2004 MAZDA MODEL RX 8 ground clearance

7-5
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
The IMS emergency flat tire repair kit
included with your Mazda is for a
temporary repair of a slightly damaged
flat tire resulting from running over nails
or similar sharp objects on the road
surface. To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
•Don’t exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
•Avoid driving over obstacles.
Also, don’t drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire’s
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire’s, so the ground
clearance is reduced about 25 mm
(1 in).
•Don’t use a tire chain on this tire
because it won’t fit properly.
•Don’t use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
•Use only one temporary spare tire
on your vehicle at the same time.
(With limited slip differential)

When using the temporary spare tire
on the rear axle, replace it with a
standard tire as soon as possible. The
size difference between the spare and
the standard tire will cause the limited
slip differential to malfunction.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)

A tire pressure sensor is not installed
to the temporary spare tire. The
warning light will flash continuously
while the temporary spare tire is being
used (page 5-25).
CAUTIONInstant Mobility System
(IMS) Emergency Flat Tire
Repair Kit
NOTE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire. In the event of a flat tire, use
the emergency flat tire repair kit to
repair the tire temporarily. When doing
the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the emergency flat tire
repair kit. After temporarily repairing a
tire with the emergency flat tire repair
kit, take your vehicle to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer to have the tire replaced.
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 5 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM

8-23
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C
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.
Use all radial, all bias-belted, or all
bias-type tires.
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.
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
WARNING
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.
*Some models.
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8-26
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R65-EA-03C

Replacing a Wheel
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
Using a Wrong-Sized Wheel:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident. Always use
wheels of the correct size on your
vehicle.
•A wrong-sized wheel may
adversely affect:
Tire fit
Wheel and bearing life
Ground clearance
Snow-chain clearance
Speedometer calibration
Headlight aim
Bumper height
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Limited-Slip Differential System
•(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)

When replacing/repairing the
tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Authorized
Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be
damaged.
The wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire
pressure sensors.
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
Be sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.(page 5-27)
J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 26 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM