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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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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4–134
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
The Smart Brake Support (SBS) system operates when all of the following conditions are
met:
The ignition is switched ON.
The Smart Brake Support (SBS) system is on.
The vehicle speed is about 15 km/h or faster (10 mph or faster).
The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is about 15 km/h or
faster (10 mph or faster).
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is not operating.
The Smart Brake Support (SBS) system may not operate under the following conditions:
If the vehicle is accelerated rapidly and it comes close to a vehicle ahead.
The vehicle is driven at the same speed as the vehicle ahead.
The accelerator pedal is depressed.
The brake pedal is depressed.
The steering wheel is being operated.
The selector lever is being operated.
The turn signal is being used.
When the vehicle ahead is not equipped with taillights or the taillights are turned off.
When warnings and messages, such as a dirty windshield, related to the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC)/laser sensor (front) are being displayed in the multi-
information display.
Although the objects which activate the system are four-wheeled vehicles, the radar
sensor (front) could detect the following objects, determine them to be an obstruction, and
operate the Smart Brake Support (SBS) system.
Objects on the road at the entrance to a curve (including guardrails and snow banks).
A vehicle appears in the opposite lane while cornering or rounding a curve.
When crossing a narrow bridge.
When passing under a low gate or through a tunnel or narrow gate.
When entering an underground parking area.
Metal objects, bumps, or protruding objects on the road.
If you suddenly come close to a vehicle ahead.
When driving in areas where there is high grass or forage.
Two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes or bicycles.
Pedestrians or non-metallic objects such as standing trees.
When the system operates, the user is notifi ed by the multi-information display.
The Smart Brake Support (SBS) warning indication (amber) turns on when the system has
a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-31 .
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4–150
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
*Some models.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System *
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the air pressure of all four tires. If
the air pressure of one or more tires is too low, the system warns the driver by indicating the
tire pressure monitoring system warning light in the instrument cluster and operating a beep
sound. The system monitors the tire pressures indirectly using the data sent from the ABS
wheel speed sensors.
To allow the system to operate correctly, the system needs to be initialized with the specifi ed
tire pressure (value on the tire pressure label). Follow the procedure and perform the
initialization.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization on page 4-153 .
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Indication/Warning Lights on page 4-32 .
ABS wheel speed sensor
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4–153
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization
In the following cases, system
initialization must be performed so that the
system operates normally.
A tire pressure is adjusted.
Tire rotation is performed.
A tire or wheel is replaced.
The battery is replaced or completely
drained.
The tire pressure monitoring system
warning light is illuminated.
Initialization method
1. Park the car in a safe place and fi rmly
apply the parking brake.
2. Let the tires cool, then adjust the tire
pressure of all four (4) tires to the
specifi ed pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label located on the driver's
door frame (door open).
Refer to Tires on page 9-9 .
3. Switch the ignition ON.
4. Press and hold the tire pressure
monitoring system set switch and
verify that the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light in the instrument
cluster fl ashes twice and a beep sound
is heard once.
CAUTION
If the system initialization is performed
without adjusting the tire pressure,
the system cannot detect the normal
tire pressure and it may not illuminate
the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light even if a tire pressure is
low, or it may illuminate the light even
if the pressures are normal.
Adjust the tire pressure on all four
tires and initialize the system when
the warning light is turned on. If the
warning light turns on for a reason
other than a fl at tire, the tire pressure
of all four tires may have decreased
naturally.
The system initialization will not be
performed if the switch is pressed while
the vehicle is being driven.
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6–43
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 9-9 )
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 9-9 .
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
9-9 ).
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-153 .
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7–26
If Trouble Arises
Emergency Towing
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle. Particularly
when towing an AWD vehicle, where
all the wheels are connected to the drive
train, proper transporting of the vehicle is
absolutely essential to avoid damaging the
drive system. Government and local laws
must be followed.
Wheel dollies
A towed 2WD vehicle should have its
drive wheels (front wheels) off the ground.
If excessive damage or other conditions
prevent this, use wheel dollies.
When towing a 2WD vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground, release the parking
brake.
Refer to Electric Parking Brake (EPB) on
page 4-67 .
A towed AWD vehicle must have all its
wheels off the ground.
WARNING
Always tow an AWD vehicle with all four
wheels off the ground:
Towing an AWD vehicle with either
the front or rear wheels on the ground
is dangerous as the drive train could
be damaged, or the vehicle could trail
away from the tow truck and cause
an accident. If the drive train has been
damaged, transport the vehicle on a
fl atbed truck.
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal damage
to the transaxle.
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