Glossary of tire terminology
•Tire label:A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of
each tire providing information about the tire brand and
manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacture.
•Inflation pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing
the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tire’s
load carrying capability.
•Extra load:A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase
the tire’s load carrying capability.
•kPa:Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
•PSI:Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
•Cold inflation pressure:The tire pressure when the vehicle has
been stationary and out of direct sunlight for an hour or more and
prior to the vehicle being driven for 1 mile (1.6 km).
•Recommended inflation pressure:The cold inflation pressure found
on the tire label located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s
door.
•B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
•Bead area of the tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire:Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim:The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.
INSPECTING AND INFLATING YOUR TIRES
Safe operation of your vehicle requires that your tires are properly
inflated. Remember that a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure
without appearing flat.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
123
Every day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires and adjust if
required.
At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge (including spare, if equipped).
Inflate all tires to the inflation
pressure recommended by Mazda.
Inflating your tires
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare
(if equipped), at least monthly and before long trips. You are strongly
urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate. Mazda recommends the use of a digital or dial
type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick type tire pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
NOTE:If you are driving the vehicle at its maximum weight load, make
sure the tire inflation pressure is correct for the weight load on the tires.
WARNING: Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire
failures and may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation
orblowout, with unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury. Under-inflation increases sidewall
flexing and rolling resistance, resulting in heat buildup and
internal damage to the tire. It also may result in unnecessary
tire stress, irregular wear, loss of vehicle control and accidents.
A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to
be flat!
Always inflate your tires to the Mazda recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Mazda recommended tire inflation pressure is found on
the tire label or certification label which is B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. Failure to follow the tire pressure recommendations can
cause uneven treadwear patterns and adversely affect the way your
vehicle handles.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
124
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressureis the tire manufactures’
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally higher than the
manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure which can be found
on either the tire label or certification label which is located on the
structure by the trailing edge of the driver’s door or the edge of the driver’s
door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the tire label or certification label.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also
change. A 10°F(6°C) temperature drop causes a corresponding drop of
1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures frequently
and adjust them to the proper pressure which can be found on the tire
label or certification label.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, (i.e. driven more than 1
mile [1.6 km]), never“bleed”or reduce air pressure. The tires are hot
from driving and it is normal for pressures to increase above
recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended cold
inflation pressure could be significantly under-inflated.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving
even a mile.
Note:If you have to drive a distance to get air for your tire(s), check
and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure
when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air
pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never“bleed”or reduce air
pressure when tires are hot.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire
gauge onto the valve and measure the pressure.
3. Add enough air to reach the recommended air pressure
Note:If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in
the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
4. Replace the valve cap.
5. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
Note:Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other
tires.
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7.
Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts or bulges.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
125
5.15:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
6.95:Indicates the tire’s load index. It is an index that relates to how
much weight a tire can carry. You may find this information in your
Owner’s Guide. If not, contact a local tire dealer.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.
7.H:Indicates the tire’s speed rating. The speed rating denotes the
speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods
of time under a standard condition of load and inflation pressure.
The tires on your vehicle may operate at different conditions for load
and inflation pressure. These speed ratings may need to be adjusted
for the difference in conditions. The ratings range from 81 mph (130
km/h) to 186 mph (299 km/h). These ratings are listed in the
following chart.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.
Letter rating Speed rating - mph (km/h)
M 81 mph (130 km/h)
N 87 mph (140 km/h)
Q 99 mph (159 km/h)
R 106 mph (171 km/h)
S 112 mph (180 km/h)
T 118 mph (190 km/h)
U 124 mph (200 km/h)
H 130 mph (210 km/h)
V 149 mph (240 km/h)
W 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y 186 mph (299 km/h)
Note:For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph (240
km/h), tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For those with
a maximum speed capability over 186 mph (299 km/h), tire
manufacturers always use the letters ZR.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
137
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on either the tire label or certification
label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for“LT”type
tires
“LT”type tires have some additional
information beyond those of“P”
type tires; these differences are
described below:
1.LT:Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that is intended for
service on light trucks.
2.Load Range/Load Inflation
Limits:Indicates the tire’s
load-carrying capabilities and its
inflation limits.
3.Maximum Load Dual lb. (kg)
at psi (kPa) cold:Indicates
the maximum load and tire
pressure when the tire is used as a dual; defined as four tires on the
rear axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).
4.Maximum Load Single lb. (kg) at psi (kPa) cold:Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single;
defined as two tires (total) on the rear axle.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
139
Information on“T”type tires
“T”type tires have some additional
information beyond those of“P”
type tires; these differences are
described below:
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire
size.
Note:The temporary tire size for
your vehicle may be different from
this example.
1.T:Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA), that is
intended for temporary service
on cars, SUVs, minivans and
light trucks.
2.145:Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
3.80:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire’s ratio of height to
width. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall.
4.D:Indicates a“diagonal”type tire.
R:Indicates a“radial”type tire.
5.16:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
Location of the tire label
You will find a tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and
other important information located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. Refer to the payload description and graphic in theVehicle
loading—with and without a trailersection.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
140
•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.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
NOTE:Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specification as those originally installed.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
144
Maintenance ItemMaintenance Interval (Number of months or km (miles),
whichever comes first)
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
x 1000 Km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
(x 1000 Miles) (5) (10) (15) (20) (25) (30) (35) (40) (45) (50) (55) (60)
Engine coolant (yellow) Replace at first 160,000 km (100,000 miles) or 60
months; after that, every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
or 36 months
Engine coolant level I I IIIIIIIIII
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I IIIIIIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level I I IIIIIIIIII
Disc brakes I I I I
Drum brakes I I
Tire (rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wear I I IIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level I I IIIIIIIIII
Manual transaxle oil Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles)
Automatic transaxle fluid Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles)
Rear differential fluid
(4WD only)*3 Replace every 160,000 km (100,000 miles)
Transfer case fluid
(4WD only)*3 Replace every 48,000 km (30,000 miles)
Front and rear suspension ball joints I I
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body I I I I
Exhaust system heat shields I I
All locks and hinges L L LLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I IIIIIIIIII
*1 According to state 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 miles (kilometers) period to ensure
REVIEW COPY
2005 Mazda Tribute(j14), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
220