Black plate (330,1)
CAUTION
ØA wrong-sized wheel may
adversely affect:
ØTire fit
ØWheel and bearing life
ØGround clearance
ØSnow-chain clearance
ØSpeedometer calibration
ØHeadlight aim
ØBumper height
ØTire Pressure Monitoring
System
ØLimited-Slip Differential System
Ø (With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
ØWhen 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.
ØThe 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 5-31.
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.
8-38
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (333,1)
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. 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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-41
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (334,1)
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 rightheadlight 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.
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 lightbulb, 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
8-42
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (346,1)
qCavity Protection
Cavities are treated for protection at the
factory, but additional protective treatment
after the vehicle has been put into use will
extend the life of the body.
We recommend that you consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer concerning this
additional precaution.
qBright-Metal Maintenance
lUse tar remover to remove road tar and
insects. Never do this with a knife or
similar tool.
lTo prevent corrosion on bright-metal
surfaces, apply wax or chrome
preservative and rub it to a high luster.
lDuring cold weather or in coastal areas,
cover bright-metal parts with a coating
of wax or preservative heavier than
usual. It would also help to coat them
with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or
some other protective compound.
CAUTION
Don't use steel wool, abrasive
cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chrome-plated or anodized
aluminum parts. This may result in
damage to the protective coating and
cause discoloration or paint
deterioration.
qUnderbody Maintenance
Road chemicals and salt used for ice and
snow removal and solvents used for dust
control may collect on the underbody. If
not removed, they will speed up rusting
and deterioration of such underbody parts
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust
system, even though these parts may be
coated with anti-corrosive material.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold
water at the end of each winter. Try also
to do this every month.
Pay special attention to these areas
because they easily hide mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to wet
down the road grime without removing
it.
The lower edges of doors, rocker panels,
and frame members have drain holes that
should not be clogged. Water trapped
there will cause rusting.
WARNING
Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly
and applying the brakes lightly until
brake performance is normal: Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected.
8-54
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (347,1)
qUndercoating
This special coating is applied to the
critical parts of the underside to protect
vehicles from damage caused by
chemicals or stones. This coating is liable
to be damaged with time. Check this
coating periodically.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer are well
informed on how repairs should be made.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qAluminum Wheel Maintenance
A protective coating is provided over the
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed
to protect this coating.
NOTE
lDon't use a wire brush or any abrasive
cleaner, polishing compound, or solvent on
aluminum wheels. They may damage the
coating.
lOnly use a mild soap or neutral detergent
and always use a sponge or soft cloth to
clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or cold
water. Also, be sure to clean the wheels
after driving on dusty or salted roads. This
helps prevent corrosion.
lAvoid washing your vehicle in an automatic
car wash that uses high-speed or hard
brushes.
lIf your aluminum wheels lose luster, wax
the wheels.
Interior Care
qDashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume
and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They'll damage and discolor it.
If these solutions get on the dashboard,
wipe them off immediately.
CAUTION
Do not use glazing agents.
Glazing agents contain ingredients
which may cause discoloration,
wrinkling, cracks and peeling.
qCleaning the Upholstery and
Interior Trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl with a leather-and-vinyl
cleaner.
Leatherí
Real leather isn't uniform and may have
scars, scratches, and wrinkles. Clean it
with a leather cleaner or mild soap.
Wipe it with a dampsoft cloth; then dry
and buff it with a drysoft cloth.
Fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean it with a mild soap solution good
for upholstery and carpets. Remove fresh
spots immediately with a fabric spot
cleaner.
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
8-55íSome models.
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (348,1)
To keep the fabric looking clean and
fresh, take care of it. Otherwise its color
will be affected, it can be stained easily,
and its fire-resistance may be reduced.
CAUTION
Use only recommended cleaners and
procedures. Others may affect
appearance and fire-resistance.
Piano black panelí
The following parts are fitted with panels
that have been treated with a special
coating that resists scratching.
Steering wheel (partial)
When the panel needs to be cleaned, use a
soft cloth to wipe off dirt from the surface.
NOTE
Scratches or nicks on the panels resulting from
the use of a hard brush or cloth may not be
repairable.
qCleaning the Lap/Shoulder Belt
Webbing
Clean the webbing with a mild soap
solution recommended for upholstery or
carpets. Follow instructions. Don't bleach
or dye the webbing; this may weaken it.
After cleaning the belts, thoroughly dry
the belt webbing and make sure there is
no remaining moisture before retracting
them.
WARNING
Have an Authorized Mazda Dealer
replace damaged seat belts
immediately:
Using damaged seat belts is
dangerous. In a collision, damaged
belts cannot provide adequate
protection.
qCleaning the Window Interiors
If the windows become covered with an
oily, greasy, or waxy film, clean them
with glass cleaner. Follow the directions
on the container.
CAUTION
Don't scrape or scratch the inside of
the rear window. You may damage
the rear window defroster grid.
8-56
Maintenance and Care
íSome models.
Appearance Care
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (369,1)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
qTread 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-a-half 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 because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
qTraction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These 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.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
qTemperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent 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 temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle 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.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E
Black plate (372,1)
11. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
12. Max. permissible inflation pressure
13. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
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).
215
“215 ”is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“ 65 ”is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R indicates “Radial ply construction ”.
15
“15 ”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95 ”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
9-24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (except Canada)
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Form No.8X59-EA-07E