Driving Your Mazda; Driving Tips; Power Steering- Page 98

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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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.

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

J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book  Page 14  Thursday, August 21, 2003  10:04 AM