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Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressure
lImproper wheel alignment
lOut-of-balance wheel
lSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-7) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
CAUTION
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.
q Replacing a Tire
WARNING
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. If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New tread
Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace it before the band is
across the entire tread.
qTemporary 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
2or bar, 60 psi).
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-31
Page 282 of 340

CAUTION
lDon'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.
lThe temporary spare tire has a tread
life of up to 5,000 km (3,000 miles),
depending on road conditions and
driving habits.
lThe 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 8-31).
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
lTire fit
lWheel and bearing life
lGround clearance
lSpeedometer calibration
lHeadlight aim
lBumper height
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.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Page 283 of 340
Light Bulbs
Luggage compartment
light (Hatchback)
High-mount brake light
(Sedan)
Headlights
(High beam) Headlights
(Low beam)
Overhead light/
Map lights
Luggage compartment light
Sport Wagon
Taillights
Side-marker lights License plate lights Courtesy lights
Front turn signal lights Parking lights
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
High-mount brake light
Fog lights
Sedan/5-Door
Taillights
Side-marker lights
License plate lights
Courtesy lights
Front turn signal lights Parking lights
Reverse lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights Trunk light
Fog lights
High-mount brake light (Hatchback) Headlights
(High beam) (Low beam)
Headlights Map lights
Overhead light/
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Your Mazda's headlights and fog lights
have replaceable halogen bulbs.
WARNING
Handling Halogen Bulbs:
When a halogen bulb breaks, it is
dangerous. These bulbs contain
pressurized gas. If one is broken, it
will explode and serious injuries could
be caused by the flying glass.
If the glass portion is touched with
bare hands, body oil could cause the
bulb to overheat and explode when lit.
Never touch the glass portion of the
bulb with your bare hands and always
wear eye protection when handling or
working around halogen bulbs.
Children and Halogen Bulbs:
Playing with a halogen bulb is
dangerous. Serious injuries could be
caused by dropping a halogen bulb or
breaking it some other way.
Always keep halogen bulbs out of the
reach of children.
qReplacing Exterior Light Bulbs
Replacing the headlight, fog light andparking light bulbs
Due to the complexity and difficulty of
the procedure, the bulbs should be
replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Front turn signal lights
1. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it. 2. Remove the bulb by pushing it in
slightly and turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof removal.
Side-marker lights
1. Turn the screw counterclockwise and
remove it, then partially peel back the
mudguard.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assemblycounterclockwise and remove it.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Page 285 of 340
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Brake lights/Taillights, Rear turn signallights
(Sedan)
1. Pull the center section of the plasticretainer and remove the retainers and
partially open the trunk side trim.
Removal
Installation
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket. Brake lights/Taillights
Rear turn signal lights
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
NOTE
To replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-35
Page 286 of 340
(5-Door)
1. Turn the knob and remove the cover.
Left sideRight side
2. Pull the strap and remove the cover.
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket. Brake lights/Taillights
Rear turn signal lights
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
NOTE
To replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Page 287 of 340
(Sport Wagon)
1. Turn the knob and remove the cover.
Left sideRight side
2. Pull the strap and remove the cover.
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Rear turn signal lights
Brake lights/Taillights
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
NOTE
To replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Reverse lights, Taillights
(Sedan)
1. Pull the center section of the plasticretainer and remove the retainers, then
remove the trunk rear trim.
Installation
Removal
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Reverse lights
Taillights
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Page 288 of 340
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse orderof removal.
(5-Door/Sport Wagon)
1. Remove the cover.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
Reverse lights
Taillights
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
High-mount brake light
(Sedan)
1. Remove the high-mount brake lightcomponent.
2. Detach the electrical connector from the socket.
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it. 4. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
(5-Door)
1. Remove the cover.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.
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Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance