Black plate (108,1)
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
ABS:
The ABS cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another
vehicle too closely), driving on ice and
snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of
water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident. So don't rely on
ABS as a substitute for safe driving.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
lIf your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don't hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don't pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the front
wheels.
lFor more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the front wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page108
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (109,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
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.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-21.
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 8-27).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (110,1)
qSnow Tires
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 frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
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 5-25).
qTire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
lChains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
lChains may affect handling.
lDon't go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
lDrive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
lAvoid locked-wheel braking.
lDon't use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire.
lDon't use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.
Install the chains on the front tires.
Don't use chains on the rear tires.
Use only SAE Class“S”chains, and make
sure they fit.
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page110
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (139,1)
NOTE
lAfter adjusting the tire air pressures,
it may require some time for the
TPMS warning light to go out. If the
TPMS warning light remains
illuminated, drive the vehicle at a
speed of at least 25 km/h (16 mph)
for 10 minutes, and then verify that it
goes out.
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture. Replace the
punctured tire with the temporary spare
tire (page 7-6).
NOTE
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.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qSystem Error Activation
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
lWhen there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
lWhen a large metallic object (e.g. a
large electric household appliance or a
desk-top computer) is placed on the
right side of the rear seat, which may
block radio signals from the tire
pressure sensor to the receiver unit.
lWhen using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit.
lA digital device such as a personal
computer.
lA current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter.
lWhen excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels.
lWhen the tire pressure sensor batteries
are exhausted.
lWhen using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed.
lWhen using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls.
lWhen using tire chains.
qTires and Wheels
CAUTION
When inspecting or adjusting the tire air
pressures, do not apply excessive force
to the stem part of the wheel unit. The
stem part could be damaged.
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure sensor's
unique ID signal code whenever tires or
wheels are changed, such as changing to
and from winter tires.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-25
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (372,1)
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-31
Temporary Spare Tire ....................... 8-40
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-26
Tiedown
Hook .......................................... 7-20
Tire Information ................................ 9-21
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-22
System error activation .............. 5-25
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-23
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-25
Tires
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-37
Replacement ............................... 8-39
Rotation ...................................... 8-38
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-7
Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-19
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-19
Emergency towing ..................... 7-19
Recreational towing ................... 7-22
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-29
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-12
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-49
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-42
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-33
ABS ............................................ 5-35
Air bag system ........................... 5-38
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-40
Brake system .............................. 5-35
Charging system ......................... 5-36
Check engine .............................. 5-37
Door-ajar .................................... 5-39
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-37
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-38
Low fuel ..................................... 5-38
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-40
Seat belt ...................................... 5-38
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-40
Warranty ............................................ 9-12
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-27
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-40
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-16
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-52
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-50
Blades replacement .................... 8-30
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
11-6
Index
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G