Driving Your Mazda; Driving Tips; Power Steering- Page 95

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8R09-EA-02G

O/D OFF indicator light

This light comes on when the overdrive 
has been turned off.

▼

Driving Tips

Passing

For extra power when passing another 
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress the 
accelerator fully. The transmission 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 1, 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 2 or 1, 
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.

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

Power Steering

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.

CAUTION

J07R_8R09_EA_02G_Edition4.book  Page 13  Monday, February 3, 2003  1:16 PM