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•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
WARNING: If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do
not rapidly 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:
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h)
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 tires for damage. If a 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.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side, vibrate or shake when you’re driving,
the wheels may be out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a
Mazda dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a Mazda dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an
independent rear suspension require alignment of all four wheels.
The tire should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
NOTE:When it is time to replace front tires with new ones, this is an
ideal time to perform an alignment. New tires should be balanced at the
time they are installed.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive
(4WD)/All Wheel Drive (AWD)
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
Mazda dealership to check for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire
imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
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.
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While operating your vehicle
•Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell or exhaust
fumes in the vehicle.
•Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice any increased
steering effort or looseness in the steering wheel, or change in the
straight ahead position.
•Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or“pulls”to one side
when traveling on a smooth, level road.
•When stopping, listen and check for strange sounds, pulling to one
side, increased brake pedal travel or“hard to push”brake pedal.
•If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transmission occur,
check the transmission fluid level.
•Check automatic transmission Park function.
•Check parking brake.
At least monthly
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
•Check tires for wear and proper air pressure.
•Check engine oil level.
•Check coolant level in the coolant reservoir.
•Check washer fluid level.
At least twice a year (for example, every spring and fall)
•Check power steering fluid level.
•Check clutch fluid level (if equipped).
•Check and clean body and door drain holes.
•Check and lubricate all hinges, latches, and outside locks.
•Check and lubricate door rubber weather strips.
•Check parking brake for proper operation.
•Check lap/shoulder belts and seat latches for wear and function.
•Check air pressure in spare tire.
•Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper
blades with clean cloth dampened with washer fluid.
•Check safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, air bag, safety belt) for
operation.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................64, 66–67, 69
Safety defects, reporting ..........188
Safety restraints ..............64, 66–69
belt minder ...............................71
extension assembly ..................70
for adults .............................66–67
for children .........................88–89
safety belt maintenance ...........75
warning light and chime ..........71
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................100
Safety restraints - tether
anchors ........................................97
Safety seats for children ............93
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............64
Seats ............................................62
child safety seats ......................93
Servicing your vehicle ..............203
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................18
AM/FM stereo CD .....................20
AM/FM stereo tape/CD/MP3 ....23
Premium AM/FM stereo
CD6/MP3 ...................................27
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications .......246
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................244–245
Speed control ..............................52
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......144
Starting your
vehicle ........................141–142, 144jump starting ..........................172
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................47
Stereo
Single CD ..................................19
T
Tether anchors ............................97
Tilt steering wheel ......................47
Tires ...........................106–107, 112
alignment ................................123
care ..........................................121
changing ..........................112–113
checking the pressure ............109
inspecting and inflating .........109
label .........................................121
replacing ..................................111
rotating ....................................124
safety practices .......................122
sidewall information ...............117
snow tires and chains ............125
spare tire .................................112
terminology .............................107
tire grades ...............................107
treadwear ........................106, 121
Towing .......................................131
recreational towing .................139
trailer towing ..........................131
wrecker ....................................177
Traction-lok rear axle ...............149
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................240
Transmission
automatic operation ...............150
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....150
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................239
fluid, refill capacities ..............241
lubricant specifications ..244–245
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