Page 60 of 312
WARNING: Adjusting the steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Moving it can very easily cause the driver
to abruptly turn to the left or right. This can lead to loss of
control or an accident. Never adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle is equipped with a variety of console features. These
include: 1. Cupholders
2. Utility compartment console lid has a CD holder, a business card
holder and two pen holders.
The utility compartment has a
removable bin with coin holder
slots, a sliding tray, a cell phone
holder and CD holders
3. Rear power point
4. Rear cupholders
5. Small storage trays
WARNING: Use only soft cups in the cupholders. Hard objects
can injure you in a collision.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
60
Page 69 of 312

CRUISE CONTROL/SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
With cruise control/speed control set, you can maintain a set speed
without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.WARNING: Using cruise control in the following conditions
could cause you to lose control of the vehicle:
• Heavy or unsteady traffic
• Slippery or winding roads
• Similar restrictions that require inconsistent speed
Don’t use cruise control in these situations.
Setting speed control
The controls for using your speed
control are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience. 1. Press the ON control and release it.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET + control and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. The indicator light
on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
• Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
• If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
69
Page 72 of 312
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)WARNING: Driving while distracted can result in loss of
vehicle control, accident and injury. Mazda strongly
recommends that drivers use extreme caution when using any
device that may take their focus off the road. The drivers
primary responsibility is the safe operation of their vehicle.
Only use steering wheel controls and other devices not
essential to the driving task when it is safe to do so.
These controls allow you to operate some audio control features.
Radio control features
Press MEDIA to select:
• AM, FM1, FM2, or CD
• LINE IN (Auxiliary input jack) (if
equipped)
In Radio mode:
• Press
to access the
next/previous preset station.
In CD mode:
• Press
to listen to the
next track on the disc.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
72
Page 81 of 312

WARNING: When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding
coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Do not remove the cooling system cap when the
engine and radiator are hot.
HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE. Displayed when the motor
electronics are overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine and let it cool. Refer to Engine coolant and
motor/electronics coolant in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED. Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
XXX MILES TO EMPTY FUEL LEVEL LOW. Displayed as an early
reminder of a low fuel condition.
LIFTGATE/GLASS AJAR. Displayed when the liftgate or liftgate glass
is not completely closed. Press RESET to reset display.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM. Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID. Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Brake fluid
reservoir in theMaintenance and Specifications chapter.
REGEN BRAKES DISABLED. Indicates the regenerative braking
system is disabled at this moment. Please see your authorized dealer if
this warning remains present over several days.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE. Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer to Inflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT. Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT. Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
81
Page 82 of 312

Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires,
Wheels and Loading chapter. If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer
XX% OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.
Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is 10% or less. When oil life
left is between 10% and 0%, the XX% OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON
message will be displayed. When oil life left reaches 0%, the OIL
CHANGE REQUIRED message will be displayed.
LIFTGATE
• To open the liftgate window,
unlock the liftgate (with the
power door locks or the remote
entry) and push the right side
control button under the license
plate lamp shield.
• To open the liftgate, unlock the
liftgate (with the power door
locks or the remote entry) and
push the middlecontrol button
under the license plate lamp
shield.
To lock the liftgate and the liftgate window, use the power door locks.
Do not open the liftgate or liftgate glass in a garage or other enclosed
area with a low ceiling. If the liftgate glass is raised and the liftgate is
also opened, both liftgate and glass could be damaged against a low
ceiling.
Do not leave the liftgate or liftgate glass open while driving. Doing so
could cause serious damage to the liftgate and its components as well as
allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
WARNING: Make sure that the liftgate door and/or window are
closed to prevent exhaust fumes from being drawn into the
vehicle. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide which can
injure your lungs and cause drowsiness and even death. This
will also prevent passengers and cargo from falling out. If you
must drive with the liftgate door or window open, keep the
vents open so outside air comes into the vehicle.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
82
Page 84 of 312
LUGGAGE RACK
Your vehicle is equipped with a roof
rack. The maximum load for the
roof rack is 100 lbs (44 kg), evenly
distributed on the cross-bars. If it is
not possible to evenly distribute the
load, position it in the center or as
far forward on the cross-bars as
possible.
Do not use the vehicle’s door
handles as tie down loops. Use
the tie-down loops on the
thumbwheels to secure load.
To adjust the cross-bar (if equipped) position:1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide the cross-bar to the desired location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the cross-bar.
To remove the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) from the roof rack
side rails: 1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
84
Page 85 of 312
2. Slide the cross-bar to the end ofthe rail.
3. Use a long, flat object to depress the tongue in the
endcaps on both sides of the
cross-bar.
4. Slide the cross-bar assembly off the end of the rail.
To reinstall the cross-bar assembly (if equipped) to the roof rack
side rails: 1. Ensure that both cross-bar assemblies are installed with the
F (front) arrow facing towards
the front of the vehicle.
2.
Use a long, flat object to depress
the tongue in the endcaps on
both sides of the cross-bar.
3. Slide the cross-bar assemblies over the end cap tongue and
into the side rails.
4. Tighten thumbwheel at both ends of the cross-bar.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
85
Page 121 of 312

WARNING: The driver should always hold onto only the rim of
the steering wheel. Never place your arm over the airbag
module or anywhere inside the rim as a deploying airbag can
result in serious arm fractures or other injuries.
Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the airbag:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
• Recline the seat slightly (one or two notches) from the upright
position.
WARNING: Do not put anything on or over the airbag module
including hands or feet. Placing objects on or over the airbag
inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the
airbag into your face and torso causing serious injury.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
Airbag Supplemental Restraint Systems or its fuses. See your
authorized Mazda dealership.
WARNING: Modifications to the front end of the vehicle,
including frame, bumper, front end body structure, tow hooks,
and snow plows may affect the performance of the airbag
sensors increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front
end of the vehicle.
WARNING: Additional equipment may affect the performance
of the airbag sensors increasing the risk of injury. Consult your
authorized Mazda dealership before installation of additional
equipment.
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
121