Driving Your Mazda; Foot Brake; Parking Brake- Page 78

5-4

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8Q47-EA-01F

▼

Foot 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.

▼

Parking Brake

Setting the parking brake

Depress the brake pedal, then pull the 
brake handle fully upward.

Brake System

Driving with the Engine Off:
Continuing to drive when the engine 
is 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. Don’t continue 
driving when the engine is stalled or 
turned off, find a safe place to stop.

Riding the Brakes:
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. 
Shift to a lower gear when going 
down steep hills.

WARNING

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 is 
normal.

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

WARNING

CAUTION

J76Y.book  Page 4  Wednesday, March 27, 2002  5:04 PM