Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Rear Window
Defrost/Demist
Power Windows
Power Window LockoutPersonal Alarm System
Feature
Engine OilEngine Coolant
Engine Coolant
TemperatureDo Not Open When Hot
BatteryAvoid Smoking, Flames,
or Sparks
Battery AcidExplosive Gas
Fan WarningPower Steering Fluid
Maintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX MIN
Emission System
Engine Air FilterSpeed Control
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was accurate at the time of printing.
Mazda may change the contents without notice.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Introduction
9
Maintenance Item Maintenance Interval (Number of months or km (miles),
whichever comes first)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72
x 1000 Miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60 67.6 75 82.5 90
(x 1000 Km) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)
(108) (120) (132) (144)
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I
Disc brakes IIIIII
Drum brakes I I I
Tire (rotation),
check wheel lug nut torque*3 Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Tire inflation and wear IIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I I
Power steering fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
Manual transaxle fluid Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Automatic transaxle fluid Replace every 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
Rear differential fluid
(4WD only) *2 Replace every 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
Transfer case fluid
(4WD only) Replace every 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
Front and rear suspension ball
joints III
Driveshaft dust boots I I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body I I I
Exhaust system heat shields I I I
All locks and hinges L L L L L L L L L L L L
Washer fluid level IIIIIIIIIIII
*1 According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these
items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all
maintenance services be performed at the recommended time or miles (kilometers)
period to ensure long-term reliability. Refer to Fuel filterin theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter for fuel filter replacement requirements.
*2 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be changed.
*3 The wheel lug nuts must be retightened to the proper specifications at 500 miles
(800 km) of new vehicle operation, at any wheel change, or at any other time the
wheel lug nuts have been loosened. Refer to Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specificationin
the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Maintenance Item Maintenance Interval (Number of months or km (miles),
whichever comes first)
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
x 1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
(x 1000 Km) (8) (16)
(24)(32) (40) (48) (56) (64) (72) (80) (88) (96)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Function of all lights I I I IIIIIIIII
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid level I I I IIIIIIIII
Disc brakes I I I I
Drum brakes I I
Tire (rotation),
check wheel lug nut torque *4 Rotate every 5,000 miles (8,000 km)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid level I I I IIIIIIIII
Manual transaxle oil Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Automatic transaxle fluid Replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Rear differential
fluid (4WD only) *3 Replace every 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Transfer case fluid
(4WD only) *3 Replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Front and rear suspension ball
joints II
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body I I I I
Exhaust system heat shields I I
All locks and hinges L L L LLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid level I I I IIIIIIIII
*1 According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these
items will not void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all
maintenance services be performed at the recommended time or miles (kilometers)
period to ensure long-term reliability. Refer to Fuel filterin theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter for fuel filter replacement requirements.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Changing rear window wiper blade
The rear wiper arm is designed without a service position. This reduces
the risk of damage to the blade in an automatic car wash.
To replace the wiper blade:1. Grab the wiper arm just below the blade attachment and pull it
as far away from the glass as
possible. Do not use excessive
force because it can break the
wiper arm at the heel. Hold it
there until the next step.
2. Grab the wiper blade with your other hand and use your fingers
to push the wiper arm tip
through the wiper blade center
to separate the blade from the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm and press it into
place until a click is heard.
If you find this procedure too
difficult, please see your dealer.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to scheduled maintenance information for the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual
transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
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•3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec engine
• If required, add engine oil to the engine. Refer to Adding engine oil
in this chapter.
• Do not overfill the engine with oil. Oil levels above the MAX
mark or upper hole may cause engine damage. If the engine is
overfilled, some oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized
dealer.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil 1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to Checking the engine
oil in this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine
oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the MAX or FULL mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it is seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed in scheduled maintenance. The coolant concentration
should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which equates to a
freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration testing is possible
with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the Rotunda Battery and
Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant should be maintained
at the “FULL COLD” level or within the “COLD FILL RANGE” in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in the Adding engine coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
• freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
• boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
• protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
• an accurate temperature readout from the engine coolant
gauge.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
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Habits
• Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
• Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Slow down gradually.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses
15% less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
• You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
• Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Maintenance product
specifications and capacities in this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in scheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
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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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
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