2018 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 Owners Manual (in English)

(With limited-slip differential)
Don't use the following:
Tires not of the designated size
 Tires of different sizes or types at the same time
 Tires not sufficiently inflated
If these instructions aren't followed, the rotati on of the left and right wheels will be different
and will thus apply a consta nt load on the limited-slip
differential.
This will cause a malfunction.
▼ Replacing a Tire
WA R N I N G
Always use tires that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous. Reduced br
aking, steering, and traction could result in
an accident.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear ind icator will appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New tread Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the band crosses the entire tread.
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. 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.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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▼Safety Practices
The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage
and safety. So cultivate
good driving habits for your own benefit.
Observe posted speed limits and d rive at speeds that are safe for the existing weather
conditions
Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
Avoid potholes and objects on the road
Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking
CAUTION
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride distur bance while driving or you suspect your tire or
vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until you can
safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the ti re for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or
damaged, deflate it, remove the tire and rim and rep lace it with your spare tire. If you cannot
detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Vehicle Loading
WA R N I N G
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will affect the drive sy stem which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehic le, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its desig n rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading yo ur vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following term s for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification La bel and Tire and Load Information Label:
WA R N I N G
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious consequences
in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension system can cause
spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure , handling or steering problems, irregular tire
wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overl oading, brakes can fail completely, particularly
on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of the tire, its load
range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe th e vehicle's weight ratings from the vehicle's
Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Base Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not i nclude passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.

Vehicle Curb Weight is the weight of your new vehicle when you picked it up from y our
dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.

PAYLOAD
Payload is the combination weight of cargo and passengers that the veh icle is designed to
carry. The maximum payload for your vehicle can be found on the Tire and Load
Information label on the driver's door frame or door pillar. Lo ok for “THE COMBINATION
WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX kg or XXX
lbs” for your maximum payload. The payload listed on the tire l abel is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If any aftermarket or dealer installed
equipment has been installed on the vehicle, the weight of the equipment must be subtracted
from the payload listed on the t ire label in order to be accurate.

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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SAMPLE


CARGO
Cargo Weight includes all weight added to th e Base Curb Weight, including c argo and
optional equipment.

The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of veh icle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the “combination weight of occupants and cargo should never exc eed” value on the tire
label.

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Examples: Based on a single occupant weight of 68 kg (150 lbs), and a value of 385 kg (849
lbs) for the “combination weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed”:
The cargo weight limit with one occupant is 385 kg (849 lbs) － 68 kg (150 lbs) = 317 kg
(699 lbs)
The cargo weight limit with two occupants is 385 kg (849 lbs) － (68 × 2) kg ( (150 × 2)
lbs) = 249 kg (549 lbs)
If the weight of the occupant increases, the cargo weight limit decreases by that much.

GAW (Gross Axle Weight) is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear) -
including vehicle curb weight and all payload.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight that can be carried
by a single axle (front or rear). These numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on the driver's door frame or door pillar. The total load on
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.

GVW
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is the Vehicle Curb Weight cargo passengers.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully
loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment, passengers an d cargo). The GVWR is
shown on the Safety Compliance C ertification Label located on the driver's door
frame or door pillar. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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SAMPLE

WA R N I N G
Never Exceed Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and could
result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling, performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage , serious damage to the vehicle, or loss of
control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.

GCW
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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GCW (Gross Combination Weight) is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW).

GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can handle without risking
damage. The GCW must never exceed the GCWR.

WA R N I N G
Never Exceed GVWR or GAWR Specifications:
Exceeding the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label is dangerous. Exceeding
any vehicle rating limitation could result in a serious accident, injury, or damage to the
vehicle.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the originals because
they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Never exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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