3–52
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, fl ares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
6-29 .
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-26 ).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fl uid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fl uid (page 6-31 ).
NOTE
Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
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.
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3–60
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Hitch
Use only a hitch ball recommended by the trailer manufacturer that conforms to the gross
trailer weight requirement.
When not towing a trailer, remove the trailer hitch (if detachable) to reduce the possibility of
damage as a result of the vehicle being rear-ended.
WARNING
Always make sure the trailer hitch is securely attached before departure:
An unsecured trailer hitch is dangerous as it causes greater trailer sway from crosswinds,
rough roads or other causes, resulting in loss of control and a serious accident.
Examine all trailer-hitch mounting bolts regularly and tighten any that are loose. If the
hitch is removed, seal any open mounting holes to prevent exhaust, dust, water, dirt
and other foreign elements from fi ltering in, possibly endangering personal safety and
damaging your vehicle.
Do not install a hitch that stiff ens the bumper as it will reduce the bumper's performance.
Make sure there are no exhaust gas leaks into the passenger compartment if any
mounting bolts are connected to the body:
Modifying your vehicle exhaust system is dangerous. Exhaust gas entering the vehicle
could cause loss of consciousness or even death.
When mounting the trailer hitch, make no modifi cations to the vehicle exhaust system.
CAUTION
Make all hitch adjustments with actual loads. Do not load and unload vehicle while
adjusting hitch. This action will change the vehicle height.
Do not use an axle-mounted hitch. This may damage the axle and related parts.
Tires
When towing a trailer, make sure all tires are infl ated to the recommended cold-tire pressure,
as indicated on the tire pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tire size, load rating,
and infl ation pressures should conform to tire manufacturer specifi cations.
WARNING
Never use the temporary spare tire when towing:
Using the temporary spare tire on your vehicle when towing a trailer is dangerous as it
could result in tire failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
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4–75
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
*Some models.
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 4-72 ) and TCS
(page 4-73 ).
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 Indication/Warning
Lights on page 4-32 .
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
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tires of the correct size specifi ed
for your Mazda on all four wheels.
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
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, DSC or the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA)
* 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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4–76
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer Stability Assist
(TSA)
If the vehicle sways while being driven
and towing a trailer, the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA) automatically controls
braking and engine torque to suppress the
swaying and enhance vehicle stability.
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is
operable at a vehicle speed of about 65
km/h (40 mph) or more.
When the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
operates while driving the vehicle, the
TCS/DSC indicator light fl ashes.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indicator Light on page
4-75 .
WARNING
Do not rely solely on the Trailer Stability
Assist (TSA)
Assured vehicle stability is limited even
if the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is
operating. Drive carefully to prevent
accidents.
In particular, if the TCS/DSC indicator
light is fl ashing, drive the vehicle
carefully as it is in a less stable
condition and could sway more easily.
Drive with caution and in accordance
with the road, vehicle and trailer
conditions.
CAUTION
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) may not
operate correctly unless the following
are observed:
Use tires of the correct size specifi ed
for your Mazda on all four wheels.
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) may not
operate correctly when tire chains are
used or a temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
NOTE
The Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) uses
the TCS/DSC functions. The Trailer
Stability Assist (TSA) does not operate
if there is a malfunction in the TCS/DSC
(the TCS/DSC indicator light turns on).
When the Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
is operating, the brake lights may turn
on.
For information regarding trailer
towing, refer to Trailer Towing (U.S.A.
and Canada) on page 3-57 .
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4–82
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large
role in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires at the same time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
Inspect tire infl ation pressures at the
specifi ed periods adjust to the specifi ed
pressures, and initialize the tire pressure
monitoring system.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring
System Initialization on page 4-153 .
NOTE
Check the tire infl ation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire infl ation pressure.
Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine wheels of the specifi ed size, on
all wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all four wheels being of
the same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.
Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the vehicle faster than
30 km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.
Towing
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all four wheels completely off
the ground.
Refer to Towing Description on page
7-26 .
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4–117
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure
Warning System (LDWS):
The Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) is not an
automatic driving system. In addition, the system is not designed to compensate for a
driver's lack of caution, and over-reliance on the system could lead to an accident.
The detection ability of the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning
System (LDWS) is limited. Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive
with care.
Do not use the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) in the following cases:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves.
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
Slippery roads such as ice or snow-bound roads.
Roads with heavy traffi c and insuffi cient distance between vehicles.
Roads with no white (yellow) lane lines.
Narrow roads resulting from road construction or lane closures.
The vehicle is driven on a temporary lane or section with a closed lane resulting from
road construction where there may be multiple white (yellow) lane lines or they are
interrupted.
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the specifi ed pressure.
Tires of a diff erent specifi ed size are used, such as an emergency spare tire.
CAUTION
Heed the following cautions so that the Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) & Lane Departure
Warning System (LDWS) can operate normally.
Do not modify the suspensions.
Always use wheels of the specifi ed type and size for the front and rear wheels. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer for tire replacement.
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4–130
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
CAUTION
When driving off -road in areas where there is grass or foliage, it is recommended that the
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system be turned off .
Always use tires for all wheels that are of the specifi ed size, and the same manufacturer,
brand, and tread pattern. In addition, do not use tires with signifi cantly diff erent wear
patterns on the same vehicle as the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system may not
operate normally.
The laser sensor (front) includes a function for detecting a soiled windshield and informing
the driver, however, depending on the conditions, it may not detect plastic shopping bags,
ice or snow on the windshield. In such cases, the system cannot accurately determine a
vehicle ahead and may not be able to operate normally. Always drive carefully and pay
attention to the road ahead.
NOTE
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system will not operate if the driver is deliberately
performing driving operations (accelerator pedal and steering wheel).
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system will operate under the following conditions.
The engine is running.
“Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction” is not displayed in the multi-
information display.
The vehicle speed is between about 4 to 30 km/h (2 to 18 mph).
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is not turned off.
The DSC is not malfunctioning.
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) detects a vehicle ahead by emitting a near-infrared
laser beam and receiving the beam refl ected off the refl ector of the vehicle ahead, and
then using it for the measurement. Consequently, the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
may not operate under the following conditions:
Refl ection of the laser is poor due to the shape of the vehicle ahead.
The vehicle ahead is signifi cantly dirty.
Under bad weather condition, such as rain, fog and snow.
The window washer is being used or the windshield wipers are not used when it's
raining.
The windshield is dirty.
The steering wheel is turned completely left or right, or the vehicle is accelerated
rapidly and comes close to the vehicle ahead.
Trucks with low loading platforms and vehicles with an extremely low or high profi le.
Vehicles with certain shapes such as a vehicle carrier.
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4–141
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect
vehicles ahead or obstructions correctly and each system may not operate normally.
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.
Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for refl ecting radio waves.
Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield.
The luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats are
occupied.
Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.
During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.
When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.
Under the following conditions, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect
vehicles ahead or obstructions.
The beginning and end of a curve.
Roads with continuous curves.
Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.
The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.
The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage.
Roads with repeated up and down slopes
Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads.
The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.
A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.
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).
If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.
When driving on roads with little traffi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for
the radar sensor (front) to detect, “Front Radar Sensor Blocked” may be temporarily
displayed, however, this does not indicate a problem.
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