2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE towing

Tires, Wheels and Loading 125
Tire information 127
Tire inflation 130
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 143
Vehicle loading 148
Trailer towing 154
Recreational towing 160
Driving 161
Starting 161
Brakes 166
Electronic stability control 168
Transmission operation 173
Roadside Emergencies 188
Hazard flasher switch 188
Fuel pump shut-off switch 189
Fuses and relays 189
Changing tires 196
Lug nut torque 206
Overheating 206
Jump starting 207
Wrecker towing 213
Customer Assistance 215
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 225
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 225
Cleaning 226
Table of Contents
2
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)

Example only:
Cargo Weight – includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) – is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note: For trailer towing information refer to Trailer towingfound in
this chapter or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) – is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) – is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door.
The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING: Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification
Label vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of
control and personal injury.
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XX RC: XXDSO:
WB BRK INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR XXXXX
XXX X XX X XX X XX XXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXX-XXXXXXX-XX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR
VEHICLE SAFETY AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS IN
EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
TYPE: XXX XXXXX
DATE:
XX/XX GVWR: XXXXXLB/ XXXXX KG
FRONT GAWR: XXXXL REAR GAWR: XXXXLB
AT XXX kPa/XX PSI COLD AT XXX kPa/XX PSI COLD
XXXX
KG WITH
XXXX/XXXXXXX TIRES
XXXX.XX RIMS XXXX
KG WITH
XXXX/XXXXXXX TIRES
XXXX.XX RIMS
FOR MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
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GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) – is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR.) Separate functional brakes should be used for
safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight – is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]). Consult your authorized
dealer (or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight – refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples: For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lb.
(782 to 1,304 kg)
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING: Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement
tires with a higher limit than the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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WARNING: Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal
injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit: 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.). In metric units (635-340 (5 x 68) =
295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
• Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be:
1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you
have enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends
and your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg -
(5 x 99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
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•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100 lb.(45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity to
transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each weigh
220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12 x 100)=
1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough cargo
capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the calculation
would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 540 =
-103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least 240 lb.
(104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then the load
calculation would be:
1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x 45 kg)= 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle
section in the Drivingchapter of this Owner’s Manual.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a
heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment while towing.
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Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
• Be sure to locate all the warnings supplied by the trailer rental or
sales company and study the unique requirements of each trailer you
intend to tow.
• Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
• Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer to Preparing to
tow in this chapter.
• Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer to Driving
while you tow in this chapter.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance” section of this manual.
• Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
• Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
to Vehicle loading in this chapter. Remember to figure in the tongue
load of your loaded vehicle when figuring the total weight.
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4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum GCWR - lb.(kg) Trailer Weight
Range - lb. (kg) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - ft
2
(m2)
2.3L w/manual transmission 4900 (2223) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission 4980 (2259) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission 7040 (3193) 3500 (1588) 30 (2.8)
Notes: For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer to Vehicle Loadingin this
chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
The Tribute is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Tribute vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
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