Page 233 of 372
Black plate (233,1)
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or
wood blocks of sufficient size to hold
the tire in place.
qRemoving a Flat Tire
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a
wheel cover, pry off the wheel cover
with the beveled end of the lug wrench.
NOTE
Force the end of the lug wrench firmly
between wheel and cover, or removal
will be difficult.
CAUTION
There is a valve-stem mark inside the
wheel cap. When installing the wheel
cap, align this mark with the tire's valve
stem.
Damage could occur during installation
if the wheel cover is not properly
aligned.
2. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn each, but
don't remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-7
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page233
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 234 of 372

Black plate (234,1)
3. Place the jack under the jacking
position closest to the tire being
changed.
Jacking position
WARNING
Incorrect Jacking Position:
Attempting to jack the vehicle in
positions other than those
recommended in this manual is
dangerous. The vehicle could slip off
the jack and seriously injure or even
kill someone. Use only the front and
rear jacking positions recommended
in this manual.
Improper Jack:
Using a jack that isn't designed for
your Mazda is dangerous. The vehicle
could slip off the jack and seriously
injure someone. Use only the jack
provided with your Mazda.
Placing Objects Under the Jack:
Jacking the vehicle with an object
under the jack is dangerous. The jack
could slip and someone could be
seriously injured by the jack or the
falling vehicle. Never place objects
under the jack.4. Insert the jack handle into the jack.
5. Turn the jack handle clockwise and
raise the vehicle high enough so that
the spare tire can be installed. Before
removing the lug nuts, make sure your
Mazda is firmly in position and that it
cannot slip or move.
6. Remove the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise; then remove the
wheel and center cap.
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page234
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 235 of 372

Black plate (235,1)
qLocking Lug Nutsí
If your vehicle has optional antitheft
wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will
lock the tires and you must use a special
key to unlock them. This key is attached
to the lug wrench and is stored with the
spare tire. Register them with the lock
manufacturer by filling out the card
provided in the glove box and mailing it
in the accompanying envelope. If you lose
this key, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer or use the lock manufacturer's
order form, which is with the registration
card.
Special key Antitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the key for the antitheft lug nut.
2. Place the key on top of the nut, and be
sure to hold the key square to it. If you
hold the key at an angle, you may
damage both key and nut. Don't use a
power impact wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
To install the nut
1. Place the key on top of the nut, and be
sure to hold the key square to it. If you
hold the key at an angle, you may
damage both key and nut. Don't use a
power impact wrench.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key,
apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.
qMounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING
Removing Dirt and Grime from
Wheels, Hubs and Hub Bolts:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident. Make sure the mounting
surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug
nuts are clean before changing or
replacing tires.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-9íSome models. Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page235
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 236 of 372
Black plate (236,1)
2. Mount the spare tire.
3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.
WARNING
Don't Apply Oil or Grease to Lug
Nuts, Bolts:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could
loosen while driving and cause the tire
to come off, resulting in an accident.
In addition, lug nuts and bolts could
be damaged if tightened more than
necessary. Do not apply oil or grease
to lug nuts and bolts and do not
tighten the lug nuts beyond the
recommended tightening torque.4. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise
and lower the vehicle. Use the lug
wrench to tighten the nuts in the order
shown.
If you're unsure of how tight the nuts
should be, have them inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 88―117 (9―11, 65―93)
7-10
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page236
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 237 of 372

Black plate (237,1)
WARNING
Loose Lug Nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug
nuts are dangerous. The wheel could
wobble or come off. This could result
in loss of vehicle control and cause a
serious accident. Always securely and
correctly tighten the lug nuts.
Metric Studs and Lug Nuts:
Because the wheel studs and lug nuts
on your Mazda have metric threads,
using a non-metric nut is dangerous.
On a metric stud, it would not secure
the wheel and would damage the stud,
which could cause the wheel to slip off
and cause an accident. Be sure to
reinstall the same nuts you removed or
replace them with metric nuts of the
same configuration.
5. Store the damaged tire, using the tire
hold-down bolt to hold it in place.
Tire clampTire hold-down bolt
6. Check the inflation pressure. Refer to
the specification charts on page 10-7.
7. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced
as soon as possible.
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Air Pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air
pressure is dangerous. Tires with
incorrect pressure could affect
handling and result in an accident.
Don't drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure. When you
check the regular tires' air pressure,
check the spare tire, too.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to
the temporary spare tire. The warning
light will flash continuously while the
temporary spare tire is being used (page
5-23).
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from
rattling, store them properly.
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
7-11
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page237
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 238 of 372

Black plate (238,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Cooling Fan and Engine
Inspection:
Inspecting the engine with the ignition
switch in the ON position is
dangerous. The cooling fan could turn
on unexpectedly even when the engine
isn't running. You could be seriously
injured by the fan. Turn the ignition
switch off and remove the key from the
ignition switch when you inspect the
engine.
Cooling System Cap:
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot
out under pressure and cause serious
injury. Don't remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Steam from Overheated Engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and call an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
5. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
6. When cool, check the coolant level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page238
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 239 of 372
Black plate (239,1)
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking:
Stop the engine and call an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious:
Carefully add coolant as required (page
8-21).
CAUTION
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-13
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page239
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Page 240 of 372
Black plate (240,1)
Starting a Flooded Engine
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. Depress the accelerator all the way and
hold it there.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold it there―for up to 10
seconds. If the engine starts, release the
key and accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
3. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator―for
up to 10 seconds.
7-14
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page240
Thursday, June 23 2005 2:55 PM
Form No.8U55-EA-05G