Driving Your Mazda; Brake Warning Light:; Starting and Driving- Page 101

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

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Anti-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.

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, after checking that 
the parking brake is released, 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

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

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.

WARNING

J56J_8R29_EA_02I_Edition4.book  Page 7  Monday, April 21, 2003  3:44 PM