WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires (snow,
radial, or non-radial) on all 4 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
The tire pressure monitoring system may
not function correctly when using tires
with steel wire re inforcement in the
sidewalls (page 4-274).
▼ 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
The tire pressure monitoring 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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WA R N I N G
Always make sure the trailer hitch is securely attached before departure:
An unsecured trailer hitch is dangerous as it causes greater trailer sway from crosswinds,
rough roads or other causes, resulting in loss of control and a serious accident.
Examine all trailer-hitch mounting bolts regularly and tighten any that are loose. If the hitch
is removed, seal any open mounting holes to prevent exhaust, dust, water, dirt and other
foreign elements from filtering in, possibly endangering personal safety and damaging your
vehicle.
Do not install a hitch that stiffens the bumper as it will reduce the bumper's performance.
Make sure there are no exhaust gas leaks into the passenger compartment if any mounting
bolts are connected to the body:
Modifying your vehicle exhaust system is dang erous. Exhaust gas entering the vehicle could
cause loss of consciousness or even death.
When mounting the trailer hitch, make no modifications to the vehicle exhaust system.
CAUTION
Make all hitch adjustments with actual loads. Do not load and unload vehicle while
adjusting hitch. This action wi ll change the vehicle height.
Do not use an axle-mounted hitch. This may damage the axle and related parts.
▼ Tires
When towing a trailer, make sure all tires
are inflated to the recommended cold-tire
pressure, as indicated on the tire pressure chart on the driver's door frame. Trailer tire size,
load rating, and inflation pr essures should conform to ti re manufacturer specifications.
WA R N I N G
Never use the temporary spare tire when towing:
Using the temporary spare tire on your vehicle wh en towing a trailer is dangerous as it could
result in tire failure, loss of control, and injury to vehicle occupants.
▼ Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross un
der the trailer tongue and attach to the hitch.
Leave enough slack to allow full turns. Consult literature published by your trailer or hitch
manufacturer for more details.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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Dynamic Stability Control(DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such as
ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4- 105) and TCS (page
4-106).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer and
Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-25.
WA R N I N G
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
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.
CAUTION
The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
Use tires of the correct size
specified for
your Mazda on all 4 wheels.
Use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all 4
wheels.
Do not mix worn tires.
The DSC may not operate correctly when
tire chains are used or a temporary spare
tire is installed because the tire diameter
changes.
▼ 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.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
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Off-Road Traction Assist*
When the vehicle tires become embedded
in mud, sand, or deep snow, the Off-Road
Traction Assist functions to prevent
drive-wheel spinning and to assist in
freeing tires that are stuck.
Do not drive over rough rocky roads and
river beds.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Off-Road
Traction Assist.
The Off-Road Traction Assist has
limitations. Always drive the vehicle safely
according to the road conditions. Do not
drive the vehicle recklessly, otherwise it
may result in an accident. In addition, do
not drive the vehicle under the following
conditions while the Off-Road Traction
Assist is operating. Otherwise, it could
negatively affect the drivetrain parts which
could result in an accident.
Vehicle is driven on paved roads.
Temporary spare tire or tires of a
different specified size are used.
Tire chains are used.
CAUTION
The Off-Road Traction Assist is a function
to assist in freeing tires that are stuck.
When it is not necessary to use this
function, avoid driving the vehicle
continuously with the Off-Road Traction
Assist on.
(Vehicle equipped with Type A/ B
instrument cluster)
If the vehicle is driven continuously with
the Off-Road Traction Assist on, the AWD
warning indication may be displayed.
(Vehicle equipped with Type C instrument
cluster)
If the vehicle is driven continuously with
the Off-Road Traction Assist on, the AWD
warning light may flash.
Refer to If a Warning Light Turns On or
Flashes on page 7-22.
NOTE
The vehicle may vibrate or you might hear
an operation sound while the Off-Road
Traction Assist is operating or is
operational, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
▼ Off-Road Traction Assist Indicator
Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
indicator light turns on and then turns
off after a few seconds.
When pressing the Off-Road Traction
Assist switch to operate the Off-Road
Traction Assist, the indicator light turns
on.
A problem in the system might be
indicated under the following
conditions. Have your vehicle inspected
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The indicator light does not turn on
when the ignition is switched ON or it
remains on.
The indicator li
ght turns on even
though the Off-Road Traction Assist
was not operated.
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC/Off-Road Traction Assist
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Mazda intelligent DriveSelect (Mi-Drive)
▼Mazda intelligent Drive Select
(Mi-Drive)
Mi-drive is a system
that switches the
drive modes depending on the driving
conditions, road conditions and vehicle
conditions.
The mode can be switched from normal to
sport or off-road.
Sport mode
*
This mode enhances vehicle
responsiveness when the accelerator pedal
is depressed.
This provides additional quick
acceleration which may be needed to
safely make maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or
passing other vehicles.
Off-road mode
*
This mode helps prevent drive-wheel
spinning during off-road driving and
improves driv ing performance.
And this mode also assists in freeing tires
that are stuck.
Use this mode to drive the vehicle on
slippery roads such as muddy, sandy, or
deep-snowy roads.
Warnings and cautions when using
Mi-Drive
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Mi-Drive
system.
Vehicle stability is limited even when
Mi-drive is activated.
Always drive the vehicle safely. Do not
drive the vehicle recklessly, otherwise it
may result in an accident.
Do not drive the vehicle on paved roads
while the Off-road mode is operating.
Otherwise, it could negatively affect the
drivetrain parts which could result in an
accident.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving
on slippery roads such as wet or
snow-covered roads. It may cause tire
slipping.
Heed the following cautions so that the
system can operate normally.
Always use tires of the specified size,
same manufacturer, brand, and
pattern (tread pattern) for the front
and rear wheels.
Do not use tires with significantly
different wear patterns on the same
vehicle.
Drive carefully when using tire chains.
Because the diameter of the tires differs,
the system may not operate normally.
If the vehicle is driven continuously with
the Off-road mode on, the AWD warning
light may
flash.
When Driving
Mazda intelligent Driv e Select (Mi-Drive)
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i-ACTIV AWD Operation*
AWD provides excellent drivability on
snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand
and mud, as well as on steep slopes and
other slippery surfaces.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer and
Have Vehicle Inspected on page 7-25.
WA R N I N G
Never spin a wheel that is off the ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground as a
result of the vehicle being stuck or in a
ditch is dangerous. The drive assembly
could be seriously damaged which could
lead to an accident or could even lead to
overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.
▼ AWD Driving
WA R N I N G
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and
abrupt maneuvers when driving this
vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvering of this
vehicle is 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 and AWD vehicles handle
differently than vehicles with a lower center
of gravity.
Utility and AWD 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.
Drive carefully when the vehicle is loaded
by lowering vehicle speed and applying the
brakes earlier:
Abrupt maneuvering and sudden braking
when driving a loaded vehicle is dangerous
as the driving behavior of a vehicle with a
high center of gravity is different when it is
loaded compared to when it is not, and
could result in the loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
▼ Tires and Tire Chains
The condition of the tires plays a large role
in the performance of the vehicle.
Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the
drive assembly, please note the following:
Tires
When replacing tires, always replace all
front and rear tires at the same time.
All tires must be of the same size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern.
Pay particular attention when equipping
snow or other types of winter tires.
Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal
tires.
Inspect tire inflation pressures at the
specified periods adju
st to the specified
pressures.
NOTE
Check the tire inflation pressure label
attached to driver's door frame for the
correct tire inflation pressure.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
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Make sure to equip the vehicle with
genuine tires of the specified size, on all
wheels. With AWD, the system is
calibrated for all 4 wheels being of the
same dimensions.
Tire chains
Install tire chains to the front tires.
Do not use tire chains on the rear
wheels.
Do not drive the vehicle faster than 30
km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains
installed.
Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains
on road conditions other than snow or
ice.
▼ To w i n g
If the vehicle requires towing, have it
towed with all 4 wheels
completely off the
ground.
Refer to Towing Description on page
7-19.
When Driving
i-ACTIV AWD
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When entering and exiting interchanges, servic e areas, and parking areas of expressways (If
you exit an expressway while headway control is in use, the vehicle ahead will no longer be
tracked and your vehicle may a ccelerate to the set speed).
Slippery roads such as icy or snow-covered roads and unpaved roads (Tires could spin
causing you to lose vehicle control, or the stop hold control may not operate.)
Long, descending slopes (to maintain distance between vehicles, the system automatically
and continuously applies the brakes which could result in the loss of brake power.)
Two-wheeled vehicles such as mo torcycles or bicycles are ahead.
Slopes with a steep gradient (The vehicle ahea d may not be detected correctly, your vehicle
may slip while stopped by the stop hold control, or it may accelerate suddenly after it starts
moving.)
Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
Tires of a
different
specified size are used, such as a temporary spare tire.
Tires with insufficient tread are used.
The tire pressures are not adjusted to the
specified pressure.
The vehicle is being used to tow a camper or boat trailer.
Tire chains are used.
The vehicle is driven on roads with lane lines other than white (yellow) lines, such as an
expressway.
Do not get out of the vehicle while the stop hold control is operating.
Getting out of the vehicle while the stop hold co ntrol is operating is dangerous as the vehicle
may move unexpectedly and result in an accident . Before getting out of the vehicle, switch the
TJA off, apply the parking brake, and then sh ift the selector lever to the P position.
CAUTION
Heed the following cautions so th at the TJA can operate normally.
Turn the system off when the vehicle is running on a chassis roller.
Do not modify the vehicle's suspensions.
Always use wheels of the specified size for th e front and rear wheels. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer for tire replacement.
NOTE
The headway control does not detect the following as physical objects.
Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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