Black plate (430,1)
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:
lIncorrect tire pressurelImproper wheel alignmentlOut-of-balance wheellSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 9-7) 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 4-119.
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.
qReplacing 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 4-119.
6-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page430
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (431,1)
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 8-25.
qTemporary Spare Tireí
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least
monthly to make sure it is properly
inflated 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 9-7.
CAUTION
ØDo not use your temporary spare
tire rim with a snow tire or a
conventional tire. Neither will
properly fit and could damage
both tire and rim.
ØThe temporary spare tire has a
tread life of less than 5,000 km
(3,000 miles). The tread life may
be shorter depending on driving
conditions.
ØThe temporary spare tire is for
limited use, however, if the tread
wear solid-band indicator
appears, replace the tire with the
same type of temporary spare
(page 6-37).
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 8-25.
qReplacing a Wheel
WARNING
Always use wheels of the correct size
on your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is
dangerous. Braking and handling
could be affected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
6-37íSome models. Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page431
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (466,1)
Maintenance
lAlways keep the jack clean.lMake sure the moving parts are kept
free from dirt or rust.
lMake sure the screw thread is
adequately lubricated.
qSpare Tireí
Your Mazda has a temporary spare tire.
The temporary spare tire is lighter and
smaller than a conventional tire, and is
designed only for emergency use and
should be used only for VERY short
periods. Temporary spare tires should
NEVER be used for long drives or
extended periods.
WARNING
Do not install the temporary spare tire
on the front wheels (driving wheels):
Driving with the temporary spare tire
on one of the front driving wheels is
dangerous. Handling will be affected.
You could lose control of the vehicle,
especially on ice or snow bound
roads, and have an accident. Move a
regular tire to the front wheel and
install the temporary spare tire to the
rear.
CAUTION
ØWhen using the temporary spare
tire, driving stability may decrease
compared to when using only the
conventional tire. Drive carefully.
ØTo avoid damage to the temporary
spare tire or to the vehicle, observe
the following precautions:
ØDo not exceed 80 km/h (50
mph).
ØAvoid driving over obstacles.
Also, do not drive through an
automatic car wash. This tire's
diameter is smaller than a
conventional tire, so the ground
clearance is reduced about
10 mm (0.4 in).
ØDo not use a tire chain on this
tire because it will not fit
properly.
ØDo not use your temporary
spare tire on any other vehicle,
it has been designed only for
your Mazda.
ØUse only one temporary spare
tire on your vehicle at the same
time.
To remove the spare tire
1. Lift the trunk mat.
Trunk mat
7-6
If Trouble Arises
íSome models.
Flat Tire
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page466
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (471,1)
WARNING
Attach the speed restriction sticker in a
place where it can be viewed easily by
the driver:
ØApplying the speed restriction
sticker to the steering wheel is
dangerous as it could interfere
with the air bag deployment and
result in serious injury.
ØDo not apply the sticker to any
position other than the position
indicated in the illustration of the
speedometer.
10. Switch the ignition ON (engine
running).
11. Turn the compressor on and wait until
the sealant is injected into the tire.
After the sealant is injected into the
tire, continue waiting until the tire is
inflated to the correct air pressure.
NOTE
lCheck the tire inflation pressure label
(driver's door frame) for the correct tire
inflation pressure.
lIf the tire air pressure is not correct after a
few seconds, the tire may be seriously
damaged. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
12. When the tire has been inflated to the
proper inflation pressure, turn the
compressor switch off and remove the
hose from the tire valve.
13. Install the tire valve cap.
14. Store the hose, removed from the
valve, in the trunk and resume driving
the vehicle.
CAUTION
ØDrive carefully to an Authorized
Mazda Dealer and keep the
vehicle speed below 80 km/h (50
mph).
ØIf the vehicle is driven over 80
km/h (50 mph), the vehicle might
begin to vibrate.
NOTE
lIf the tire is not properly inflated, the tire
pressure monitoring system warning light
will illuminate (page 4-23).
lDo not press the tire pressure monitoring
system set switch after installing the spare
tire or after using the emergency flat tire
repair kit. The switch is only to be pressed
after installing the repaired flat tire or
installing a replacement tire (page 4-23).
15. After driving the vehicle 5 km, set up
the compressor again using Step 8 of
the procedure. Turn the compressor
on and then off after a few seconds,
and check the tire air pressure. If the
tire air pressure is low, turn the
compressor on again and wait until
the tire inflates to the correct air
pressure.
CAUTION
ØIf the tire inflation pressure falls
below 130 kPa (1.3 kgf/cm2or bar,
18.9 psi), repair cannot be done
with the repair kit. Park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
ØIf the tire inflation pressure
continues to remain low, park the
vehicle on a level surface off the
right-of-way and contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-11
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page471
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (473,1)
Changing a Flat Tire
(With spare tire)
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it could
indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.lThe vehicle begins to vibrate excessively.lThe vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WARNING
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire:
Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
No person should place any portion
of their body under a vehicle that is
supported by a jack.
Never allow anyone inside a vehicle
supported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
NOTE
Make sure the jack is well lubricated before
using it.
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of-
way and firmly set the parking brake.2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle
and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire
(page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or wood blocks
of sufficient size if possible to hold the tire in
place.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-13
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page473
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (476,1)
WARNING
Do not jack up the vehicle higher than
is necessary:
Jacking up the vehicle higher than is
necessary is dangerous as it could
destabilize the vehicle resulting in an
accident.
Do not start the engine or shake the
vehicle while it is jacked up:
Starting the engine or shaking the
vehicle while it is jacked up is
dangerous as it could cause the
vehicle to fall off the jack resulting in
an accident.
Never go under the vehicle while it is
jacked up:
Going under the vehicle while it is
jacked up is dangerous as it could
result in death or serious injury if the
vehicle were to fall off the jack.
8. Remove the lug nuts by turning them
counterclockwise; then remove the
wheel and center cap.
qLocking Lug Nuts
If your vehicle has Mazda optional
antitheft wheel lug nuts, one on each
wheel will lock the tires and you must use
a special key to unlock them. This key
will attach to the lug wrench and can be
stored with the spare tire. Register them
with the lock manufacturer by filling out
the card provided in the glove
compartment and mailing it in the
accompanying envelope. If you lose this
key, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
or use the lock manufacturer's order form,
which is with the registration card.
Special key Antitheft lug nut
To remove an antitheft lug nut
1. Obtain the special key for the antitheft
lug nut.
2. Place the special key on top of the
antitheft lug nut, and be sure to hold
the key square to it. If you hold the key
at an angle, you may damage both key
and nut. Do not use a power impact
wrench.
3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key
and apply pressure. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
7-16
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page476
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (477,1)
To install the antitheft lug nut
1. Place the special key on top of the nut,
and be sure to hold the key square to it.
If you hold the key at an angle, you
may damage both key and nut. Do not
use a power impact wrench.
2. Place the lug wrench on top of the
special key, apply pressure, and turn it
clockwise.
Nut tightening torque
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf)108―147
(12―14, 80―108)
qMounting the Spare Tire
1. Remove dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub, including the hub bolts, with a
cloth.
WARNING
Make sure the mounting surfaces of
the wheel, hub and lug nuts are clean
before changing or replacing tires:
When changing or replacing a tire,
not removing dirt and grime from the
mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub
and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug
nuts could loosen while driving and
cause the tire to come off, resulting in
an accident.2. Mount the spare tire.
3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled
edge inward; tighten them by hand.
WARNING
Do not apply oil or grease to lug nuts
and bolts and do not tighten the lug
nuts beyond the recommended
tightening torque:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and
bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts
could loosen while driving and cause
the tire to come off, resulting in an
accident. In addition, lug nuts and
bolts could be damaged if tightened
more than necessary.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-17
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page477
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (479,1)
10. Thread the buckle through the wheel
as shown in the figure and secure it so
that the buckle does not contact the
wheel.
11. Thread the belt through the buckle,
then pull the belt end to secure the flat
tire.
12. Return the seat back on the right side
of the rear seat to its original position.
13. Remove the tire blocks and store the
tools and jack.
14. Check the inflation pressure. Refer to
Tires on page 9-7.
15. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced
as soon as possible.NOTE
Do not press the tire pressure monitoring
system set switch after installing the spare tire.
The switch is only to be pressed after installing
the repaired flat tire or installing a
replacement tire (page 4-23).
WARNING
Do not drive with any tires that have
incorrect air pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air
pressure is dangerous. Tires with
incorrect pressure could affect
handling and result in an accident.
When you check the regular tires' air
pressure, check the spare tire, too.
NOTE
To prevent the jack and tool from rattling, store
them properly.
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
7-19
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page479
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L