Black plate (93,1)
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-21).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.
qSnow Tires
WARNING
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 5-27).
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver's door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page93
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (121,1)
NOTE
lWhen DSC is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS (part of the DSC system)
will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine
power and freeing the vehicle may
be difficult.
When this happens, turn off the TCS/
DSC.
lIf the TCS/DSC is off when the
engine is turned off, it automatically
activates when the ignition switch is
turned on.
lLeaving the TCS/DSC on will
provide the best stability. When the
TCS/DSC is off, the TCS/DSC does
not activate but the brake LSD
function remains.
lIf the DSC OFF switch is pressed
and held for a second or more, the
TCS/DSC system may become
inoperative due to the system
detecting switch trouble. If the TCS/
DSC system becomes inoperative,
the TCS/DSC and the DSC OFF
indicator lights illuminate
simultaneously. In this case, turn off
the engine and restart it to restore the
TCS/DSC.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
í
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25íSome models. RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page121
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
