2021 MAZDA MAZDA traction control

WARNING
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.
Hazardous Driving
▼Hazardous Driving
WARNING
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.
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 4-77.
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,
chains, 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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Tra c t i o n C o n t r o l Sy s te m(TCS)
▼Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.

This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to TCS/DSC Indication/
Indicator Light (Turns on) on page
7-32.
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving , excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow:
Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads is
dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-80).
▼
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light
flashes.

If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC or
the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
In addition to the indicator light flashing , a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating
properly.
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
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Also, inspect them 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 on page 9-10 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 reduced if rotated from side to
side.
▼ 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.
1. New tread
2. Worn tread
3. Tread wear indicator

You should replace the tire before the
band crosses the entire tread.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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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
Tra ffi c Safety
Administration for grading tires by
tread wear, traction, and temperature
performance.
▼ Trea d Wea r
The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified 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
significantly 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
specified 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 specified 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.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
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Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature
Grades
Tr ea d w ea r : The tread wear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified
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
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,
representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat 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 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:
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.
1. Temporary tires
2. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
3. Ratio of height to width (aspect
ratio)
4. Diagonal
5. Rim diameter code
6. Load index & speed symbol

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Index
Horn.................................... 4-59
Storage Compartments.............. 5-45 Center console..................... 5-46
Glove compartment..............5-46
Overhead console................ 5-46
Storage pocket..................... 5-46
Storage Pocket.......................... 5-46
Sunshade.................................. 3-39
Sunvisors.................................. 5-38
T
Theft-Deterrent System.............. 3-42
Three-flash Turn Signal...............4-52
Tiedown Hook.......................... 7-24
Tires......................................... 6-33 Replacing a tire.................... 6-35
Replacing a wheel................ 6-37
Snow tires............................ 3-47
Specifications....................... 9-10
Temporary spare tire............. 6-36
Tire chains............................3-48
Tire inflation pressure............6-34
Tire rotation......................... 6-34
Uniform tire quality grading
system (UTQGS)................... 8-21
Tire Information Location of the tire label
(placard).............................. 8-27
Steps for determining the correct
load limit............................. 8-34
Tire labeling......................... 8-23
Tire maintenance.................. 8-29
Vehicle loading.....................8-31
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.................................... 4-219
Touch Sensor Inoperable Warning
Beep (With the advanced keyless
function)...................................7-44
To w i n g Recreational towing.............. 3-51
Trailer towing....................... 3-51
Towing Description................... 7-23
Traction Control System (TCS).... 4-78 TCS/DSC indicator light........4-78
Tra ffi c Jam Assist (TJA).............. 4-139
Close proximity warning...... 4-145
Display indication............... 4-143
Setting the system...............4-146
Shift-up/shift-down request
display............................... 4-153
Stop hold control............... 4-153
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)...................................... 4-101
Trouble Battery runs out.................... 7-17
Emergency starting................7-20
Flat tire.................................. 7-7
Overheating......................... 7-21
Parking in an emergency......... 7-2
When liftgate/trunk lid cannot be
opened................................ 7-48
Trunk Lid...................................3-19 Inside trunk release lever....... 3-24
When liftgate/trunk lid cannot be
opened................................ 7-48
Trunk Light................................ 5-39
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.... 4-52
Turn Signals.............................. 4-52
U
Ultrasonic Sensor.................... 4-212
V
Vehicle Information Labels Chassis number...................... 9-2
Engine number....................... 9-3
Motor vehicle safety standard
label...................................... 9-2
Tire pressure label.................. 9-2
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