2005 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE tow

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)–is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the driver’s door or B-Pillar. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its GAWR.
WARNING: Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle handling
or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage,
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
dealership.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)–is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
148

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)–is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the driver’s
door or B-Pillar. The GVW must
never exceed the GVWR.
WARNING: Exceeding the Safety Certification Label vehicle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle handling
or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage,
serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)–is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)–is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer–including all cargo and
passengers–that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
149

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight–is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult your dealership (or
theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your dealership) for
more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight–refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875
lb. (782 to 1,304 kg)
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING: Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the originals because they may lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal
injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement“The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX pounds”on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the“XXX”amount equals
1,400 lb. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400
–750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.).
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
150

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
The following gives you a few more examples on how to calculate the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1400 pounds of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. You and your friends
average 220 pounds each and the golf bags weigh approximately 30
pounds each. Is there enough load capacity to carry you, 4 of your
friends and all the golf bags? The calculation would be: 1400–(5 x
220)–(5 x 30) = 1400–1100–150 = 150 pounds; yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport 4 of your friends and
golf bags.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 pounds of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100
pound bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity to transport
the cement to your home? If you and your friend each weighed 220
pounds, the calculation would be: 1400–(2 x 220)–(12 x 100) =
1400–440–1200 =–40 pounds; no, you do not have enough cargo
capacity to carry that much weight. You will need to reduce the load
weight by at least 240 pounds. If you remove 3-100 pound cement
bags, then the load calculation would be:
1400–(2 x 220)–(9 x 100) = 1400–440–900 = 60 pounds; now you
have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Certification label
found on the driver’s door.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
151

Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle
section in this chapter.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a
heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for
trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
•Be sure to locate all the warnings supplied by the trailer rental or
sales company and study the unique requirements of each trailer you
intend to tow.
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
152

•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance”section of this manual.
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 500
miles (800 km).
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Certification label. For
load specification terms found on the label, refer toVehicle loadingin
this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded
vehicle when figuring the total weight.
4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Trailer Weight
Range - lb.
(kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
2.3L w/manual
transmission4860 (2204) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission4940 (2241) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission7020 (3184) 3500 (1588) 30 (2.8)
Notes:For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle Loadingin this
chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
153

4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
.The Tribute is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Tribute vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
4x4
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Trailer Weight
Range - lb.
(kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
2.3L w/manual
transmission5040 (2286) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission5100 (2313) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission7180 (3257) 3500 (1588) 30 (2.8)
Notes:For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer toVehicle Loadingin this
chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
.The Tribute is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Tribute vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
154

Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in:
•engine damage
•transmission damage
•structural damage
•loss of control
•personal injury
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized Mazda dealer.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric, manual, automatic or surge-type brakes, if compatible with the
vehicle, are safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING: Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized Mazda dealer for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
155