
CHECKING AND ADDING REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Engage the parking brake fully –
put in first gear.
3. Assure the vehicle cannot move.
4. Clean the filler plug.
5. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level.
6. Fluid level should be at the bottom of the opening.
7. Add enough fluid through the filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
8. Install and tighten the fill plug securely.
Use only fluid that meets Mazda specifications. Refer to Lubricant
Specifications in this chapter.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
• Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
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Information on“T”type tires
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire
size.
Note: The temporary tire size for
your vehicle may be different than
this example.
1. T:Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA), that is
intended for temporary service
on cars, SUVs, minivans and
light trucks.
2. 145: Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
3. 80: Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tires ratio of height to width. Numbers of 70 or
lower indicate a short sidewall.
4. D: Indicates a “diagonal”type tire.
R: Indicates a “radial”type tire.
5. 16: Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
Location of the tire label
You will find a tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and
other important information located on the B-Pillar or the driver ’s door.
TIRE CARE
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can also cause tires to wear
abnormally. Here are some of the important maintenance items
Tire inflation pressure
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare,
at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly urged to buy a
reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station gauges may be
inaccurate.
SPARETIRE
TEMPORARYUSEONLY
INFLATETO60P.S.I.T
T145/80D16105M
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4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side, vibrate or shake when you ’re driving, the
wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a reputable repair facility. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, and
those with independent front suspension require alignment of all four
wheels.
The tire should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
NOTE: When it is time to replace front tires with new ones, this is an
ideal time to perform an alignment. New tires should be balanced at the
time they are installed.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Service Maintenance Guide that comes with your vehicle) will help your
tires wear more evenly providing better tire performance and longer tire
life. Unless otherwise specified, rotate the tires approximately every
8,000 km (5,000 miles).
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the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
“wear bars”, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
•Fabric showing through the tire rubber
• Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
• Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
• Cracks in the tread groove
• Impact damage resulting from use
• Separation in the tread
• Separation in the sidewall
• Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
• Observe posted speed limits
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If you vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING: Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or
property damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, or directly
ahead or behind the spinning tire.
WARNING: Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35
mph) point indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there ’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
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closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINSWARNING: Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds
for extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
NOTE: Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
• Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
• Use only SAE Class S chains.
• Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang
against the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not
work, remove the cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
• If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
• Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
• The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
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R
Radio ..........................18–19, 22, 26
Single CD ..................................19
Relays ........................................138
Remote entry system ...........55–56 arming and disarming the
anti-theft system ......................57
illuminated entry ......................60
locking/unlocking doors .....55–56
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................58
replacing the batteries .............58
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............77
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................66, 68 –69, 71
Safety defects, reporting ..........172
Safety restraints ..............66, 68 –71
belt minder ...............................73
extension assembly ..................73
for adults .............................68–69
for children .........................89 –90
lap belt ......................................72
safety belt maintenance ...........77
warning light and chime ..........73
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................102
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ........................................98
Safety seats for children ............93
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............66
Seats ............................................64 child safety seats ......................93 SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................60
Servicing your vehicle ..............187
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................20
AM/FM stereo tape/CD/MP3 ....23
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................26
Snowplowing .................................7
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...................................149–150
Spark plugs, specifications .......244
Special notice ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................243–244
Speed control ..............................49
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......108
Starting your
vehicle ........................105 –106, 108
jump starting ..........................156
Steering wheel tilting .........................................44
Stereo Single CD ..................................19
T
Tether anchors ............................98
Tilt steering wheel ......................44
Tires ...........................149, 226–227 changing ..........149–150, 152, 156
snow tires and chains ............239
tire grades ...............................227
treadwear ................................227
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