Break-In Period
No special break-in is necessary, but a few
precautions in the first 1,000 km (600
miles) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or
high engine rpm for extended periods of
time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Do not tow a trailer.
Saving Fuel and Protection of the Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines
how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use
these suggestions to help save fuel and
reduce CO
2.
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine
runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking).
Follow the maintenance schedule (page
6-4) and have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly inflated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Keep windows closed at high speeds.
Slow down when driving in crosswinds
and headwinds.
WA R N I N G
Never stop the engine when going down a
hill:
Stopping the engine when going down a
hill is dangerous. This causes the loss of
power steering and power brake control,
and may cause damage to the drivetrain.
Any loss of steering or braking control
could cause an accident.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Hazardous Driving
WA R N I N G
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to
downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while driving
on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could cause
the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of
vehicle control and an accident.
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvering of this vehicle are dangerous
as it could result in the increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle roll-over,
personal injury or death.
This vehicle has a higher center of gravity.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity
such as utility vehicles handle differently
than vehicles with a lower center of gravity.
Utility vehicles are not designed for
cornering at high speeds any more than
low profile sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.
In addition, utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-104.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow, use
sand, rock salt, cha ins, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front wheels.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda floor mats.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the floor mats are hooked on the
retention pins to prevent them from
bunching up under the foot pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured is
dangerous as it will interfere with the
accelerator and brake pedal operation,
which could result in an accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top of
the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the
other, on the driver's side is dangerous as
the retention pins can only keep one floor
mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the
foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use
always remove the original floor mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its g rommets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
WA R N I N G
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow anyone
to stand behind a wheel when pushing the
vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous. The
spinning tire could overheat and explode.
This could cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever/
selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, 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 6-27.
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 6-24).
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
6-29).
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 sno
w tires. Inflate 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 c old-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
Except Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary t o replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
Mexico
The vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, Mazda recommends that
you replace the tires originally equipped
on your vehicle with snow tires during the
winter months.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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WA R N I N G
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehi cle's handling could
be greatly affected and result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tires with steel wire reinforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-220).
▼ Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION
Chains may affect handling.
Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended limit, whichever is lower.
Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes,
and sharp turns.
Avoid locked-wheel braking.
Do not use chains on a temporary spare
tire; it may result in damage to the
vehicle and to the tire.
Do not use chains on roads that are free
of snow or ice. The tires and chains could
be damaged.
Chains may scratch or chip aluminum
wheels.
NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, the system
may not function correctly when using
tire chains.
Install the chains on the front tires only.
Do not use chains on the rear tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Installing the chains
1. Secure the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce sp eed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muff ler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
Ascending or descending a slope w ith a sharp transition angle
Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
This vehicle is equipped with l ow profile tires allowing class- leading performance and
handling. As a result , the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Trailer Towing (U.S.A. and Canada)
Your Mazda was designed and built primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
If you tow a trailer, follow thes e instructions because driver and passenger safety depends
on proper equipment and safe d riving habits. Towing a trailer w ill affect handling, braking,
durability, performance, and fuel economy.
Never overload your vehicle or trailer. Consult an Authorized M azda Dealer if you need
further details.
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer during the first 1,000 km ( 600 miles) of your new Mazda. If you do, you
may damage the engine, transaxle, differential, wheel bearings, and other power-train
components.
NOTE
When towing, use of gasoline with a octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.
▼ Weight Limits
TTW and GCWR
The total trailer weight (TTW), g
ross combination weight rating (GCWR), gross axle
weight rating (GAWR), trailer load, and trailer tongue load mus t be within the
prescribed limits.
The total trailer weight (TTW) is the sum of the weights of the trailer load (trailer
weight plus cargo), trailer hitch, 2 passengers, and vehicle load (baggage, food, camp
gear, etc.). Never allow the tota l trailer weight (TTW) to exceed specifications in the
Trailer Towing-Load Table.
The maximum GCWR is the combinat ion weight of the trailer and load plus the
towing vehicle (including trailer hitch, vehicle passengers, and load). It must not
exceed the specifications in the load table.
GAWR and GVWR
Do not exceed front and rear GAWR (gross axle weight rating) an d GVWR (gross vehicle
weight rating). If you do, vehicle handling, braking, and perfo rmance will be affected. These
values are also on the Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label post ed on the driver's door
frame.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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Passing
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes.
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and t he effects of rough roads will
affect handling.
If swaying occurs, fir mly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or b raking is made, the
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stab ility.
Backing up
Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience . Back slowly, and have a
helper outside at the rear of th e trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or
prolonged turning.
Ascending a hill
Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloadin g or overheating the engine, or
both.
Descending a hill
Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.
WA R N I N G
Always use lower gears to reduce speed:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could cause the
brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious accident. Use
lower gears to help reduce speed . Pull off the road and allow brakes to cool down whenever
braking performance feels reduced.
Overheated engine
The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot da ys and on long or steep
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the ai r conditioner, drive safely to
the side of the road, park off t he right-of-way and wait for en gine to cool. Refer to
Overheating on page 7-18.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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