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
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2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from the engine compartment.
• If steam is coming from the engine compartment: do not go near
the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine, then turn the ignition switch
to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling
fans will start to cool the engine.
• If neither coolant nor steam is escaping: open the hood and idle
the engine until it cools. If this does not lower the temperature, stop
the engine and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it is low, look for leaks in the radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator and
water pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if coolant is still leaking, stop the
engine and call an authorized dealer.
WARNING: When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding
coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Do not remove the cooling system cap when the
engine and radiator are hot.
See Adding coolant in theMaintenance and Specifications section. If
you find no problems, the engine is cool and no leaks are obvious,
carefully add coolant as required.
Note: If the engine continues to overheat or frequently overheats, have
the cooling system inspected. The engine could be seriously damaged
unless repairs are made.
JUMP STARTING
WARNING: The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING: Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission
vehicle. Automatic transmissions do not have push-start
capability. Attempting to push-start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission may cause transmission damage.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
207
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. 1. Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle making sure the two vehicles do nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight
and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
Note: In the illustrations, lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
208
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) cable to an exposed metal part of the disabled vehicle’s engine, away from the battery
and the fuel injection system. NOTE: Do notuse fuel lines, engine
rocker covers or the intake manifold as groundingpoints.
WARNING: Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
5. Ensure that the cables are clear of fan blades, belts, moving parts of both engines, or any fuel delivery system parts.
Jump starting 1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
+–+–
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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3. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the booster vehicle’s battery.
4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the disabled vehicle’s battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables
removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can
relearn its idle conditions.
+–+–
+–+–
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
212
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
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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
279
Safety restraints ..............81, 85–89 Belt-Minder .............................92
extension assembly ..................90
for adults .............................86–88
for children .....................113–114
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................83
seat belt maintenance ..............91
warning light and chime ....91–92
Safety seats for children ..........117
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................274
Scheduled Maintenance ...........232
Seat Belt Maintenance ...............91
Seat belts (see
Safety restraints) ............81, 85–89
Seats ............................................72 child safety seats ....................117
heated ........................................76
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................68
Servicing your vehicle ..............238
Side-curtain airbags system
(if equipped) .............107, 109, 111
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications .......273
Special notice ambulance conversions ..............7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................271
Speed control ..............................49
Starting your
vehicle ........................161–162, 164 jump starting ..........................207
Steering wheel controls ......................................52
tilting .........................................43 T
Tilt steering wheel ......................43
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....143
Tires ...................................127–129 alignment ................................136
care ..........................................132
changing ..........................199, 201
checking the pressure ............132
inflating ...................................130
label .........................................142
replacing ..................................133
rotating ....................................136
safety practices .......................135
sidewall information ...............138
snow tires and chains ............148
spare tire .........................196, 199
terminology .............................129
tire grades ...............................128
treadwear ........................128, 132
Towing .......................................154 recreational towing .................160
trailer towing ..........................154
wrecker ....................................213
Transaxle fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................269
Transmission automatic operation ...............173
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....173
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................267
fluid, refill capacities ..............271
lubricant specifications ..........271
manual operation ....................179
Trunk ...........................................64
Turn signal ..................................35
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
281