Page 2 of 304
Seating and Safety Restraints82
Seating 82
Safety restraints 93
Airbags 108
Child restraints 124
Tires, Wheels and Loading141
Tire information 143
Tire inflation 145
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 159
Vehicle loading 164
Trailer towing 171
Recreational towing 176
Driving178
Starting 178
Brakes 184
Electronic stability control 187
Transmission operation 193
Roadside Emergencies207
Hazard flasher switch 207
Fuel pump shut-off switch 207
Fuses and relays 208
Changing tires 215
Wheel lug nut torque 226
Overheating 227
Jump starting 228
Wrecker towing 234
Customer Assistance236
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 246
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 246
Cleaning247
Table of Contents
2
2009 Tribute(j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Page 8 of 304
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
Rear Window
Defrost/DemistPower Windows
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Introduction
8
Page 53 of 304

The sliding tray and inside bin can
be hooked on the side or rear of the
console for extra storage.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12VDC)
WARNING:Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only.
Do not insert any other object in the power outlet as this will
damage the outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of
accessory or accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the
power outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
The auxiliary power point is located
in front of the gearshift and on the
rear side of the center console.
Do not use the power point for
operating the cigarette lighter
element (if equipped).
To prevent the fuse from being
blown, do not use the power
point(s) over the vehicle capacity of
12 VDC/180W. If the power point or
cigar lighter socket is not working, a fuse may have blown. Refer to
Fuses and relays in theRoadside Emergencies chapter for information
on checking and replacing fuses.
To have full capacity usage of your power point, the engine is required to
be running to avoid unintentional discharge of the battery. To prevent
the battery from being discharged:
• do not use the power point longer than necessary when the engine is
not running,
• do not leave battery chargers, video game adapters, computers and
other devices plugged in overnight or when the vehicle is parked for
extended periods.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driver Controls
53
Page 109 of 304

WARNING:The driver should always hold onto only the rim of
the steering wheel. Never place your arm over the airbag module
or anywhere inside the rim as a deploying airbag can result in serious
arm fractures or other injuries.
Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the airbag:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
• Recline the seat slightly (one or two notches) from the upright
position.
WARNING: Do not put anything on or over the airbag module
including hands or feet. Placing objects on or over the airbag
inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the airbag
into your face and torso causing serious injury.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
Airbag Supplemental Restraint Systems or its fuses. See your
authorized Mazda dealership.
WARNING: Modifications to the front end of the vehicle,
including frame, bumper, front end body structure, tow hooks,
and snow plows may affect the performance of the airbag sensors
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the
vehicle.
WARNING: Additional equipment may affect the performance of
the airbag sensors increasing the risk of injury. Consult your
authorized Mazda dealership before installation of additional
equipment.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
109
Page 117 of 304

A malfunction with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
• A series of five beep sounds will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized Mazda dealership immediately.
WARNING: Unless serviced, the system may not function
properly in the event of a collision.
Seat-mounted side airbag system (if equipped)
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the
risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers or non-Mazda
leather seat upgrade kits. The use of accessory seat covers and
kits may prevent the deployment of the side airbags and increase the
risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an
airbag. See an authorized dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle should always wear
their seat belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
117
Page 120 of 304

Side-curtain airbag system (if equipped)
You can easily confirm if your vehicle has side-curtain airbags by looking
inside the vehicle up at the upperBpillar where you will see an
embossed AIRBAG label.
WARNING: Do not place
objects or mount equipment
on or near the headliner at the
siderail that may come into
contact with a deploying
side-curtain airbags (if equipped).
Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of personal
injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door or window glass.
The side-curtain airbags (if equipped) could injure you as it
deploys from the headliner.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
side-curtain airbags (if equipped), fuses, the A, B, or C pillar
trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing side-curtain airbags. See
your authorized Mazda dealer.
WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle including the driver
should always wear their seat belts even when an airbag SRS and
side-curtain airbags (if equipped) are provided.
WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place
objects in the deployment path of the inflatable side-curtain
airbags (if equipped).
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
120
Page 194 of 304

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer
toFuses and relays in theRoadside Emergencies chapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure: 1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to off, then remove the key.
2. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, carefully pry out the small
Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock (BTSI) cover cap
located to the right of the
gearshift lever.
3. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool straight down into the
access hole and press downward
while pulling the gearshift lever
out of the P (Park) position and
into the N (Neutral) position.
4. Remove tool and reinstall the BTSI cover cap.
5. Start the vehicle and release the parking brake.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. Drive slowly and carefully to your authorized dealer.
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Driving
194
Page 208 of 304
This switch is located in the front
passenger’s footwell, behind a
flip-up cover, by the kick panel
access cover.
To reset the switch:1. Turn the ignition to the off position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no leaks are apparent, reset the switch by pushing in on the
reset button.
4. Turn the ignition to the on position.
5. Wait a few seconds and return the key to the off position.
6. Make another check for leaks.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Note: Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
15
2009 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
208