SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Mazda. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Mazda can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally, the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. If you need to use snow tires and cables, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specification as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
• SAE class “S” cables should ONLY be used on the front axle for
P235/70R16 tires.
• Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent vehicle damage.
• Avoid overloading your vehicle.
• Remove the cables when they are no longer needed.
• Do not use cables on dry roads.
• The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and traction devices.
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables on your vehicle.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight – is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
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WARNING:Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) in theTire, Wheels and Loading chapter for
important information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor
becomes damaged, it will no longer function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
WARNING: Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Mazda. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types: 1. T-type mini-spare: This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel: This spare tire
has a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:
• Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
• Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
• Tow a trailer
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
• Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
• Use commercial car washing equipment
• Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
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Roadside Emergencies
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Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
• Comfort and noise
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs
• Winter weather driving capability
• Wet weather driving capability
3. Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel, do not:
• Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
• Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
• Use commercial car washing equipment
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking performance
• Comfort and noise
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs
• Winter weather driving capability
• Wet weather driving capability
• All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
• Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
• Towing a trailer
• Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
• Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
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Roadside Emergencies
217
Roof rack .....................................64
S
Safety defects, reporting ..........246
Safety restraints ............93, 97–101Belt-Minder ...........................103
extension assembly ................102
for adults ...........................98–100
for children .............................124
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................95
seat belt maintenance ............140
warning light and
chime ...............................102–103
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................132
Safety seats for children ..........128
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................296
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....19
Satellite Radio Information ........32
Scheduled Maintenance ...........253
Seat Belt Maintenance .............140
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints)..93, 97–101
Seats ............................................82 child safety seats ....................128
heated ........................................88
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................77
Servicing your vehicle ..............259
Setting the clock .........................19
Side-curtain airbags system
(if equipped) .............118, 120–121
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs, specifications .......295 Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................293
Speed control ..............................57
Starting your
vehicle ........................178–179, 181 jump starting ..........................228
Steering wheel tilting .........................................50
Stereo CD-MP3 .....................................19
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................50
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Tires, Wheels and Loading ....159
Tires ...................................143–144 alignment ................................152
care ..........................................148
changing ..........................218, 220
checking the pressure ............148
inflating ...................................145
label .........................................158
replacing ..................................149
rotating ....................................152
safety practices .......................151
sidewall information ...............154
snow tires and chains ............164
spare tire .........................216, 218
terminology .............................145
tire grades ...............................144
treadwear ........................144, 148
Towing .......................................171 recreational towing .................176
trailer towing ..........................171
wrecker ....................................234
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USA (fus)
Index
303