Black plate (298,1)
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
lKeep it securely mounted.
lKeep the top clean and dry.
lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-8)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
8-34
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page298
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (301,1)
qTemporary Spare Tire
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it's properly inflated
and stored.
NOTE
The temporary spare tire condition
gradually deteriorates even if it has not
been used.
The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction. It is
lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire and should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.
Maintain its pressure at 420 kPa (4.2
kgf/cm
2or bar, 60 psi).
CAUTION
lDon't use your temporary spare tire
rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage both
tire and rim.
lThe temporary spare tire has a tread
life of less than 5,000 km (3,000
miles). The tread life may be shorter
depending on driving conditions.
lThe temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator appears,
replace the tire with the same type of
temporary spare (page 8-36).
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It is
recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate
the aging process. You should replace
the spare tire when you replace the
other road tires due to the aging of the
spare tire. Regarding the manufacturing
week and year is indicated with 4 digit.
Refer to The tire labeling on page 9-22.
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
Using a Wrong-Sized Wheel:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident. Always use
wheels of the correct size on your
vehicle.
CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
lTire fit
lWheel and bearing life
lGround clearance
lSpeedometer calibration
lHeadlight aim
lBumper height
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-37
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page301
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (325,1)
9Customer Information and Reporting
Safety Defects
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.
Customer Assistance ............................... 9-2
Customer Assistance (U.S.A.) ............ 9-2
Customer Assistance (Canada) ........... 9-4
Customer Assistance (Puerto Rico) .... 9-7
Customer Assistance (Mexico) ........... 9-8
Mazda Importer/Distributors ............... 9-10
Importer/Distributor .......................... 9-10
Distributor in Each Area ................... 9-10
Warranty ................................................ 9-12
Warranties for Your Mazda ............... 9-12
Outside the United States .................. 9-13
Outside Canada ................................. 9-14
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country (Except United States and
Canada) ............................................. 9-15
Add-On Non-Genuine Parts and
Accessories ....................................... 9-16
Cell Phones ............................................. 9-17
Cell Phones Warning ......................... 9-17
Type Approval of Equipment ............... 9-18
Type Approval of Equipment ............ 9-18
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) ................................................ 9-20
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
(UTQGS) .......................................... 9-20Tire Information (U.S.A.) ..................... 9-22
Tire Labeling ..................................... 9-22
Location of the Tire Label
(Placard) ............................................ 9-28
Tire Maintenance .............................. 9-31
Vehicle Loading ................................ 9-34
Steps for Determining the Correct Load
Limit: ................................................ 9-41
Reporting Safety Defects ....................... 9-42
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S.A.) .... 9-42
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada) ... 9-43
Service Publications .............................. 9-44
Service Publications .......................... 9-44
9-1
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page325
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (349,1)
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear:The tread wear 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.
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.
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.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels.
Make sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other
tires on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
lEXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-
MATCH TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa)
TO SEAT BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT
TIRES.
lTIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-25
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page349
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (356,1)
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial tires that have an asymmetrical tread pattern or
studs only from front to rear, not from side to side. Tire performance will be weakened if
rotated from side to side.
(With limited-slip differential)
Don't use the following:
lTires not of the designated size
lTires of different sizes or types at the same time
lTires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the rotation of the left and right wheels will be
different and will thus apply a constant load on the limited-slip differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Worn Tires:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous. Reduced braking, steering, and traction could
result in an accident. Always use tires that are in good condition.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will appear as a solid band across the tread. Replace
the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace it before the band is across the entire tread.
9-32
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page356
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (376,1)
Type B Type A
qTires
NOTE
The tires have been optimally matched with the chassis of your vehicle.
When replacing tires, Mazda recommends that you replace tires of the same type
originally fitted to your vehicle. For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Check the tire pressure label for tire size and inflation pressure.
Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure on page 8-35.
Standard tire
Tire sizeInflation pressure
Front Rear
P205/60R16 91V
220 kPa
(2.2 kgf/cm
2, 32 psi or lb/po2)220 kPa
(2.2 kgf/cm2, 32 psi or lb/po2)
P215/50R17 93V
215/45R18 93W240 kPa
(2.4 kgf/cm
2, 35 psi or lb/po2)240 kPa
(2.4 kgf/cm2, 35 psi or lb/po2)
Temporary spare tire
Tire size Inflation pressure
T115/70D16 420 kPa (60 psi)
qFuses
Refer to the fuse rating on page 8-49.
10-8
Specifications
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page376
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K
Black plate (381,1)
O
Odometer and Trip Meter .................. 5-25
Outside Mirrors ................................. 3-40
Overhead Console ............................. 6-56
Overhead Lights ................................ 6-50
Overheating ....................................... 7-15
Overloading ...................................... 4-11
P
Paint Damage .................................... 8-54
Parking Brake ..................................... 5-5
Parking in an Emergency .................... 7-2
Power Door Locks ............................ 3-10
Power Steering .................................. 5-18
Fluid ........................................... 8-23
Power Windows ................................ 3-23
Push-Starting ..................................... 7-20
R
Rear Door Child Safety Locks .......... 3-11
Rear Seat ............................................. 2-9
Rear Window Defroster .................... 5-45
Rear Window Washer ....................... 5-44
Rear Window Wiper .......................... 5-44
Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-41
Recreational Towing ......................... 7-22
Registering Your Vehicle in A Foreign
Country ............................................. 9-15
Rocking the Vehicle ............................ 4-9
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................. 9-42
S
Seat Belt System
3-point type
(Except center-rear position) ...... 2-19
Automatic locking ...................... 2-18
Belt minder ................................. 2-27
Center-rear position .................... 2-23
Emergency locking .................... 2-18
Extender ..................................... 2-26
Pregnant women ........................ 2-18
Pretensioner and load limiting .... 2-21
Seat belt precautions .................. 2-16
Warning light/beep ..................... 2-27
Seats
Front seat
(Electrically operated seats) ......... 2-5
Front seat
(Manually operated seats) ............ 2-2
Rear seat ....................................... 2-9
Security System
Immobilizer system .................... 3-35
Theft-deterrent system ............... 3-38
Service Publications .......................... 9-44
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ................ 7-3
Specifications .................................... 10-4
Speedometer ...................................... 5-25
SRS Air Bags
How the Air Bags Work ............. 2-53
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions ................................. 2-46
Starting the Engine .............................. 5-3
Steering Wheel .................................. 3-40
Horn ........................................... 5-46
Storage Box ...................................... 6-57
Index
11-5
Mazda6_8W89-EA-06K_Edition1 Page381
Tuesday, November 14 2006 1:25 PM
Form No.8W89-EA-06K