2004 MAZDA MODEL B-SERIES tires

•Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
236

•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note: If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility to check for and correct any wheel misalignment,
tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
“wear bars”, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
237

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
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
238

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.
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Maintenance and Specifications
239

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
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
Canadian French (fr-can)
Index
252