2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE manual transmission

Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
• the ignition must be in the 3 (RUN) position.
• the headlamp control must be in the OFF, parking lamps or autolamp
position.
• with automatic transmission, the transmission is not in P (Park),
• with manual transmission, the parking brake must be released.
WARNING: Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally
may not provide adequate lighting during these conditions.
Failure to activate your headlamps under these conditions may
result in a collision.
INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
Rotate to full down position (past
detent) to prevent interior lamps
from illuminating when the doors
are opened.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Lights
33

WARNING: Always wear the seat belt. Do not be tempted to sit
on top of the belt to fool police or to defeat the warning
system. The seat belt and seat belt warning system are there to
protect your life.
One time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles
the seat belt for that seating position, the Belt-Minder is disabled for
the current ignition cycle. The Belt-Minder feature will enable during
the same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for
approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time
disable.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minder feature
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder are
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Step s1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder features can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
• The gearshift is in N (Neutral) (manual transmission)
• The ignition switch is in the OFF position
• The driver and front passenger seat belts are unbuckled
WARNING: While the design allows you to deactivate your
Belt-Minder , this system is designed to improve your chances
of being safely belted and surviving an accident. We recommend
you leave the Belt-Minder system activated for yourself and
others who may use the vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do
not deactivate/activate the Belt-Minder feature while driving
the vehicle.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
95

4x2
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
Engine Maximum GCWR - lb.(kg) Trailer Weight
Range - lb. (kg) Maximum
frontal area of trailer - ft
2
(m2)
2.3L w/manual transmission 4900 (2223) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
2.3L
w/automatic
transmission 4980 (2259) 1500 (680) 24 (2.2)
3.0L
w/automatic
transmission 7040 (3193) 3500 (1588) 30 (2.8)
Notes: For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft.
(300 meters) elevation. For definitions of terms and instructions on
calculating your vehicle’s load, refer to Vehicle Loadingin this
chapter. Maximum trailer weights shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle and the loaded trailer must not exceed the
GCWR.
The Tribute is capable of pulling the maximum trailer weight(s) as
specified above. Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. The Tribute vehicle electrical system is not
equipped to accommodate electric trailer brakes.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
156

Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
• Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability
and causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been
submerged in water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water. Water entering these areas, while connected, could
short-circuit the system.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of “recreational towing” is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
If your vehicle is automatic transaxle equipped, with a 4x2 (front-wheel
drive only) configured powertrain, “recreational towing” is permitted by
trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on a dolly. This protects the
transmission’s internal mechanical components from potential lack of
lubrication damage.
If your vehicle is automatic transaxle equipped and 4WD (all-wheel
drive), “recreational towing” is permitted only if the vehicle is trailered
with all four (4) wheels off the ground. Otherwise, no “recreational
towing” is permitted.
If your vehicle is manual transaxle equipped and 2WD or 4WD, shifting
the transaxle into neutral permits “flat-towing” (all wheels on the
ground) for pulling behind a motorhome. Your vehicle, with well
designed towing equipment, may be towed up to a speed of 113 km/h
(70 mph) but you should always obey local speed limits.
For other towing requirements, refer to Wrecker towingin theRoadside
Emergencies chapter.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
160

•Make sure the gearshift is in
P (Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
• Make sure the parking brake is
set.
• Push the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to 3 (ON) without turning the key to 4 (START).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. See Warning lights and
chimes in theInstrument Cluster chapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
163

WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
NOTE: The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Pull the release lever to release the
brake.
Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system provides stability
enhancement features such as Roll Stability Control (RSC), Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control (TCS) for certain driving
situations. The system includes an on/off button, and a “sliding car” icon
in the instrument cluster.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
ESC system performs a system self-check. During ESC system operation
you may experience the following:
• A rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving
off
• A slight deceleration of the vehicle
• The ESC system indicator light will flash when the system is activated.
• If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
The manual transaxle has a starter interlock that prevents cranking the
engine unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
To start the vehicle:1. Make sure the parking brake is fully set.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the gearshift lever in the neutral position.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press the brake pedal and move the gearshift lever to the desired gear; 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
5. Release the parking brake, then slowly release the clutch pedal while slowly pressing on the accelerator.
During each shift, the clutch pedal must be fully depressed to the floor.
Make sure the floor mat is properly positioned so it doesn’t interfere with
the full extension of the clutch pedal.
Failure to fully depress the clutch pedal to the floor may cause
increased shift efforts, prematurely wear transaxle components
or damage the transaxle.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use the
clutch pedal to hold your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will reduce the life of the clutch.
1 35
24 R
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
179

Stopping and securing the vehicle 1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake and activate
hazard flashers.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or
R (Reverse) (manual
transmission) and turn engine
off.
Removing the jack and tools
The jack and tools are located under
the carpeted load floor.
Pull back the carpet away from the
liftgate, and remove the hardboard
cover. If your vehicle is equipped
with a cargo management system,
the jack and tools are in the forward
compartment under a lid.
Unbuckle the strap and remove the
jack and tools by pulling the right
side up first. Remove the tools from
the jack in order to remove the
spare tire from under the vehicle.
Remove the lug wrench from the
jack in order to remove the spare
tire from under the vehicle.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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