2017 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Traction

6–43
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
*Some models.
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.
(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 4-108 .
N O T E
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. 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 8-24 .

Replacing 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 aff ected, leading to loss of
control and an accident.

CAUTION
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely
aff ect:




¾ Tire fi t



¾ Wheel and bearing life



¾ Ground clearance



¾ Snow-chain clearance



¾ Speedometer calibration



¾ Headlight aim



¾ Bumper height



¾ Tire Pressure Monitoring System *
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8–22
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National Highway
Traf¿ c Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and temperature
performance.
Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci¿ ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.

The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart signi¿ cantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on speci¿ ed
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests
and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a speci¿ ed indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.

Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
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8–23
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
WARNING
Keep your vehicle's tires properly infl ated and not overloaded:
Driving with improperly infl ated or overloaded tires is dangerous. Excessive speed,
underinfl ation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly infl ated and not overloaded.


These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires over the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.

The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicles may vary
with respect to grade.

ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND TO
ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A

UTQGS MARK (example)

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8–24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Tire Labeling
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of
all tires. This information identi¿ es and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire
and also provides a tire identi¿ cation number for safety standard certi¿ cation and in case of
a recall.
Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the sample below.


1. TIN: U.S. DOT tire identi¿ cation number
2. Passenger car tire
3. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
4. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
5. Radial
6. Run-À at tire
7. Rim diameter code
8. Load index & speed symbol
9. Severe snow conditions
10. Tire ply composition and materials used
11. Max. load rating
12. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
13. Max. permissible inÀ ation pressure
14. SAFETY WARNING

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8–27
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Maximum Permissible InÀ ation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear: The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a speci¿ ed government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on speci¿ ed government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a speci¿ ed indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. Make
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other tires
on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
 


y EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-MATCH
TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO SEAT
BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT TIRES.
 


y TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.

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8–34
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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 weakened if
rotated from side to side.

(With limited-slip diff erential)
Don't use the following:
 


¾ Tires not of the designated size



¾ Tires of diff erent sizes or types at the same time



¾ Tires not suffi ciently infl ated
If these instructions aren't followed, the rotation of the left and right wheels will be
diff erent and will thus apply a constant load on the limited-slip diff erential.
This will cause a malfunction.

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.

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.
(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 4-108 .
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10–7
Storage Compartments ...................... 5-138
Back trim storage box ................. 5-139
Console box ................................. 5-138
Seat side box ............................... 5-138
Sunvisors ........................................... 5-132
T
Tachometer .......................................... 4-13
Theft-Deterrent System ....................... 3-49
Tiedown
Hook .............................................. 7-31
Tire InÀ ation Pressure Warning Beep ... 7-51
Tire Information .................................. 8-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..... 4-105
Tires .................................................... 6-41
Flat tire ............................................ 7-3
Replacing a tire ............................. 6-43
Replacing a wheel ......................... 6-43
Snow tires ...................................... 3-54
Speci¿ cations .................................. 9-8
Tire chains ..................................... 3-54
Tire inÀ ation pressure .................... 6-41
Tire rotation ................................... 6-42
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ....................................... 8-22
Towing
Recreational towing ...................... 3-57
Trailer towing ................................ 3-57
Towing Description ............................. 7-30
Traction Control System (TCS) .......... 4-66
TCS/DSC indicator light ............... 4-66
Transmitter ............................................ 3-4
Trip Computer ..................................... 4-16
Trip Meter .................................. 4-12, 4-20 Trouble
Battery runs out ............................. 7-23
Emergency starting ........................ 7-26
Emergency towing ........................ 7-30
Flat tire ............................................ 7-3
Overheating ................................... 7-27
Parking in an emergency ................. 7-2
When fuel-¿ ller lid cannot be
opened ........................................... 7-29
When the roof cannot be closed .... 7-57

When trunk lid cannot be opened ... 7-52
Trunk Lid ............................................ 3-18
Inside trunk release lever .............. 3-20

When trunk lid cannot be opened ... 7-52
Turn Signals ........................................ 4-50
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 5-132
Vehicle Information Labels ................... 9-2
Index
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