Page 217 of 256

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
217
Page 239 of 256

Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road
• Do 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.
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
239
Page 253 of 256

Remote entry system ...........55–56arming 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 .....................20 AM/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
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
253
Page 254 of 256

Transfer casefluid checking .........................226
Transmission automatic operation ...............114
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....114
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................225
fluid, refill capacities ..............240
lubricant specifications ..243–244
manual operation ....................117
Turn signal ..................................36
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................245
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................247
Vehicle loading ..........................124 camper bodies ........................136 Ventilating your vehicle ...........110
W
Warning chimes ...........................16
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid
..............................193
Water, Driving through .............123
Windows power .........................................45
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................43
checking and adding fluid .....193
checking and cleaning ..............43
replacing wiper blades .............44
Wrecker towing .........................162
2004 Mazda B Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Index
254