Page 296 of 406
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CAUTION
If the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or disengage
from the bumper when tying down the
vehicle. Make sure that the tiedown
eyelet is securely tightened to the
bumper.
Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-19) and
“Tiedown Hooks”(page 7-20) and
carefully follow the instructions.
7-22
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
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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 10-6)
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.
qTire Inflation Pressure
WARNING
Incorrect Tire Inflation:
Overinflation or underinflation of tires
is dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in
a serious accident. Always inflate the
tires to the correct pressure (page
10-6).
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
í
does not alleviate the need to check the
tire condition every day, including
whether the tires all look inflated properly.
Inspect all tire pressure monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures
for the best ride, top handling, and
minimum tire wear.
When checking the tire pressures, use of a
digital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.
Except Canada (Tire pressure label)
8-28
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page324
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Page 325 of 406

Black plate (325,1)
Canada (Motor vehicle safety standard
label)
Refer to the specification charts (page
10-6).
NOTE
lAlways check tire pressure when
tires are cold.
lWarm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Don't
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure.
lUnderinflation can cause reduced
fuel economy, uneven and
accelerated tire wear, and poor
sealing of the tire bead, which will
deform the wheel and cause
separation of tire from rim.
lOverinflation can produce a harsh
ride, uneven and accelerated tire
wear, and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequently needs
inflating, have it inspected.
qTire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires if
irregular wear develops. According to the
scheduled maintenance charts.Refer to
Scheduled Maintenance on page 8-3.
During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressure
lImproper wheel alignment
lOut-of-balance wheel
lSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 10-6) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
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Page 326 of 406

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CAUTION
Limited-Slip Differential system;
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.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
When replacing/repairing the tires or
wheels or both, have the work done by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer, or the tire
pressure sensors may be damaged.
NOTE
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the sidewalls are
used, the system may not function
correctly even with a genuine wheel.
Refer to System Error Activation on
page 5-28.
lBe sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced.
Refer to Tires and Wheels on page
5-29.
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.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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
lA wrong-sized wheel may adversely
affect:
lTire fitlWheel and bearing lifelGround clearancelSnow-chain clearancelSpeedometer calibrationlHeadlight aimlBumper heightlTire Pressure Monitoring SystemlLimited-Slip Differential System
l(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
lWhen replacing/repairing the tires
or wheels or both, have the work
done by an Authorized Mazda
Dealer, or the tire pressure sensors
may be damaged.
lThe wheels equipped on your
Mazda are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure
sensors. Do not use non-genuine
wheels, otherwise it may not be
possible to install the tire pressure
sensors.
NOTE
Be sure to install the tire pressure
sensors whenever tires or wheels are
replaced. Refer to Tires and Wheels on
page 5-29.
When replacing a wheel, make sure the
new one is the same as the original factory
wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset.
Proper tire balancing provides the best
riding comfort and helps reduce tread
wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
vibration and uneven wear, such as
cupping and flat spots.
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8V28-EA-06B
Page 331 of 406

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NOTE
lTo replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the halogen bulb is accidentally
touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
lUse the protective cover and carton
of the replacement bulb to dispose of
the old bulb promptly out of the
reach of children.
Low-beam bulb
(Xenon fusion bulb)
You cannot replace the low beam bulbs by
yourself.
The bulbs must be replaced at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Halogen bulbs)
1. Make sure the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right Low-
beam bulb, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the right,
and turn off engine. If you are
changing the left Low-beam bulb, turn
the steering wheel to the left.3. Turn the screws and the center section
of the plastic retainers
counterclockwise and remove them,
then partially peel back the mudguard.
InstallationRemoval
4. Detach the electrical connector from
the bulb by pulling it to the rear.
5. Pull off the sealing cover.
6. Unhook the bulb retaining spring.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-35
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7. Swing the retaining spring out and
away to free the bulb.
Sealing
cover
8. Carefully remove the bulb from the
socket by pulling it straight back.
9. Replace the bulb.
10. Install the new bulb in the reverse
order of removal.
NOTE
lTo replace the bulb, contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lIf the halogen bulb is accidentally
touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
lUse the protective cover and carton
for the replacement bulb to dispose
of the old bulb promptly and out of
the reach of children.
Front side marker lights, Front turn
signal lights/Parking lights
1. Make sure the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing a bulb in the right
headlight unit, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the right,
and turn off engine. If you are
changing a bulb in the left headlight
unit, turn the steering wheel to the left.
3. Turn the screws and the center section
of the plastic retainers
counterclockwise and remove them,
then partially peel back the mudguard.
InstallationRemoval
4. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
8-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Front side marker lights
Front turn signal lights/Parking lights
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Fog lightsí
1. Make sure the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right fog light
bulb, start the engine, turn the steering
wheel all the way to the right, and turn
off engine. If you are changing the left
fog light bulb, turn the steering wheel
to the left.3. Turn the screws and the center section
of the plastic retainers
counterclockwise and remove them,
then partially peel back the mudguard.
InstallationRemoval
4. Disconnect the electrical connector
from the bulb by pressing the tab on
the connector with your finger and
pulling the connector downward.
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly
counterclockwise and remove it.
Carefully remove the bulb from its
socket in the reflector by gently pulling
it straight backward out of the socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order
of removal.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-37íSome models. CX-7_8V28-EA-06B_Edition2 Page333
Monday, March 13 2006 5:7 PM
Form No.8V28-EA-06B