Page 273 of 288
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 2.3L I4 engine 3.0L DOHC V6 engine
Cubic inches 140 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Spark plug gap 0.049–0.053 inch (1.25–1.35mm) 0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression ratio 9.7:1 10.0:1
Engine drivebelt routing
• 2.3L I4 Engine with A/C—Without A/C similar
• 3.0L V6 Engine
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
273
Page 274 of 288

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Compliance Certification Label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the structure (B-Pillar)
by the trailing edge of the driver’s
door or the edge of the driver’s
door.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
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
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
274
Page 275 of 288

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information: 1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) /
Restraint System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label . The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
Five-speed manual 3
Four-speed automatic 4
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
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
275
Page 276 of 288

CELL PHONES
Use of cell phones and other devices by driver: WARNING: Use of any electrical devices such as cell phones,
computers, portable radios, vehicle navigation or other devices
by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. Dialing a
number on a cell phone while driving also ties-up the driver’s
hands. Use of these devices will cause the driver to be
distracted and could lead to a serious accident. If a passenger is
unable to use the device, pull off the right-of-way to a safe area
before use. If use of a cell phone is necessary despite this
warning, use a hands-free system to at least allow the hands
free to drive the vehicle. Never use a cell phone or other
electrical device while the vehicle is moving and, instead,
concentrate on the full-time job of driving.
In addition, the gasoline distributors are warning against using
cell phones during refueling procedures, due to their increased
concern about static electricity fires in the self-service pump
environment.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Accessories
276
Page 277 of 288

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................166
Accessory delay ..........................48
Air cleaner filter ...............269, 271
Air conditioning manual heating and
air conditioning system ............29
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ..........97, 106, 109 and child safety seats ..............99
description ................97, 106, 109
disposal ....................................113
driver airbag ..............99, 107, 111
indicator light .........106, 109, 112
operation ...................99, 107, 111
passenger airbag .......99, 107, 111
side airbag ...............................106
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................181
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................250
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................166–167
Anti-theft system ........................68
Audio system (see Radio) .........19
Automatic transaxle fluid, adding ............................267
fluid, checking ........................267
Automatic transmission ............173 driving an automatic
overdrive .................................175
fluid, refill capacities ..............271
fluid, specification ..................271
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................25
Auxiliary power point .................46 Axle
lubricant specifications ..........271
refill capacities ........................271
B
Battery .......................................248 acid, treating emergencies .....248
jumping a disabled battery ....207
maintenance-free ....................248
servicing ..................................248
Belt-Minder ...............................92
Booster seats .............................114
Brakes ........................................166 anti-lock ...........................166–167
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............167
fluid, checking and adding ....267
fluid, refill capacities ..............271
fluid, specifications .................271
lubricant specifications ..........271
parking ....................................167
shift interlock ..........................173
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................36
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....271
Cargo area shade ........................55
Cargo management system ........56
Cell phone warning ...................276
Child safety restraints ..............114 child seat belts .......................114
Child safety seats ......................117 attaching with tether
straps .......................................121
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
277
Page 278 of 288

Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................114
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............227
instrument panel ....................229
interior .....................................230
Mazda car care products .......231
plastic parts ............................228
washing ....................................226
waxing .....................................226
wheels ......................................227
wiper blades ............................229
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............29
Clutch fluid ..........................................267
operation while driving ..........179
recommended shift speeds ....180
Console ........................................44 overhead ....................................44
Controls power seat .................................74
steering column ........................52
Coolant checking and adding ..............250
refill capacities ................254, 271
specifications ..........................271
Cruise control .............................49
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................49
Customer
Assistance ..................215–216, 219
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................33 Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................267
engine oil .................................244
Driving under special
conditions ..................178, 182, 185 sand .........................................184
snow and ice ...........................186
through water .................184, 187
E
Electronic stability control ......168
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................207
Emergency Flashers .................188
Emission control system ..........264
Engine ........................................273 cleaning ...................................227
coolant .....................................250
fail-safe cooling .......................255
idle speed control ...................248
lubrication specifications .......271
refill capacities ........................271
service points ..................240–241
starting after a collision .........189
Engine block heater .................165
Engine oil ..................................244 checking and adding ..............244
dipstick ....................................244
filter, specifications ................247
recommendations ...................247
refill capacities ........................271
specifications ..........................271
Exhaust fumes ..........................164
F
Fail safe cooling ........................255
Fluid capacities .........................271
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
278
Page 279 of 288

Foglamps .....................................32
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles driving off road .......................181
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................173
Fuel ............................................256 calculating fuel economy .......261
cap ...........................................259
capacity ...................................271
choosing the right fuel ...........259
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................264
detergent in fuel .....................260
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................256, 259, 261
filter, specifications ................256
fuel pump shut-off switch .....189
improving fuel economy ........261
octane rating ...................260, 273
quality ......................................260
running out of fuel .................261
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................256
Fuses ..................................189–190
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............259
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................261
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................188
Head restraints .....................72, 76
Headlamps ...................................32 aiming ........................................34
bulb specifications ....................37
daytime running lights .............33 flash to pass ..............................33
high beam .................................32
replacing bulbs .........................38
turning on and off ....................32
Heating manual heating and air
conditioning system .................29
Hood ..........................................239
I
Ignition ...............................161, 273
Illuminated visor mirror .............44
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................117
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................266
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................229
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................33
location of components ............12
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......207
K
Keys .......................................60, 69 positions of the ignition .........161
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................37
cargo lamps ...............................33
daytime running light ...............33
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
279
Page 280 of 288

fog lamps ...................................32
headlamps .................................32
headlamps, flash to pass ..........33
instrument panel, dimming .....33
interior lamps .....................35–37
replacing bulbs .........................38
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................35
Liftgate ..................................54, 64
Lights, warning and indicator ....12 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........167
Load limits .................................148
Loading instructions .................154
Locks childproof ..................................62
doors ..........................................62
Lubricant specifications ...........271
Lug nuts ....................................206
Luggage rack ...............................57
Lumbar support, seats ...............74
M
Manual transaxle fluid, checking and adding ....269
Manual transmission .................179 fluid capacities ........................271
lubricant specifications ..........271
reverse .....................................180
Mirrors .........................................48 fold away ...................................49
heated ........................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......48
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ........................256
O
Octane rating ............................260 Oil (see Engine oil) ..................244
Overdrive ...................................175
Overheating ...............................206
P
Parking brake ............................167
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................83
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................193
Power door locks ........................62
Power mirrors .............................48
Power point .................................46
Power Seats .................................74
Power steering ..........................172
fluid, refill capacity ................271
fluid, specifications .................271
Power Windows ...........................47
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................173
R
Radio ............................................19
Relays ........................................189
Remote entry system ...........63–64 illuminated entry ................66–67
locking/unlocking doors ...........64
opening the trunk .....................64
panic alarm ...............................65
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................66
replacing the batteries .............65
Roof rack .....................................57
S
Safety defects, reporting ..........225
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
280