The Mazda2 Automatic’s main controls, explained

By Stuart Johnston

We're going to assume that you managed to unlock the door, get in, adjust the seat and buckle your safety belt all by yourself. While you’re at it, adjust that central rear-view mirror too. We're  not going to attempt to explain all the unusual minor controls fitted to your vehicle – that's what the owner's manual is for, so please read it. You’ll find it enriches the ownership experience. But for now, here are the main controls and what they do.

1. Ignition key

This is where you start the car and turn it off. Note that these days some cars have a keyless-go function where you can simply place the key in the console, depress the brake pedal and push a start button. But if there is a key on the fob, this is where it fits, into a slot on the right side of the steering column.

2. Indicator stalk

This being a Japanese car, the indicator stalk is on the right side, behind the steering wheel. (European cars usually have the indicator stalk on the left-hand-side) It’s one of the most important safety controls on a car, so please use it, to make your intentions known to others well in advance. This one operates those vital winking lights on the outside extremities of your car, which show other road users which way you're going to turn, or if you are intending to change lanes on the freeway.

3. Wipers

This one is located behind the steering wheel on the left-hand side. When the rain starts to fall, moving this stalk up or down operates the wipers. It also operates the screen washer  when you pull the lever towards you. Hatch back versions of the Mazda2 have a rear screen washer and wipe function too.

4. Light switch

On this car the light switch is a rotary knob located on the end of the indicator stalk. To turn on the head- and tail lights, twist this rotary switch clockwise, and to turn them off, twist it counter-clockwise. Simple.

5. Hazard warning lights

On the Mazda2, thus red triangle button is located next to the left of the central  air vent on the dashboard. You punch this button in case of an emergency, such as accident, or if your car breaks down. Or, when you encounter hazardous road conditions. A heavy downpour where visibility is impaired is a typical situation where hazard lights are useful. And so is a sudden jam-up to stand-still speeds up ahead on the freeway. Or an accident up ahead.

6. Hooter

Use this noise maker to warn other road users of your presence, if they are intruding into your lane up ahead, or to honk  a last cheery good-bye to your friends or family as you pull out of the driveway. Don’t use it to express anger!

7. Steering wheel

Use this to make your car change direction, or to keep it in a wiggle-free straight-ahead direction. Your hands should be placed on the rim at the 10-2 or quarter-to-three position. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, never look down!

8. Pedals

The rightmost one is the accelerator – it makes the car go faster when you squeeze it down towards the carpet, and the car slows when you lift your foot off this pedal.

The one on the left  is the brake – which makes you slow down more,  the harder you push it.

In the case of manual models (not shown in the picture) the brake is in the middle and the left pedal  is the clutch – automatic cars don’t have this pedal. When slowing down,  lift off the accelerator and  use the brake to slow, then keep on using the brake with harder pressure  to slow more. In a manual car, use the above technique  and when you are nearly at stopping speed, continue to brake smoothly to a stop and simultaneously push in the clutch to prevent the engine from stalling.

9. Gear selector

This lever first and foremost allows you to decide in which direction you want to travel. In an automatic car, “D” takes you forward, “R” gives you reverse gear, and “P” should only be used when the car is parked. With a manual gearbox (not shown in the picture), the lever offers five or six forward gears and one reverse, as well as neutral, used when you are stationary. You need to depress the clutch pedal on a manual (not shown in the picture) before engaging any of the gears – first for pulling away, top gear for highway cruising, and the gears in between for  accelerating, or matching the engine revs to the speed you are travelling at.

10. Handbrake

This one on the Mazda2  is a conventional lever, located between the seats, which needs to be pulled upwards to engage the parking brake. To disengage, you press the button on the end in, tug slightly upwards and keeping the button in, release the brake by letting it down.

Only use this lever when parking. If the lever is pulled up, the parking brake is on, and if it's down, the parking brake is off. You may also use this lever when pulling away on an incline, gradually releasing it as you feed in engine power.

11. Infotainment system

This is where you can play your favourite music as loaded on an I-Pod or similar device, connect your phone via Bluetooth, or tune in to your favourite  afternoon drive show on your way home. You can also access other useful information here, regarding your car. On the Mazda2, control for this screen is via a bright-metal  rotary knob on the centre console.

12. Air-con controls

This cluster of dials is where you set the cabin temperature you desire, and how much fresh air the fan has to blow through the vents. You also set the direction of the air, and decide whether you want fresh air or the air in the cabin recirculated, and the air-conditioning operating or not.

13. Mirror adjustment

This little toggle button controls the wing mirror adjustment. To switch between the left or right-hand wing mirror, you should first twist the knob, clockwise for the right-hand mirror and anti-clockwise for the left-hand wing mirror. Once you have set it, you jiggle it forward or back, left or right, to set the mirrors at the right height and outwards angle.  The central mirror inside the car, mounted just above the windscreen,  is adjusted by hand.

14. Window controls

This switch-cluster allows you to open or close all the windows.

15. Window locking switch

This a safety device to prevent young children from opening the rear windows. Or perhaps your front passenger is a fresh-air junky, and the wind-noise is driving you crazy. This is where you get to be in control!

16. Active steering wheel controls

These on the left spoke are for the audio system’s volume control, station selection on the radio, and hands-free telephone call answering.

17. Infotainment menu control

 This is a rotary switch, on the console, allowing you to call up the desired menu and control system on the communication pod mounted on the dashboard.