²Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
²Rear 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
ªwear barsº, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
ªwear barsº, 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:
²Fabric showing through the tire rubber
²Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
²Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
²Cracks in the tread groove
²Impact damage resulting from use
²Separation in the tread
²Separation in the sidewall
²Severe 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
238
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
²Observe posted speed limits
²Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
²Avoid potholes and objects on the road
²Do 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
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 CHAINS
WARNING: 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
239
Fluid Mazda Part
NameApplication Capacity
Fuel tank N/A Regular cab
(Short wheel
base)64.4L (17
gallons)
SuperCab 73.8L (19.5
gallons)
Transfer Case
FluidMazda
MERCONtAT F4x4 Vehicles 1.2L (1.25
quarts)
Front axle
lubricantMazda SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant4x4 Vehicles 1.7L (3.6 pints)
Rear axle
lubricant
5Mazda SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantAll 2.4-2.5L (5.0-5.3
pints)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.6L (2.75
quarts)
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. MERCONtand MERCONtV are not interchangeable. DO NOT
mix MERCONtand MERCONtV. Refer to the service maintenance
section to determine the correct service interval.
2Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick's normal operating range.
4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. DO NOT MIX
different colors or types of coolant. DO NOT USE Mazda Extended Life
Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine coolant, in
this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
242
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Regular Cab
mm (in)SuperCab mm
(in)
(1) Overall length 4 786 (188.4) 5 168 (203.4)
(2) Overall width 1 785 (70.3) 1 785 (70.3)
(3) Overall height 4x2/4x4 1 651 (65.0) /
1 727 (68.0)1 651 (65.0) /
1 727 (68.0)
(4) Wheelbase 2 831 (111.4) 3 192 (125.7)
(5) Track - Front 1 486 (58.5) 1 485 (58.5)
(5) Track - Rear 1 455 (57.3) 1 455 (57.3)
2
5
3
Maintenance and Specifications
245
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............175
instrument panel ....................178
interior .....................................178
interior trim ............................178
Mazda car care products .......179
plastic parts ............................177
washing ....................................174
waxing .....................................174
wheels ......................................175
wiper blades ............................177
Clock adjust
AM/FM Stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................20
AM/FM stereo tape/CD/MP3 ....23
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................26
Single CD ..................................19
Clutch
fluid ..........................................222
operation while driving ..........117
recommended shift speeds ....118
Compass, electronic ..............46±47
calibration .................................48
set zone adjustment .................47
Console ........................................53
Coolant
checking and adding ..............202
refill capacities ................205, 240
specifications ..................243±244
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................49
Customer
Assistance ..................163±164, 167
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................34Dipstick
engine oil .................................194
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........243
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................226
Driving under special
conditions ..................119, 121±122
mud ..........................................122
sand .........................................122
snow and ice ...........................123
through water .................122±123
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................157
Emergency Flashers .................137
Emission control system ..........217
Engine ........................................245
cleaning ...................................175
coolant .....................................202
idle speed control ...................200
limp to safety cooling .............206
lubrication
specifications ..................243±244
refill capacities ........................240
service points ..................190±192
starting after a collision .........137
Engine block heater .................109
Engine oil ..................................194
checking and adding ..............194
dipstick ....................................194
filter, specifications ................198
recommendations ...................198
refill capacities ........................240
specifications ..................243±244
Exhaust fumes ..........................110
Index
250
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....208
Fluid capacities .........................240
Foglamps .....................................34
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......119
driving off road .......................121
electronic shift ........................120
indicator light .........................120
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................113
Fuel ............................................208
calculating fuel economy .......214
cap ...........................................211
capacity ...................................240
choosing the right fuel ...........212
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................217
detergent in fuel .....................214
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................208, 211, 214
filter, specifications ................214
fuel pump shut-off switch .....137
improving fuel economy ........214
octane rating ...................212, 245
quality ......................................213
running out of fuel .................214
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................208
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................208, 212
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......137
Fuses ..................................138±139
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............211
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................214
Gauges .........................................16GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................127
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................127
H
Hazard flashers .........................137
Headlamps ...................................34
aiming ........................................35
bulb specifications ....................36
daytime running lights .............34
flash to pass ..............................35
high beam .................................35
replacing bulbs .........................37
turning on and off ....................34
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........31±32
Hood ..........................................189
I
Ignition ...............................105, 245
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..93
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................219
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................178
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................35
location of components ............12
J
Jack ............................................149
positioning ...............................149
Index
251
Remote entry system ...........55±56
arming and disarming the
anti-theft system ......................57
illuminated entry ......................59
locking/unlocking doors .....55±56
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................58
replacing the batteries .............57
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............76
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................65, 67±68, 70
Safety defects, reporting ..........173
Safety restraints ..............65, 67±70
belt minder ...............................73
extension assembly ..................72
for adults .............................67±68
for children .........................89±90
lap belt ......................................70
safety belt maintenance ...........76
warning light and chime ..........72
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................101
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ........................................98
Safety seats for children ............93
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............65
Seats ............................................63
child safety seats ......................93
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................60
Servicing your vehicle ..............188
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................20AM/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 .......245
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................243±244
Speed control ..............................49
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......109
Starting your vehicle .......105±106,
108
jump starting ..........................157
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................44
Stereo
Single CD ..................................19
T
Tether anchors ............................98
Tilt steering wheel ......................44
Tires ...........................149, 227±228
changing ..........149±150, 153, 156
snow tires and chains ............239
tire grades ...............................228
treadwear ................................228
Towing .......................................128
recreational towing .................135
trailer towing ..........................128
wrecker ....................................162
Traction-lok rear axle ...............113
Index
253