2004 MAZDA MODEL B2300 TRUCK towing

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

²Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
²To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control
switch. The O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
²O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
1 (First)
²Provides maximum engine braking.
²Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
²Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
²Allowed in
(Overdrive) or Drive.
²Depress the accelerator to the floor.
²Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
The manual transmission has a starter interlock that prevents cranking
the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the gearshift lever in the
neutral position.
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R
Driving
117

SPECIAL LOADING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OWNERS OF PICKUP
TRUCKS AND UTILITY-TYPE VEHICLES
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle
section in this chapter.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a
heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Vehicle Loading ± with and without a trailer
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's
Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
Base Curb Weight± is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight± is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight± includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
Driving
124

GAW (Gross Axle Weight)± is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) ± including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)± is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the driver's door or door pillar. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its GAWR.
WARNING: Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling, performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and
personal injury.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer Towingfound in
this chapter or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your
dealership.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)± is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
Driving
125

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)± is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the driver's
door or door pillar. The GVW
must never exceed the GVWR.
WARNING: Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling, performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and
personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)± is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)± is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer ± including all cargo and
passengers ± that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle's braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 680 kg
[1,500 lbs]).The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.

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

4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight - kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer -
m
2(ft2)
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier
in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
4x4 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
3.0L All 2,722 (6,000) 1,061 (2,340) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 3,175 (7,000) 1,479 (3,260) 4.64 (50)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
4.0L All 3,175 (7,000) 1,406 (3,100) 4.64 (50)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 300 meters (1,000
ft.) of elevation.
For definition of terms used in this table, seeVehicle loadingearlier
in this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Driving
129

4x2 w/automatic 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 2,495 (5,500) 1,016 (2,240) Equal to
frontal area
of vehicle
3.0L 3.73 2,722 (6,000) 1,188 (2,620) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Dual
Sport4.10 2,722 (6,000) 1,125 (2,480) 4.64 (50)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
3.0L 3.73 2,722 (6,000) 1,107 (2,440) 4.64 (50)
3.0L Dual
Sport4.10 2,722 (6,000) 1,070 (2,360) 4.64 (50)
4.0L All 4,309 (9,500) 2,658 (5,860) 4.64 (50)
4.0L Dual
SportAll 4,309 (9,500) 2,604 (5,740) 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.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle, seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier
in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
Driving
130