operation and requires minimum additional maintenance. To get maximum performance
from your turbocharged engine, take note of the following tips:

l

The turbocharged engine is designed for optimal operation with premium unleaded
gasoline (page 4-2). Do not use fuel with a lower octane rating. Extra fuel additives are
NOT recommended.

l

Change the engine oil and filter using the turbo engine interval outlined in the
maintenance schedule (for your driving condition).

l

Use only the recommended engine oil (page 8-13). Extra oil additives are NOT
recommended.

l

After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to
cool the turbo before turning off the engine. Avoid simply shutting the engine off
abruptly after a hard or long drive. Damage to the turbocharger may result.

l

Don't race or over-rev the engine when starting. This should not be done with ANY
engine, especially not with one that's turbocharged.

l

Do not add any aftermarket devices to alter the engine's ignition timing, fuel delivery, or
turbo boost pressure. This may lead to serious engine damage and may void your
warranty.

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

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Trailer Towing

The Mazdaspeed6 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazdaspeed6.

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Before Driving Your Mazda

Towing

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5

Driving Your Mazda

Explanation of instruments and controls.

Starting and Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Ignition Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-2
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Manual Transaxle Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Operation . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-17
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-18

Instrument Cluster and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

Meters and Gauges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-20

Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds . . . . . . . 5-24

Warning/Indicator Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Beep Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-35

Switches and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36

Lighting Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-38
Fog Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-38
Windshield Wipers and Washer . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-39
Rear Window Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5-40
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5-42

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Ignition Switch

(With advanced key)

NOTE

When starting the engine using the
advanced key, refer to Starting the
Engine (page 3-10).

When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
procedure.

1. Remove the auxiliary key from the

advanced 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 ignition

switch.

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.

Push the key

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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.

Before leaving the driver's seat,
always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in 1 or R:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake and the shift
lever 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.

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 5-24).

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 5-24).

qIgnition 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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Starting the Engine

NOTE

1. Occupants should fasten their seat

belts.

2. Make sure the parking brake is on.

3. Depress the brake pedal.

4. Depress the clutch pedal all the way

and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.

NOTE

The starter will not operate if the clutch
pedal is not depressed all the way.

5. Turn the ignition switch to the START

position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.

CAUTION

Don't try the starter for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine stalls or
fails to start, wait 10 seconds before
trying again. Otherwise, you may
damage the starter and drain the battery.

6. After starting the engine, let it idle for

about 10 seconds.

NOTE

l

In extremely cold weather, below

_18 °C (0 °F), or after the vehicle
has not been driven in several days,
let the engine warm up without
operating the accelerator.

l

Whether the engine is cold or warm,
it should be started without use of
the accelerator.

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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Brake System

qFoot Brake

Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.

Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.

WARNING

Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause
longer stopping distances or even an
accident.

Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily applying
the brakes for long distances is
dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.

WARNING

Dry brakes that have become wet by
driving very slowly and applying the
brakes lightly until brake performance
is normal:
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.

qParking Brake

WARNING

Before leaving the driver's seat,
always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in 1 or R:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake and the shift
lever is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur. This could
cause an accident.

CAUTION

Driving with the parking brake on will
cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.

NOTE

For parking in snow, refer to Winter
Driving (page 4-8) regarding parking
brake use.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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Setting the parking brake

Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully upwards
with a greater amount of force than is
required so that the vehicle holds in the
stationary position.

Releasing the parking brake

Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.

qBrake System Warning Light

This warning has the following functions:

Parking brake warning

The light comes on when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It goes off
when the parking brake is fully released.

Low brake fluid level warning

If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.

Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.

You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push or that it may go closer to the floor.
In either case, it will take longer to stop
the vehicle.

1. With the engine stopped, check the

brake fluid level immediately and add
fluid as required (page 8-17).

2. After adding fluid, check the light

again.

If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Even if the light goes out have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

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Starting and Driving

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NOTE

Having to add brake fluid is sometimes
an indicator of leakage. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible even if the brake light is no
longer illuminated.

WARNING

Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system warning
light illuminated 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 illuminated, after checking
that the parking brake is fully
released, have the brakes inspected
immediately.

qAnti-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.

WARNING

Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.

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.

qABS Warning Light

The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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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.

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.

qElectronic Brake Force

Distribution System Warning

If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may turn the brake system
warning light and the ABS warning light
on at the same time. The problem is likely
to be an electronic brake force distribution
system.

WARNING

Do not drive with both the ABS
warning light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated at the same time is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly in
an emergency stop than under normal
circumstances.

qBrake Pad Wear Indicator

When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.

When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.

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Starting and Driving

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WARNING

Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Manual Transaxle Operation

qManual Transaxle Shift Pattern

Neutral position

Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.

Your vehicle is equipped with a device to
prevent shifting to R (reverse) by mistake.
Push the shift lever downward and shift to
R.

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

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WARNING

Do not use sudden engine braking on
slippery road surfaces or at high
speeds:
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.

Be sure to leave the shift lever in 1 or
R position and set the parking brake
when leaving the vehicle unattended:
Otherwise the vehicle could move and
cause an accident.

CAUTION

l

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.

l

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.

qRecommendations for Shifting

Upshifting

For normal acceleration, we recommend
these shift points.

Gear

Vehicle speed

1 to 2

30 km/h (19 mph)

2 to 3

47 km/h (29 mph)

3 to 4

59 km/h (37 mph)

4 to 5

68 km/h (42 mph)

5 to 6

90 km/h (50 mph)

For cruising

Gear

Vehicle speed

1 to 2

18 km/h (11 mph)

2 to 3

40 km/h (25 mph)

3 to 4

51 km/h (32 mph)

4 to 5

64 km/h (40 mph)

5 to 6

78 km/h (49 mph)

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.

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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

AWD provides excellent driveability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.

qAWD Driving

This vehicle has not been designed for the
purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do
not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky
surfaces, or across rivers.
Although this vehicle is equipped with
AWD, acceleration, steering and braking
operations should be conducted in the
same manner as with a non-AWD vehicle,
with the emphasis placed on safe driving.

qAWD Warning Light

This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
Thereafter, the warning light will
illuminate or flash under the following
conditions:

l

Illuminates when there is an
abnormality with the AWD system.

l

Flashes when the differential oil
temperature is abnormally high.

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Starting and Driving

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l

Flashes when there are continually
large differences between front and rear
wheel rotation, such as when trying to
pull away from an icy surface.

If the AWD warning light illuminates:

If the AWD warning light illuminates,
contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

If the AWD warning light flashes:

Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a
few moments; if the warning light stops
flashing, you can resume driving. If the
light does not stop flashing, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

WARNING

Never spin a wheel that is off the
ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the
ground as a result of the vehicle being
stuck or in a ditch is dangerous. The
drive assembly could be seriously
damaged which could lead to an
accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.

qTires and Tire Chains

The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to
the drive assembly, please note the
following:

Tires

l

When replacing tires, always replace
all front and rear tires at the same time.

l

All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when
equipping snow or other types of
winter tires.

l

Do not mix tread-worn tires with
normal tires.

l

Inspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods and adjust to the
specified pressures.

NOTE

Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.

l

Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specified size,
on all wheels. With AWD, the system
is calibrated for all four wheels being
of the same dimensions.

Tire chains

This vehicle cannot be driven with tire
chains installed because they could cause
interference with the vehicle body or
scratching.

qTowing

If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all four wheels completely off
the ground(page 7-18).

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Starting and Driving

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Cruise Control

With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).

WARNING

Do not use the cruise control under
the following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control.

l

Hilly terrain

l

Steep inclines

l

Heavy or unsteady traffic

l

Slippery or winding roads

l

Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed

qCruise Main Indicator Light

This light comes on when the CRUISE
MAIN switch is pressed and the cruise
control system is activated.

qCruise Set Indicator Light

This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

qActivation/Deactivation

To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.

To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.

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Starting and Driving

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WARNING

Keep the ON/OFF switch off when
cruise control is not in use:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as you may hit one of the
other buttons and put the vehicle in
cruise control unexpectedly. This
could result in loss of vehicle control.

qTo Set Speed

1. Activate the cruise control system by

pressing the ON/OFF switch.

2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which

must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).

3. Press the SET/COAST button and

release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.

Don't continue to hold in the button. Until
you release it, speed will continue to drop
(unless you continue to accelerate) and
you'll miss the desired speed.

NOTE

l

The SET function can't be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.

l

On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.

qTo Increase Cruising Speed

Follow either of these procedures.

l

Press the RES/ACCEL button and hold
it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.

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Starting and Driving

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