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Letter RatingSpeed Rating
V1 49 m ph
W 168
* mph
Y 186
* mph
* For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For
tires with a maximum speed capab ility over 186 mph, tire manufacturers always use the letters ZR.
MS or M/S: Mud and Snow
AT: All Terrain.
AS: All Season. The “M
S” or “M/S” indicates that the t ire has some functional use in mud
and snow.
U.S. DOT Tire Identi fication Number (TIN)
This begins with the letters “DOT” which indicates the tire mee ts all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was man ufactured, and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured. For example, the numbers
457 means the 45st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go to f our digits. For example,
the number 2102 means the 21th week of 2002. The other numbers are marketing codes
used at the manufacturer's discre tion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire
defect requires a recall.
Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates th e number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. In
general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the tire materials, which incl ude steel, nylon, polyester,
and other.
Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the
tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation 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
Tr e a d w e a r : The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled c onditions on a specified governme nt 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.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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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 measure d under controlled conditions
on specified 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, represent ing the tire's
resistance to the generation of h eat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true sn ow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or p laced on all four wheels. Make
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and constru ction 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:
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.
TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/
DAMAGE-FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN
VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR
DAMAGE.
▼ Information on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Location of the Tire Label (Placard)
You will find the tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and other important
information on the driver's side B-pillar or on the edge of the driver's door frame.
SAMPLE
▼ Recommended Tire Inflation Pressure
On the tire label you will find
the recommended tire inflation pressure in both kPa and psi
for the tires installed as origin al equipment on the vehicle. It is very important that the
inflation pressure of the tires on your vehicle is maintained a t the recommended pressure.
You should check the tire pressure regularly to insure that the proper inflation pressure is
maintained.
Refer to Tires on page 9-9.
NOTE
Tire pressures listed on the vehicle placard or tire information label indicate the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure, measured when the tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least 3 hours. As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up,
increasing the tire pressure.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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WA R N I N G
Always check the tire inflation pressures on a regular basis according to the recommended
tire inflation pressure on the tire label and in conjunction with the information in this owner's
manual:
Driving your vehicle with under-inflated tires is dangerous.
Under-inflation is the most common cause of failures in any kind of tire and may result in
severe cracking, tread separation or “blowout”, with unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury. Under-inflation incr eases sidewall flexing and rolling resistance,
resulting in heat buildup and internal damage to the tire. It results in unnecessary tire stress,
irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A ti re can lose up to half of its air pressure and
not appear to be flat!
It is impossible to determine whether or not tires are properly inflated just by looking at them.
▼Checking Tire Pressure
1. When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cold
―meaning they are not
hot from driving even a mile.
2. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
3. Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
4. Add air to achieve recommended air pressure.
5. If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
6. Replace the valve cap.
7. Repeat with each tire, including the spare.
NOTE
Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure.
8. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that
could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air leak.
9. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, b ulges, cracks or other
irregularities.
▼ Glossary of Terms
Tire Placard:
A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pr essure, and the
maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN): A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and date of manufacture.
Inflation Pressure: A measure of the amo unt of air in a tire.
kPa: Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi: Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the fr ont door.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Tire Maintenance
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear abnormally. Here are
some important maintenance points:
▼ Tire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire pressure monthl
y (including the spare) when th e tires are cold. Maintain
recommended pressures for the best ride, top handling, and mini mum tire wear. Use the
pressures specified on the vehicle tire information placard or tire label for optimum service.
▼Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires every 12,000 km (7,500
miles) at the latest or sooner
if irregular wear develops. Mazda recommends to rotate every 8, 000 km (5,000 miles) to
help increase tire life and distribute wear more evenly.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation. Forward
Inspect the tires for
uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by one or a
combination of the following:
Incorrect tire pressure
Improper wheel alignment
Out-of-balance wheel
Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to specification (pa ge 9-9) and inspect the lug nuts
for tightness.
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.
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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▼Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Declaration of Conformity
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Vehicle InformationLabels
▼Vehicle Identification Number
The vehicle identification number legally
identifies your vehicle. The number is on a
plate attached to the cowl panel located on
the left corner of the dashboard. This plate
can easily be seen through the windshield.
▼Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
Label (U.S.A. and Canada)
▼ Chassis Number
Open the cover shown in the figure to
check the chassis number.
▼Vehicle Emission Control
Information Label (U.S.A. and
Canada)
▼Tire Pressure Label
Specifications
Identification Numbers
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