JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 108 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
NOTE:The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
WARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
TIRES
Tires are designed to give many thousands of miles of service, but they
must be maintained in order to get the maximum benefit from them.
Glossary of tire terminology
² Tire label: A label showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and the maximum weight the vehicle
can carry.
CIMS #599890
com_traction_a-b-c.j14 itdseq=137
CIMS #600046
com_temp_a-b-c.j14 itdseq=138
CIMS #1272072
com_tire-intro itdseq=139
CIMS #1272100
com_glossary-of-tire-terms itdseq=140
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 108OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:21JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
108
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 109 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
²Tire 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. Also referred
to as DOT code.
² Inflation pressure: A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
² 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.
² 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.
² kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
² PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
² 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).
² Recommended inflation pressure: The cold inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver's door.
² B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the
front door.
² Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
² Sidewall of the tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
² Tread area of the tire: Area of the perimeter of the tire that
contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
² 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.
CIMS #1444637
com_gen-tire-ins.mazda itdseq=141
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 109OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
109
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 110 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
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.
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
or (blowout(, 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 Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label which is on the
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.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure is the tire manufacturer's
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
CIMS #1302691
com_tire-inflate-mazda itdseq=142
art=ecomc021_b
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 11 0OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
110
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 111 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
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 the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire
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 Safety
Compliance Certification Label or the Tire Label.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also
change. A 10É F (6É 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
Safety Compliance Certification Label or the Tire Label.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, (i.e. driven more than 1
mile [1.6 km]), never ªbleedº 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 ªbleedº 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 operate at a higher inflation pressure than the
other tires. For T-type/mini-spare tires (see T-Type/Mini-Spare Tire
Information section for description): Store and maintain at 60psi (4.15
bars). For Full Size and Dissimilar spare tires (see Dissimilar Spare
Tire/Wheel Information section for description): Store and maintain at
the higher of the front and rear inflation pressure as shown on the Tire
Label.
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 111OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
111
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 117 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
²Rear 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.
INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL
Both U.S. and Canada Federal regulations require tire manufacturers to
place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of
the tire and also provides a U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number for
safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
CIMS # com_sidewall-info itdseq=153
art=f23mc122_a
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 11 7OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
117
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 118 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
Information on ªPº type tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a
tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index and speed
rating for your vehicle may be
different from this example.)1. P:Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that may be used for
service on cars, SUVs, minivans
and light trucks.
Note: If your tire size does not
begin with a letter this may mean it
is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association).
2. 215: 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. 65: Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire's ratio of height to
width.
4. R: Indicates a ªradialº type tire.
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.CIMS #1272097
com_pass-tire-information itdseq=154
art=f23mc119_a
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 11 8OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
118
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 120 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
Compliance Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver's door, for the correct tire pressure for your
vehicle.
12. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
² Treadwear: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1¤2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
² Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
² Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
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 the Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire 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.
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ 2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 120OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
120
JOBNAME: No Job Name PAGE: 121 SESS: 1 OUTPUT: Thu Sep 15 08:22:27 2005
/ford_pdm/ford/own2002/mbs/og
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for ªLTº type
tires
ªLTº type tires have some additional
information beyond those of ªPº
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.CIMS #1272098
com_lt-tire-information itdseq=155
art=f23mc120_b
REVIEW COPY ÐÐ
2006 B-Series (mbs), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),Market:USA(fus)
PAGE: 121OP:root EDIT SESSION: 1DATE: SEPT 15 2005 at 8:22JOB:@ibm2/ford_pdm/CLS_ford/GRP_own2002/JOB_mbs/DIV_og
Tires, Wheels and Loading
121