Black plate (134,1)
Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WARNING
Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious
accident. Use lower gears (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use
lower gears to reduce speed.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to
Overheating (page 7-16).
Parking
Always make sure the tires of the trailer and the tow vehicle are blocked while parked.
Apply the parking brake firmly and put the transaxle in P.
4-18
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G
Black plate (135,1)
Avoid parking on an incline, but if you must, follow these instructions:
1. Depress and hold down the brake pedal.
2. Have a helper put wheel blocks against the downhill side of all vehicle and trailer tires.
3. Then release the brake pedal slowly until the blocks bear the load.
lIf the grade is downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front of the front tires face
the curb.
lIf it is uphill, face the rear of the front tires against the curb.
4. Firmly apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle into P, and stop the engine.
To restart after parking on an incline:
1. With the transaxle in P, start the engine. (Be sure to depress and hold the brake pedal.)
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake (also the foot brake) and pull away from the wheel blocks.
Stop; apply the parking brake and shift into P.
4. Have a helper retrieve the wheel blocks.
Fuel consumption
Trailer towing causes higher fuel consumption.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer frequently, have your vehicle serviced as shown in Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
4-19
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G
Black plate (237,1)
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the temporary
spare or to the vehicle, observe the
following precautions:
lDon't exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
lAvoid 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).
lDon't use a tire chain on this tire
because it won't fit properly.
lDon't use your temporary spare on
any other vehicle; it has been
designed only for your Mazda.
lDo not tow a trailer while using this
tire.
lUse only one temporary spare tire on
your vehicle at the same time.
To remove the spare tire
1. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.2. For side-spoiler equipped vehicles,
remove the fasteners on both sides of
the spoiler cap by turning them
counterclockwise.
Pull the spoiler cap out.
NOTE
After installing the side spoiler cap,
make sure it is securely attached.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-5
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G
Black plate (259,1)
Scheduled Maintenance
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the following conditions
apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents follow Schedule 2).
lRepeated short-distance driving
lDriving in dusty conditions
lDriving with extended use of brakes
lDriving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
lDriving on rough or muddy roads
lExtended periods of idling or low-speed operation
lDriving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
lTowing a trailer
NOTE
After the prescribed period, continue to follow the described maintenance at the
recommended intervals.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-3
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G
Black plate (262,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000
miles5 1015202530354045505560
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Drum brakes I I
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Front suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 60 months
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L L L L L
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if equipped)
Cabin air filter (if equipped) Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 24 months
Chart symbols
I:Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
Remarks
*1 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*2 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark plugs every 96,000 km
(60,000 miles) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
d) Towing a trailer
8-6
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G
Black plate (336,1)
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-22
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-28
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-29
Third-row seat ................................... 2-20
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-24
Tires
Flat tire ......................................... 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-27
Replacement ............................... 8-28
Rotation ...................................... 8-27
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-6
Tire chains .................................... 4-9
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-15
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-23
Emergency towing ..................... 7-23
Recreational towing ................... 7-24
Trailer towing ............................. 4-12
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-17
TCS indicator light ..................... 5-18
TCS OFF indicator light ............ 5-18
TCS OFF switch ........................ 5-18
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-12
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-21
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-34
U
Under Seat Tray ................................ 6-55
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-45
V
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-24
ABS ............................................ 5-28
Air bag system ........................... 5-29
Brake system .............................. 5-26
Charging system ......................... 5-27
Check engine .............................. 5-27
Door-ajar .................................... 5-29
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-27
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-29
Immobilizer system .................... 5-30
Low fuel ..................................... 5-29
Seat belt ...................................... 5-29
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-18
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-29
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-18
Rear quarter windows ................ 3-21
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-36
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-36
Blades replacement .................... 8-21
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
11-6
Index
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Form No.8T50-EA-04G