2006 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE tow

On 4WD vehicles, it isrequiredthat your vehicle be towed with a wheel
lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of powertrain configuration) can be flat towed (all
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
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WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a premium paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first. Refer toWashing the exteriorfor more
detailed information.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives; use a premium liquid wax.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will “gray” or stain the parts over time.
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Cleaning
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INTRODUCTION
Be extremely careful to prevent injury to yourself and others or damage
to your vehicle when using this manual for inspection and maintenance.
If you’re unsure about any procedure it describes, we strongly urge you
to have a reliable and qualified service shop perform the work, preferably
an authorized Mazda Dealer.
Factory-trained Mazda technicians and genuine Mazda parts are best for
your vehicle. Without this expertise and the parts that have been
designed and made especially for your Mazda, inadequate, incomplete,
and insufficient servicing may result in problems. This could lead to
vehicle damage or an accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service, consult an authorized Mazda Dealer.
The owner should retain evidence that proper maintenance has been
performed as prescribed.
Claims against the warranty resulting from lack of maintenance, as
opposed to defective materials or authorized Mazda workmanship, will
not be honored.
Any auto repair shop using parts equivalent to your Mazda’s original
equipment may perform maintenance.But we recommend that it
always be done by an authorized Mazda Dealer using genuine
Mazda parts.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Follow Schedule 1 if the vehicle is operated mainly where none of the
following conditions apply.
If any do apply, follow Schedule 2 (Canada and Puerto Rico residents
follow Schedule 2).
•Repeated short-distance driving
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Driving with an extended use of brakes
•Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used
•Driving on rough or muddy roads
•Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
•Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid
climates
•Towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier
NOTE:After the described period, continue to follow the described
maintenance at the recommended intervals.
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Maintenance Item
Maintenance Interval (Number of months or km (miles),
whichever comes first)
Months 6 1218243036424854606672
x 1000 Km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144
(x 1000 Miles) (7.5) (15) (22.5) (30) (37.5) (45) (52.5) (60) (67.5) (75) (82.5) (90)
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I
Disc brakesIIIIII
Drum brakes I I I
Tire (rotation), check wheel lug
nut torque*3Rotate every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)
Tire inflation and wear I I I I I I I I I I I I
Steering operation and linkages I I I
Power steering fluid level I I I I I I I I I I I I
Manual transaxle fluid R
Automatic transaxle fluid Replace every 240,000 km (150,000 miles)
Rear differential fluid
(4WD only)*2 Replace every 240,000 km (150,000 miles)
Transfer case fluid
(4WD only)Replace every 240,000 km (150,000 miles)
Front and rear suspension ball
jointsIII
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body I I I
Exhaust system heat shields I I I
All locks and hinges L L L L LLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I I I I I I I I I I
*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
long-term reliability. Refer toFuel filterin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for fuel filter replacement requirements.
*
2 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be changed.
*3 The wheel lug nuts must be retightened to the proper specifications at 500
miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation, at any wheel change, or at any
other time the wheel lug nuts have been loosened. Refer toWheel Lug Nut
Torque Specificationin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for the
proper lug nut torque specification.
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However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed
at the recommended time or miles (kilometers) period to ensure
long-term reliability. Refer toFuel filterin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for fuel filter replacement requirements.
*2 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions,
change the spark plugs every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving.
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation.
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid
climates.
*3 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be
changed.
*4 The wheel lug nuts must be retightened to the proper specifications
at 500 miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation, at any wheel change, or
at any other time the wheel lug nuts have been loosened. Refer toWheel
Lug Nut Torque Specificationin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
OWNER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle
inspections at the indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable
operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an authorized Mazda Dealer or
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
•Brake and clutch fluid level
•Engine coolant level
•Engine oil level
•Washer fluid level
At Least Monthly
•Tire inflation pressures
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
•Automatic transaxle fluid level
•Power steering fluid level
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Retightening lug nuts
•Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
•Refer toWheel Lug Nut Torque Specificationin theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
•We provideservice maintenance sectionwhich makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your authorized dealer can
provide necessary parts and service. Check your “Warranty Information”
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Genuine Mazda parts are designed and built
to provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING: A hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has been
running, parts of the engine compartment can become very hot.
You could be burned. Don’t inspect the coolant system or add
coolant when the engine is hot.
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other lit material away from the battery and
all fuel related parts.
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Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
1.
Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an
angle from the wiper arm. Push
the lock pin manually to release
the blade and pull the wiper blade
down toward the windshield to
remove it from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into
place until a click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once
per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved
by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and
wiper bladesin theCleaningchapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer toservice maintenance sectionfor the appropriate intervals for
checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
3.
Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
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Cleaner air
Mazda endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “check
engine” or the “service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
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