Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nation’s
wilderness areas. Mazda Motor
Corporation joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
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Driving
198
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip,
spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Do not descend a hill in N (Neutral)
and avoid sudden hard braking as
you could lose control.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
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Driving
199
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping; drive slower than usual. Since your vehicle is equipped with
a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the brake steadily.
Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
4WD vehicles should be driven with traction devices as referred to in
Using snow tires and traction devices in theTires, Wheels and
Loading chapter.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide durable load carrying capability and predictable
performance whether loaded or empty. For this reason, Mazda Motor
Corporation strongly recommends that you do not make modifications
such as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Mazda Motor Corporation recommends that caution be used with any
vehicle equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or
pickup box cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
200
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
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Driving
201
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Check fluid levels with the ignition
in the RUN position. Fluid levels
between the “MIN” and “MAX” lines
are within the normal operating
range; there is no need to add fluid.
If the fluid levels are outside of the
normal operating range the
performance of your brake system could be compromised; seek service
from your authorized dealer immediately.
Brake pad replacement information
The Regenerative Braking System checks the integrity of the brake
system at times when the vehicle is parked. This is done by developing
brake pressure for short periods of time. In order to change the brake
pads, it is necessary to enter the Pad Service Mode. This will prevent
brake pressure from being applied.
To enter the Pad Service Mode, perform the following with the vehicle
stationary:1. Place the vehicle in Park and turn ignition to the ON position.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Turn the ignition OFF, then ON three times and then release the brake pedal. The total time elapsed for the three ignition cycles and
brake release must be less than 3 seconds.
The brake warning lamp will:
• flash as stored hydraulic pressure is released.
• remain illuminated once the pressure is completely released.
• flash if the brake is applied.
To exit the Pad Service Mode: 1. Apply the brake pedal and turn the ignition OFF then ON. This will cause brake pressure to be developed within the brake system. Once
brake pressure is developed, the brake warning light will turn off.
2. The Pad Service Mode will also be exited if the gear shift lever is moved from the (P) Park position, the vehicle is moved (wheels
rotate) or the ignition is turned OFF.
MAX
MIN
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•Wheel Alignment
• Brakes
And when your vehicle needs replacement parts, insist that only parts
meeting Mazda Motor Corporation’s specifications are used. Genuine
Mazda branded parts meet these specifications. You can find them at
your Mazda Dealership. Look for the following brand logos to ensure the
parts installed on your vehicle meet Mazda Motor Corporation
Specifications.
Genuine Mazda Replacement Parts
Mazda dealerships stock Mazda branded replacement parts. These parts
meet or exceed Mazda Motor Corporation’s specifications, and we stand
behind them. Maintenance parts installed at your Mazda dealership carry
a nationwide, 12 months, 12,000 mile parts and labor limited warranty.
Your dealer can give you details.
Value Shopping for Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Needs
Your dealership recognizes the competitive landscape of maintenance and
light repair automotive services. With factory-trained technicians, and
one-stop service from routine maintenance like oil changes and tire
rotations to repairs like brake service, check out the value your Mazda
dealers can offer.
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Service Maintenance Section
290
A
Accessory delay ..........................65
Air cleaner filter ...............278–280
Air conditioningautomatic temperature
control system ..........................42
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................120, 129, 131 and child safety seats ............122
description ..............120, 129, 131
disposal ....................................135
driver airbag ............122, 130, 133
indicator light .........128, 131, 134
operation .................122, 130, 133
passenger airbag .....122, 130, 133
side airbag ...............................129
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................194
Ambulance packages ..................15
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................187–188
Anti-theft system ........................93
Audio system (see Radio) .........27
Automatic transaxle fluid, adding ............................276
fluid, checking ........................276
Automatic transmission driving an automatic
overdrive .................................193
fluid, refill capacities ..............281
fluid, specification ..................281
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....35
Auxiliary power point .................61
Axle lubricant specifications ..........281
refill capacities ........................281
B
Battery .......................................256 acid, treating emergencies .....256
jumping a disabled
battery .............................222, 227
maintenance-free ....................256
servicing ..................................256
Belt-Minder .............................115
Booster seats .............................136
Brakes ........................................187 anti-lock ...........................187–188
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................188
fluid, checking and adding ....275
fluid, refill capacities ..............281
fluid, specifications .................281
lubricant specifications ..........281
parking ....................................189
shift interlock ..........................191
Bulbs ............................................53
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....281
Cargo area shade ........................83
Cell phone warning ...................286
Child safety restraints ..............136 child seat belts .......................136
Child safety seats ......................139 attaching with tether straps ..143
in front seat ............................140
in rear seat ..............................140
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................136
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............243
instrument panel ....................245
interior .....................................245
Mazda car care products .......246
plastic parts ............................244
washing ....................................242
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Index
303
fuel pump/high voltage
shut-off switches ....................202
improving fuel economy ........269
octane rating ...................268, 283
quality ......................................268
running out of fuel .................268
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................264
Fuses ..................................204–205
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............266
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................269
Gauges .........................................25
H
Hazard flashers .........................202
Head restraints ...................97, 101
Headlamps ...................................47 aiming ........................................50
bulb specifications ....................53
daytime running lights .............49
flash to pass ..............................49
high beam .................................49
replacing bulbs .........................54
turning on and off ....................47
Heating heating and air conditioning
system .......................................42
Hood ..........................................249
I
Ignition ...............................182, 283
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................139 Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................274
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................245
cluster ........................................20
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................50
location of components ............20
J
Jump-starting your
vehicle ................................222, 227
K
Keys .......................................86, 94 positions of the ignition .........182
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................53
daytime running light ...............49
fog lamps ...................................48
headlamps .................................47
headlamps, flash to pass ..........49
instrument panel, dimming .....50
interior lamps .....................52–54
replacing bulbs .........................54
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................51
Liftgate ..................................82, 89
Lights, warning and indicator ....20 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........188
Load limits .................................170
Loading instructions .................176
Locks childproof ..................................87
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
305