2004 MAZDA MODEL B2300 TRUCK tires

Seating and Safety Restraints 63
Seating 63
Safety restraints 65
Air bags 77
Child restraints 89
Driving 105
Starting 105
Brakes 110
Transmission operation 114
Vehicle loading 124
Trailer towing 128
Recreational towing 135
Roadside Emergencies 137
Hazard flasher switch 137
Fuel pump shut-off switch 137
Fuses and relays 138
Overheating 148
Changing tires 149
Jump starting 157
Wrecker towing 162
Customer Assistance 163
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 173
Cleaning 174
Table of Contents
2

STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver's effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
²Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²Uneven vehicle loading
²High crown in center of road
²High crosswinds
²Wheels out of alignment
²Loose or worn suspension components
TRACTION-LOK AXLE/LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING: Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING: In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a safety
belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Driving
113

This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from
accidentally being shifted into R (Reverse) from 5 (Overdrive).
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, then shift into 1 (First).
3. Turn the ignition off.
WARNING: Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set
the parking brake fully.
Removing the key
Turn the ignition off, push the
release lever (located above the
ignition), then turn the key toward
you and remove the key.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in
this chapter.
Four±wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
PUSH
Driving
119

Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop
2. Depress the brake
3. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral); on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, depress the clutch.
4. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
²If shifting into 4X4 LOW, wait for the 4WD LOW light in the
instrument cluster to turnonindicating the shift is complete.
²If shifting out of 4X4 LOW, wait for the 4WD LOW light in the
instrument cluster to turnoffindicating the shift is complete.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Driving
121

WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to the driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
Replace rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. The rear axle does not normally require a lubricant change for the
life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected or repair is required.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
Driving
122

TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer -
m
2(ft2)
Regular Cab
2.3L All 2,177 (4,800) 717 (1,580) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2,722 (6,000) 1,207 (2,660) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Dual
Sport4.10 2,722 (6,000) 1,143 (2,520) 4.64 (50)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
2.3L All 2,177 (4,800) 644 (1,420) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2,722 (6,000) 1,125 (2,480) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Dual
Sport4.10 2,722 (6,000) 1,089 (2,400) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3,175 (7,000) 1,542 (3,400) 4.64 (50)
4.0L Dual
SportAll 3,175 (7,000) 1,506 (3,320) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1,000
ft.) elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier
in this chapter.
Driving
128

²If steam is coming from the engine compartment:do not go near
the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine, then turn the ignition switch
to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling
fans will start to cool the engine.
²If neither coolant nor steam is escaping:open the hood and idle
the engine until it cools. If this does not lower the temperature, stop
the engine and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it is low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator and
water pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking, stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda dealer.
SeeAdding coolantin theMaintenance and specificationssection. If
you find no problems, the engine is cool and no leaks are obvious,
carefully add coolant as required.
WARNING: When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding
coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Do not remove the cooling system cap when the
engine and radiator are hot.
Note:If the engine continues to overheat or frequently overheats, have
the cooling system inspected. The engine could be seriously damaged
unless repairs are made.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
WARNING: The use of tire sealants is not recommended and
may damage your tires.
Temporary spare tire information (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a conventional spare tire that may be
different in size (smaller diameter and narrower width) than other tires
on your vehicle. If this is the case, your spare tire is considered
ªtemporaryº and the spare wheel will be labeled as such. Replace this
tire with a tire of the same size, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as the other road tires as soon as possible.
Roadside Emergencies
149

It is not recommended that the vehicle be operated in 4WD modes with
a ªtemporaryº (i.e. dissimilar size) spare. If 4WD operation is necessary,
do not operate above speeds of 16 km/h (10 mph) or for distances above
80 km (50 miles).
WARNING: If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or
do not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you
to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or
others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) or drive further than 3,200 km (2,000
miles) total under any circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
²Handling, stability and braking performance
²Comfort and noise
²Ground clearance and parking at curbs
²Winter driving capability
Conventional spare tire information (if equipped)
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can use it as a spare or a
regular tire. The spare is identical to the other tires on your vehicle,
although the wheel may not match.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Roadside Emergencies
150