2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK spare tire

3–48
Before Driving
Driving Tips
NOTE
 


y Do not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual
transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
 


y Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
 


y Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
 


y Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
 


y Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Infl ate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2 , 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates you
may fi nd it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels:
Using tires diff erent in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly aff ected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
 


¾ Chains may aff ect handling.



¾ Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
 


¾ Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
 


¾ Avoid locked-wheel braking.



¾ Do not use chains on a temporary spare
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
 


¾ Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
 


¾ Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tire
chains.
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4–67
When Driving
Radar Sensor
NOTE
 


y In the following cases, the radar sensor may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or
obstructions.
 


y The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not refl ect radio waves effectively, such as
an unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
 


y Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for refl ecting radio waves.



y Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield.
 


y The trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger
seats are occupied.
 


y Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.



y During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.



y When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.




y In the following cases, the radar sensor may detect vehicles in the opposite lane or
surrounding obstructions, or it may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or obstructions.
 


y The beginning and end of a curve.



y Roads with continuous curves.



y Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.



y The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.



y The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage. 



y Roads with repeated up and down slopes



y Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads.



y The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.



y A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.




y To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specifi ed size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with signifi cantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle. (Including
the temporary spare tire)
 


y If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.



y When driving on roads with little traffi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the
radar sensor to detect, Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/
SCBS) indicator light temporarily illuminates, however, this does not indicate a problem.
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4–81
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-79 ) and TCS (page
4-80 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-22 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION
 


¾ The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
 


¾ Use tires of the correct size specifi ed
for your Mazda on all four wheels.
 


¾ Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
 


¾ Do not mix worn tires.




¾ The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary
spare tire is installed because the tire
diameter changes.
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light fl ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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4–105
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
CAUTION
 


¾ Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and
infl ated to the infl ation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire infl ation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a diff erent size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire infl ation pressure for those tires.)
  As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system ( TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires
is signifi cantly under-infl ated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and infl ate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a signifi cantly under-infl ated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-infl ation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
aff ect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.

 Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-infl ation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
  Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly.
  The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will fl ash for approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement
or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
 


¾ To avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a problem.
As a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire defl ation or blow out.
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*Some models.4–125
When Driving
Rear View Monitor
Rear View Monitor *
The rear view monitor provides visual images of the rear of the vehicle when reversing.
WARNING
Always drive carefully confi rming the safety of the rear and the surrounding conditions
by looking directly with your eyes:
Reversing the vehicle by only looking at the screen is dangerous as it may cause an
accident or a collision with an object. The rear view monitor is only a visual assist device
when reversing the vehicle. The images on the screen may be diff erent from the actual
conditions.
CAUTION
 


¾ Do not use the rear view monitor under the following conditions: Using the rear view
monitor under the following conditions is dangerous and could result in injury or vehicle
damage or both.
 


¾ Icy or snow-covered roads.



¾ Tire chains or a temporary spare tire is installed.



¾ The trunk lid/liftgate is not fully closed.



¾ The vehicle is on a road incline.




¾ When the display is cold, images may course across the monitor or the screen and may be
dimmer than usual, which could cause diffi culty in confi rming the surrounding conditions
of the vehicle. Always drive carefully confi rming the safety of the rear and the surrounding
conditions by looking directly with your eyes.
 


¾ Do not apply excessive force to the camera. The camera position and angle may deviate.



¾ Do not disassemble, modify, or remove it as it may no longer be waterproof.



¾ The camera cover is made of plastic. Do not apply degreasing agents, organic solvents,
wax, or glass coating agents to the camera cover. If any are spilled on the cover, wipe off
with a soft cloth immediately.
 


¾ Do not rub the cover excessively, or polish it using an abrasive compound or a hard brush.
The cover may be damaged aff ecting the image.
NOTE




y If water, snow, or mud is stuck on the camera lens, wipe it off using a soft cloth. If it
cannot be wiped off, use a mild detergent.
 


y If the camera temperature changes rapidly (Hot to cold, cold to hot), the rear view
monitor may not operate correctly.
 


y When replacing the tires, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Replacing the tires could
result in deviation of the guide lines which appear on the display.
 


y If the vehicle's front, side, or rear has been involved in a collision, the alignment of
the rear view parking camera (location, installation angle) may have deviated. Always
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
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6–41
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire infl ation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Diff erent Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with diff erent
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor braking;
leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.

Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specifi ed for the vehicle (page 9-10 )
is dangerous. It could seriously aff ect
ride, handling, ground clearance,
tire clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specifi ed for the
vehicle.
Tire Infl ation Pressure
WARNING
Always infl ate the tires to the correct
pressure:
Overinfl ation or underinfl ation of tires
is dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in a
serious accident.
Refer to Tires on page 9-10 .

Use only a Mazda-genuine tire valve
cap:
Use of a non-genuine part is
dangerous as the correct tire air
pressure cannot be maintained if the
tire valve becomes damaged. If the
vehicle is driven under this condition,
the tire air pressure will decrease which
could result in a serious accident. Do
not use any part for the tire valve cap
that is not a Mazda-genuine part.
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures for
the best ride, handling, and minimum tire
wear.
Refer to the specifi cation charts (page
9-10 ).
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-107 .
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6–42
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
NOTE
 


y Always check tire pressure when tires
are cold.
 


y Warm tires normally exceed
recommended pressures. Do not release
air from warm tires to adjust the
pressure.
 


y Underinfl ation can cause reduced fuel
economy, uneven and accelerated tire
wear, and poor sealing of the tire bead,
which will deform the wheel and cause
separation of tire from rim.
 


y Overinfl ation can produce a harsh ride,
uneven and accelerated tire wear, and a
greater possibility of damage from road
hazards.
  Keep your tire pressure at the correct
levels. If one frequently needs infl ating,
have it inspected.
Tire Rotation
WARNING
Rotate tires periodically:
Irregular tire wear is dangerous. To
equalize tread wear for maintaining
good performance in handling and
braking, rotate the tires every 12,000
km (7,500 miles). However Mazda
recommends to rotate every 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) to help increase tire life
and distribute wear more evenly.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4 .
During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
 


y Incorrect tire pressure



y Improper wheel alignment



y Out-of-balance wheel



y Severe braking
After rotation, infl ate all tire pressures to
specifi cation (page 9-10 ) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-107 .
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to rear,
not from side to side. Tire performance
will be reduced if rotated from side to
side.
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6–43
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Replacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.

Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one tire is dangerous. It
could cause poor handling and poor
braking resulting in loss of vehicle
control. Mazda strongly recommends
that you replace all four tires at the
same time.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the band
crosses the entire tread.
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-107 .
NOTE
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used on the road. It
is recommended that tires generally be
replaced when they are 6 years or older.
Heat caused by hot climates or frequent
high loading conditions can accelerate
the aging process. You should replace the
spare tire when you replace the other road
tires due to the aging of the spare tire. The
period in which the tire was manufactured
(both week and year) is indicated by a
4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling on page 8-23 .
Temporary Spare Tire
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it is properly
infl ated and stored.
NOTE
The temporary spare tire condition
gradually deteriorates even if it has not
been used.
The temporary spare tire is easier to
handle because of its construction which
is lighter and smaller than a conventional
tire. This tire should be used only for an
emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary spare tire only until the
conventional tire is repaired, which should
be as soon as possible.
Refer to Tires on page 9-10 .
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