7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
3. Replace the spare tire carrier cap in the
socket and turn it until the spare tire is
pulled up tight.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
Loose Spare Tire Carrier Socket:
A loose spare tire carrier socket cap is
dangerous. The cable could be cut
causing the spare tire to fall off. This
could result in someone being badly
injured or even killed.
Always screw the spare tire carrier
socket cap completely tight and make
sure the spare tire is locked in the
highest position.
If you hear rattling from the spare tire
carrier while the vehicle is moving, the
spare tire carrier cable may be cut.
Have it repaired at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
CAUTION
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it
could indicate a flat tire.
•Steering becomes difficult.
•The vehicle begins to vibrate
excessively.
•The vehicle pulls in one direction.
Jacking a Vehicle:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a
jack.
Passenger in Vehicle Supported by a
Jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury. Never allow anyone inside a
vehicle supported by a jack.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 8 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-9
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Shift into Park (P) and turn off the
engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a block both in front and behind
the tire.
Removing a Flat Tire
1. Pry off the wheel cover with the
beveled end of the jack lever.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated
before using it.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
If the jack leans towards the front or
the rear when jacking up, lower the
vehicle until the wheels are firmly on
the ground. Then confirm that the
parking brake is set, the shift lever is in
Park (P), then push the blocks firmly
under the blocked tire.
NOTE
Force the end of the jack lever firmly
between wheel and cover, or removal
will be difficult.
CAUTION
Jack leverWheel cover
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 9 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-11
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
4. Insert the jack lever and attach the lug
wrench to tire jack.
5. Turn the lug wrench clockwise and
raise the vehicle high enough so that
the spare tire can be installed. Before
removing the lug nuts, make sure your
Mazda is firmly in position and that it
cannot slip or move.
6. Remove the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise; then remove the
wheel.Locking Lug Nuts*
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock the tires and you must use a special
key to unlock them. This key is attached
to the lug wrench and is stored with the
spare tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it in
the accompanying envelope. If you lose
your key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer’s
order form, which is with the registration
card.
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Get the key for the locking lug nut.
2. Place it on top of the nut, and be sure to
hold the key square to it. If you hold
the key at an angle, you may damage
both key and nut. Don’t use a power
impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
Lug wrench
Jack lever
Antitheft lug nutSpecial key
*Some models.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 11 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
To replace the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,
apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
Mounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
2. Mount the spare tire.3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
WARNING
Don’t Apply Oil or Grease to Lug
Nuts, Bolts:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could
loosen while driving and cause the
tire to come off, resulting in an
accident. In addition, lug nuts and
bolts could be damaged if tightened
more than necessary. Do not apply oil
or grease to lug nuts and bolts and do
not tighten the lug nuts beyond the
recommended tightening torque.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 12 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
7-13
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
4. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise
and lower the vehicle. Use the lug
wrench to tighten the nuts in the order
shown.
If you’re unsure of how tight the nuts
should be, have them inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Nut tightening torque:
5. Put the flat tire in the special vinyl bag
and tie it at the top.
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf)108—147
(11—15, 80—108)
Loose Lug Nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug
nuts are dangerous. The wheel could
wobble or come off. This could result
in loss of vehicle control and cause a
serious accident. Always securely and
correctly tighten the lug nuts.
Metric Studs and Lug Nuts:
Because the wheel studs and lug nuts
on your Mazda have metric threads,
using a non-metric nut is dangerous.
On a metric stud, it would not secure
the wheel and would damage the stud,
which could cause the wheel to slip
off and cause an accident. Be sure to
reinstall the same nuts you removed
or replace them with metric nuts of
the same configuration.
Incorrect Tire Air Pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air
pressure is dangerous. Tires with
incorrect pressure could affect
handling and result in an accident.
Don’t drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure. When you
check the regular tires’ air pressure,
check the spare tire, too.
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 13 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-27
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
Tire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts
(page 10-7).
Tires
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-7)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of
tires is dangerous. Adverse handling
or unexpected tire failure could result
in a serious accident. Always inflate
the tires to the correct pressure (page
10-7).
WARNING
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 27 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-28
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)/8,000 km*
(5,000 miles) or sooner if irregular wear
develops. During rotation, inspect them
for correct balance.
* Unique driving conditions for USA,
Canada and Puerto Rico
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
•Incorrect tire pressure
•Improper wheel alignment
•Out-of-balance wheel
•Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-7) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
NOTE
•Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don’t
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
•Underinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy and poor sealing of
the tire bead, which will deform the
wheel and cause separation of tire
from rim.
•Overinflation can produce a harsh
ride and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the
correct levels. If one frequently
needs inflating, have it inspected.
Front
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 28 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM
8-29
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S06-EA-03H
Replacing a Tire
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.
Temporary Spare Tire
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it’s properly
inflated and stored.
The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction. It is
lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire and should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.
Maintain its pressure at 420 kPa
(4.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 60 psi). Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be weakened if rotated from side
to side.Worn Tires:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Always use tires that are in good
condition.
CAUTION
WARNING
New tread Worn treadTread wear indicator
•Don’t use your temporary spare tire
rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage both
tire and rim.
•The temporary spare tire has a tread
life of up to 5,000 km (3,000 miles),
depending on road conditions and
driving habits.
•The temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator appears,
replace the tire with the same type
of temporary spare (page 8-29).
CAUTION
J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book Page 29 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 4:19 PM