2009 MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE ABS

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 fill inlet:
Illuminates when the fuel cap fill
inlet may not be properly closed.
Continued driving with this light on
may cause the Service engine soon
warning light to come on, refer to
Easy Fuel “no cap” fuel system in theMaintenance and Specification
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 on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
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.
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.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
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Instrument Cluster
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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 the ignition is
turned to on, 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.
AdvanceTrac/Traction
Control™: Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction Control™ is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to the Drivingchapter for
more information.
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Instrument Cluster
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SEATING
Adjustable head restraints
Your vehicle is equipped with front row outboard head restraints that are
vertically adjustable.
WARNING:To minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a
crash, the driver and passenger occupants should not sit in
and/or operate the vehicle, until the head restraint is placed in its
proper position. The driver should never adjust the head restraint
while the vehicle is in motion.
The adjustable head restraints
consist of :
• a trimmed energy absorbing foam
and structure (1),
• two steel stems (2),
• a guide sleeve adjust/release
button (3),
• and a guide sleeve unlock/remove
button (4).
To adjust the head restraint, do the following: 1. Adjust the seatback to an upright driving/riding position.
2. Raise the head restraint by pulling up on the head restraint.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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Move a child to a different seating location if the shoulder belt does not
stay positioned on the shoulder during use.
Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.
WARNING:Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder
belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces
the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk
of injury or death in a collision.
Child restraint and seat belt maintenance
Inspect the seat belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged.
NOTE: If unsure about the proper procedures, bring your vehicle to an
authorized Mazda dealership for inspection. Inspect the seat belts to
make sure there are no nicks, tears or cuts, replacing if necessary. Check
all emergency locking retractors on all outboard seating positions as well
as the automatic locking mode for child safety seats on all seats except
the driver’s seat. All seat belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles,
front seat belt buckle assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if
equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt
guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), LATCH child seat tether anchors and lower
anchors (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after
a collision. Mazda recommends that all seat belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and an authorized Mazda technician finds that the belts do not
show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Seat belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
The energy absorbing functions may have been activated in a collision so
the restraints should be examined; if the front airbags have deployed, the
pretensioners have also deployed and must be replaced — regardless of
whether there was an occupant in the passenger seat or not. The
optional side airbags are not connected to the pretensioners.
WARNING: Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the seat
belt assembly under the above conditions could result in severe
personal injuries in the event of a collision.
Refer to Interior in theCleaning chapter.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
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How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts
of energy per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not
have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after
approximately three hours of operation. Block heater operation longer
than three hours will not improve system performance and will
unnecessarily use additional electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
light in the Instrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Since your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS),
a noise from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may
be observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with
noise while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps,
wet or snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the
vehicle’s anti-lock brake system.
NOTE: The ABS performs a self-check after you start the engine and
begin to drive away.
A brief mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal. If
a malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will come on. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
P!
BRAKE
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Driving
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The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
WARNING:The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce stopping
distance. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and the
vehicle in front of you to stop.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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Driving
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Stability Control system can be restored by pressing the Electronic
Stability ControlOffbutton again or by turning off and restarting the
engine.
If you switch off the Electronic Stability Control system, the sliding car 
icon
will illuminate steadily. Pressing the Electronic Stability Control
Off button again will turn off the sliding caricon
.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Engine and Brake Traction Control features
will continue to function; however, DSC and RSC are disabled.
Electronic Stability Control Features
Button
functions “Sliding
car”
icon
RSC DSCTraction
Control
Default at
start-up Illuminated
during bulb check Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button pressed
momentarily Illuminated
solid Enabled Enabled Disabled
Button pressed
again after
deactivation Not
illuminated Enabled Enabled Enabled
Trailer Sway Control (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with Trailer Sway Control (TSC). When
properly equipped, trailer sway control will use the sensors of the
vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control system to detect and attempt to
mitigate trailer sway by applying brake force at individual wheels and, if
necessary, by reducing engine power. No driver action is required.
WARNING: Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from
swaying, it mitigates the sway from increasing once it has
occurred. TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. If you are
experiencing trailer sway, it is likely that the trailer is improperly
loaded for the correct tongue weight or the speed of the vehicle and
trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer over to a safe location to
check the trailer weight distribution and tongue load and reduce speed
to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is experienced, SLOW
DOWN. Always use caution when towing a trailer and follow the
tongue weight recommendations. Refer to the Trailer towingsection
in the Tires Wheels and Loading chapter of this owner’s manual
for more information on towing a trailer with your vehicle.
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Driving
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Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Since your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
•4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
• Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
• Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
• Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop
any faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident as to road conditions.
• Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other
vehicles for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one
of the lower gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of
the wheels. Use a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a
steadily increasing force which allows the wheels to brake yet
continue to roll so that you may steer in the direction you want to
travel. If you lock the wheels, release the brake pedal and repeat the
squeeze technique. Since your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the brake steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes. Refer to the Brakessection of this chapter for
additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
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Driving
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