2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE light

1 (First)
• Provides maximum engine braking.
• Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
• Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
WARNING: When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). Turn off
the ignition whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your
vehicle unattended while it is running. If you do not take these
precautions, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
Forced downshifts
• Allowed in D (Overdrive) or Drive.
• Depress the accelerator to the floor.
• Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
178

Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following charts for best fuel economy:
Upshifts during light to moderate accelerations and cruises (for best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1-2 10 mph (16 km/h)
2-3 20 mph (32 km/h)
3-4 32 mph (52 km/h)
4-5 37 mph (60 km/h)
Reverse
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift
into R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
Hold the clutch pedal down and move the gearshift lever into the neutral
position.
Note: The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving
it from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).
This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from accidentally
being shifted into R (Reverse) from 5 (Fifth).
If R (Reverse) is not fully engaged, press the clutch pedal down and
return the gearshift to the neutral position. Release the clutch pedal for
a moment, then press it down and shift to R (Reverse) again.
Parking your vehicle
1. Apply the brake and shift into the neutral position.
2. Fully apply the parking brake, then shift into 1 (First).
3. Turn the ignition off.
WARNING: Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may move
unexpectedly and injure someone. Use 1 (First) gear and set
the parking brake fully.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
180

If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
• If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high
as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions.
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
182

•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
NOTE:
• 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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts, halfshafts and tires. Excess mud on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that could damage drive
components.
NOTE:
If the transaxle Power Take Off unit or rear axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
184

Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should be
checked and changed, if necessary. The rear axle is filled with a lubricant
that does not normally require a lubricant change for the life of the
vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
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.”
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.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to
turnaround 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.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
185

•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 predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. 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
by 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.
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 (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
187

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp
Rating Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Not used (spare)
2 15A Brake On/Off switch
3 15A Not used (spare)
4 30A Not used (spare)
5 10A Brake Shift Interlock (BSI), SPDJB
6 20A Turn signals, Stop lamps
7 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
8 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
9 15A Interior lights
10 15A Backlighting
11 10A Four wheel drive
12 7.5A Power mirror switch
13 7.5A Canister vent
14 10A FCIM (radio buttons), Front display module
15 10A Climate control
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
191

CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
• do not brake heavily.
• gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
• hold the steering wheel firmly.
• slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a conventional spare tire that is
different in one or more of the following: type, brand, size, speed rating
and tread design. If this is the case, this dissimilar spare tire is still rated
for your vehicle loads (GAWR and GVWR). This temporary spare tire is
not equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensor.
Note: The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the TPMS system, all road wheels equipped with the tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat tire serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent
damage to the TPMS sensor, refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) in theTires, Wheels, and Loading chapter. Replace the spare
tire with a road tire as soon as possible. During repairing or replacing of
the flat tire, have the authorized dealer inspect the TPMS sensor for
damage.
WARNING: The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The
use of tire sealants may also damage your Tire Pressure
Monitoring System and should not be used.
WARNING: Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
in the Tire, Wheels and Loading chapter for important
information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes
damaged, it will no longer function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information WARNING: Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
196