2008 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE traction control

Traction Control:Illuminates
when the Traction Control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to the Drivingchapter for
more information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains ON at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
to Inspecting and Inflating Your Tires in theTires, Wheels and
Loading chapter. When the ignition is first turned to RUN, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn ON or begins to flash, have the system inspected by your
authorized dealer. For more information on this system, refer to
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System in theTires,
Wheels and Loading chapter.
Low fuel: Illuminates when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer to Fuel gaugein this
chapter).
Cruise control/Speed control:
Illuminates when the cruise
control/speed control is activated.
Turns off when the cruise
control/speed control system is
deactivated, refer to the Driver
Controls chapter.
Overdrive off (automatic
transmission): Illuminates when
the overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off.
Refer to the Drivingchapter for transmission function and operation. If
the light flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately,
or damage to the transmission could occur.
O/D
OFF
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance. WARNING: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law. WARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
128

8.U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with
the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code
designating where it was manufactured, the next two are the tire
size code and the last four numbers represent the week and year the
tire was built. For example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of
1997. After 2000 the numbers go to four digits. For example, 2501
means the 25th week of 2001. The numbers in between are
identification codes used for traceability. This information is used to
contact customers if a tire defect requires a recall.
9. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or
AT: All Terrain, or
AS: All Season.
10. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number
of plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire
tread and sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon,
polyester, and others.
11. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety
Compliance Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door, for the correct tire pressure for your
vehicle.
12. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
• Treadwear: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
12) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
• Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
• Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
140

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
168

Traction Control
Traction Control helps your vehicle maintain traction, when driving on
slippery and/or hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel
spin. Excessive wheel spin is controlled by momentarily reducing engine
power and/or applying the anti-lock brakes. Traction Control is a driver
aid that helps your vehicle.
If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the ESC system off by pressing the ESC button momentarily. This will
allow your tires to “dig” for traction.
If the ESC system is activated excessively in a short period of time, the
brake portion of the system will disable to allow the brakes to cool down.
In this situation, Traction Control will use only engine power reduction to
help control the wheels from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled
down, the system will again function normally. Anti-lock braking, RSC
and DSC are not affected by this condition and will function normally
during the cool-down period.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when driving in deep sand,
switching off the ESC system may be beneficial so the wheels are
allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose engine power while driving
in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off the ESC stability
enhancement feature will restore full engine power and will enhance
momentum through the obstacle.
During Traction Control events the “sliding car” icon in the instrument
cluster will flash momentarily.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may enhance your vehicle’s
stability during adverse maneuvers.
The ESC system helps the driver maintain steering control. ESC will
attempt to correct the vehicle motion by applying brake force at
individual tires and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
During Dynamic Stability Control events the “sliding car” icon in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Driving maneuvers which may activate ESC system include:
• Taking a turn too fast.
• Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle.
• Driving over a patch of ice.
• Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
169

•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa.
• Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa.
• Driving on slick surfaces.
• Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer to Trailer
towing in theTires, Wheels and Loading chapter.)
Roll Stability Control (RSC)
The RSC system works in conjunction with the ESC system to help
maintain roll stability of the vehicle during aggressive maneuvers by
applying brake force to one or more wheels.
During Roll Stability Control (RSC) events the “sliding car” icon in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Driving conditions that may activate ESC include:
• Emergency lane-change
• Taking a turn too fast
• Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) button and icon functionality
The ESC system automatically turns on each time the engine is started,
even if it was turned off when the engine was last shut down. The
“sliding car” icon which is located with the warning lights in the
instrument cluster will illuminate during bulb check at initial start-up and
then go off. This tells you that the system is normal and active. All
functions of the ESC system (RSC, DSC, and TCS) will be activated at
start up. When the system is left active, the “sliding car” icon will flash
only when any of the components of the system are affecting the
vehicle’s performance, otherwise the light will remain off. Consequently,
the “sliding car” icon will not be illuminated during most of your normal
driving.
The ESC button, located on the
center stack of the instrument
panel, allows the driver to control
certain features of the ESC system
below 25 mph (40 km/h). If the
vehicle is below 25 mph (40 km/h),
momentarily pressing the ESC button will disable RSC, DSC and Engine
Traction Control and steadily illuminate the “sliding car” icon. Pressing
and holding the ESC button for more than five seconds will further
disable the brake portion of the Traction Control feature and the “sliding
car” icon will flash momentarily and then illuminate steady.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
170

If the vehicle is above 25 mph (40 km/h), momentarily pressing the ESC
button will steadily illuminate the “sliding car” icon, however, the ESC
system will remain enabled until the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph.
If the vehicle speed decreases below 25 mph (40 km/h), the system will
become deactivated, but if the vehicle speed subsequently increases to
above 25 mph (40 km/h), the system will again become active. In
general, the system will be active at all times the vehicle speed is above
25 mph (40 km/h).
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Traction Control feature will continue to
function, however ESC and RSC are disabled.
All these conditions are normal during ESC system operation. Refer to
the following table.
Electronic Stability Control Features
Button
functions “Sliding
car” icon RSC DSC Engine
Traction Control Brake
Traction Control
Default at
start-up Illuminated
during bulb check Enabled Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button
pressed
momentarily Illuminated
solid Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Disabled below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Disabled below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Enabled
Button
pressed and
held more
than five
seconds Flashes
then
illuminated solid Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Disabled below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Disabled below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
WARNING: Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or
steering; the resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can
adversely affect the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
171

•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
NOTE:
• If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
• When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the
hubs (if possible) and proceed
slowly. If the ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
• Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts, halfshafts and tires. Excess mud on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that could damage drive
components.
NOTE:
If the transaxle Power Take Off unit or rear axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Driving
184