Page 25 of 288

Auxiliary input jack
Your vehicle is equipped with an
Auxiliary Input Jack (AIJ). The
Auxiliary Input Jack provides a way
to connect your portable music
player to the in-vehicle audio
system. This allows the audio from a
portable music player to be played
through the vehicle speakers with
high fidelity. To achieve optimal
performance, please observe the
following instructions when
attaching your portable music
device to the audio system.
Required equipment: 1. Any portable music player designed to be used with headphones
2. An audio extension cable with stereo male 1/8 in. (3.5 mm) connectors at each end
To play your portable music player using the auxiliary input jack: 1. Begin with the vehicle parked and the radio turned off.
2. Ensure that the battery in your portable music player is new or fully charged and that the device is turned off.
3. Attach one end of the audio extension cable to the headphone output of your player and the other end of the audio extension cable
to the AIJ in your vehicle.
4. Turn the radio on, using either a tuned FM station or a CD loaded into the system. Adjust the volume to a comfortable listening level.
5. Turn the portable music player on and adjust the volume to 1/2 the volume.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Entertainment Systems
25
Page 26 of 288

6. Press AUX on the vehicle radio repeatedly until LINE IN appears in the display.
You should hear audio from your portable music player although it
may be low.
7. Adjust the sound on your portable music player until it reaches the level of the FM station or CD by switching back and forth between
the AUX and FM or CD controls.
Troubleshooting: 1. Do not connect the audio input jack to a line level output. Line level outputs are intended for connection to a home stereo and are not
compatible with the AIJ. The AIJ will only work correctly with
devices that have a headphone output with a volume control.
2. Do not set the portable music player’s volume level higher than is necessary to match the volume of the CD or FM radio in your audio
system as this will cause distortion and will reduce sound quality.
Many portable music players have different output levels, so not all
players should be set at the same levels. Some players will sound
best at full volume and others will need to be set at a lower volume.
3. If the music sounds distorted at lower listening levels, turn the portable music player volume down. If the problems persists, replace
or recharge the batteries in the portable music player.
4. The portable music player must be controlled in the same way manner when it is used with headphones as the AIJ does not provide
control (play, pause, etc.) over the attached portable music player.
5. For safety reasons, connecting or adjusting the settings on your portable music player should not be attempted while the vehicle is
moving. Also, the portable music player should be stored in a secure
location, such as the center console or the glove box, when the
vehicle is in motion. The audio extension cable must be long enough
to allow the portable music player to be safely stored while the
vehicle is in motion.
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
Radio frequencies:
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM: 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM: 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Entertainment Systems
26
Page 27 of 288

Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
• Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
• Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
• Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CD/CD player care
Do:
• Handle discs by their edges only.
(Never touch the playing
surface).
• Inspect discs before playing.
• Clean only with an approved CD
cleaner.
• Wipe discs from the center out.
Don’t:
• Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
• Clean using a circular motion.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 4.75 in (12 cm)
audio compact discs only. Due to technical incompatibility, certain
recordable and re-recordable compact discs may not function
correctly when used in Mazda CD players.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Entertainment Systems
27
Page 28 of 288
Do not use any irregular shaped
CDs or discs with a scratch
protection film attached.
CDs with homemade paper
(adhesive) labels should not be
inserted into the CD player as
the label may peel and cause the
CD to become jammed. It is
recommended that homemade
CDs be identified with
permanent felt tip marker rather
than adhesive labels. Ballpoint pens may damage CDs. Please
contact your authorized dealer for further information.
Audio system warranty and service
Refer to the Warranty Information Booklet for audio system warranty
information. If service is necessary, see your authorized Mazda
dealership.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Entertainment Systems
28
Page 45 of 288
The tray and inside bin can be
removed to open up space to fit a
laptop computer, MP3 players, CDs
or handbags. To remove, open the
console lid and pull the bin straight
up and out from the console
housing.
The sliding tray and inside bin can
be hooked on the side or rear of the
console for extra storage.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
45