Page 8 of 288
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle. Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Manual
Protecting the
EnvironmentFasten Seat Belt
Airbag - FrontAirbag - Side
Passenger Airbag OffChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemMaster Lighting Switch
Hazard Warning FlasherFog Lamps-Front
Fuse CompartmentFuel Pump Reset
Windshield Wash/WipeWindshield
Defrost/Demist
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Introduction
8
Page 10 of 288
Multi-function lever (pg. 42) Instrument cluster
(pg. 12)
Hazard flasher control (pg. 188)
Headlamp control
(pg. 32)
Parking brake release (pg. 167) Speed controls*
(pg. 49) Hood release
(pg. 239) Steering wheel controls*
(pg. 52)
* if equipped
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
10
Page 13 of 288

WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components,
possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap: Momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the RUN position to
ensure your bulb is working. When
the light stays on, check the fuel
filler cap. Continuing to operate the
vehicle with the check fuel cap light on, can activate the
warning
light. When the fuel filler cap is properly re-installed, the light(s) will
turn off after a period of normal driving. This period will vary depending
on driving conditions.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer to Fuel filler capin theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the RUN
position when the engine is not running, or in a position between RUN
and START, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned
to the RUN position. If the brake system warning light does not
illuminate at this time, seek service immediately from an authorized
Mazda dealer. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low
brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately
by an authorized Mazda dealer.
WARNING: Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle. Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can
cause brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
P!
BRAKE
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
13
Page 14 of 288

Anti-lock brake system (ABS):If
the ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by an
authorized Mazda dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the
brake system warning light also is illuminated.
WARNING: If the light remains on, continues to flash or fails
to illuminate, have the system serviced immediately by an
authorized Mazda dealer. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled but normal braking is still effective
unless the brake warning light also remains illuminated with
the parking brake released.
Airbag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to RUN, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by an authorized Mazda dealer. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Seat belt: Reminds you to fasten
your seat belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your seat belt. Refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder chime feature.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure: Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer to Engine oilin
the Maintenance and
Specifications chapter.
ABS
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
14
Page 16 of 288

Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLock Passive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Throttle control/Powertrain:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
has been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Door ajar: Illuminates when the
ignition is in the RUN position and
any door is open.
Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake ON chime: Sounds when the parking brake is left ON
and the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is
off, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
16
Page 33 of 288

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
Page 95 of 288

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
Page 162 of 288
WARNING: If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,
have your authorized dealer inspect your vehicle immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer.
Before starting the vehicle: 1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their seat belts. For more information on seat belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraints chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an
automatic transmission:
• Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
162