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
2
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
WARNING: To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any
part of your body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your vehicle is on the jack. The jack
is only meant for changing the tire. 4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench.
5. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against
the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been
lowered.
6. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
7. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown. Refer to Wheel lug nut
torque specifications later in
this chapter for the proper lug
nut torque specification.
Stowing the jack and tools
• Make sure the jack is fully
lowered.
• Reclip the tools onto the jack
making sure that the tools are
fully contained by the clips as
shown.
• Reinstall the jack in the pocket
with the left side first, then snap
the right side down.
• Ensure that the hold-strap
contains the jack and tools before snapping the buckle.
• Ensure that the jack and tools are oriented as illustrated.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
Note: Failure to follow spare tire stowage instructions may result in
failure of cable or loss of spare tire.
1
4
3
2
5
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
204
7. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire pressure (every six months), or at any time that the spare tire is
disturbed through service of other components.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque* lb.ft. N •m
M12 x 1.5 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Mazda recommended replacement fasteners.
WARNING: When a wheel is installed, always remove any
corrosion, dirt or foreign materials present on the mounting
surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub, brake
drum or brake disc that contacts the wheel. Ensure that any
fasteners that attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they
do not interfere with the mounting surfaces of the wheel.
Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen
and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion,
resulting in loss of control.
OVERHEATING
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating and you experience
power loss, you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine is
probably too hot.
If this happens: 1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Shift the automatic transmission into P (Park) or the manual transmission into the neutral position, and apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
WARNING: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The
escaping steam could seriously burn you. Open the hood ONLY
after steam is no longer escaping from the engine.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
206
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.
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
234
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.
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
236
*2 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the spark
plugs every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving.
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation.
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates.
*3 If this component has been submerged in water, the oil should be changed.
*4 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.
OWNER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The owner or a qualified service technician should make these vehicle
inspections at the indicated intervals to ensure safe and dependable
operation.
Bring any problem to the attention of an authorized Mazda Dealer or
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
When Refueling
• Brake and clutch fluid level
• Engine coolant level
• Engine oil level
• Washer fluid level
At Least Monthly
• Tire inflation pressures
At Least Twice a Year (For Example, Every Spring and Fall)
• Automatic transaxle fluid level
• Power steering fluid level
Retightening lug nuts
• Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
• Refer to Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specification in theTires, Wheels
and Loading chapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
2008 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
237