Break-In Period
▼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
▼ 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
and have an Authorized Mazda
Dealer perform inspections and
servicing.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(U.S.A. and Puerto Rico) on page
6-4.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Canada) on page 6-6.
Refer to Scheduled Maintenance
(Mexico) on page 6-8.
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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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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 4-78.
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.
Floor Mat
▼Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine
Mazda
floor mats.
WARNING
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 grommets are
inserted over the pointed end of the
retention posts.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Rocking the Vehicle
▼Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
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 , transmission 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 selector lever from D to R position.
Winter Driving
▼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
6-19.
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
6-16).
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 6-21).
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.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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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 4 wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75
mph) while driving with snow 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 cold-tire pressure shown on
the tires.
The vehicle is orig inally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used
all year around. In some extreme
climates you may find it necessary to
replace them with snow tires during
the winter months to further improve
traction on snow and ice covered
roads.
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 vehicle'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 reinforcement in
the sidewalls (page 4-203).
▼ 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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Driving In Flooded Area
▼Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
Dry off brakes that have become wet
by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the
brake performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been
affected.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or engine
damage or stalling from water
absorption. If the vehicle has been
immersed in water, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Overloading
▼Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your
vehicle:
The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of the vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident or
vehicle damage. You can estimate the
weight of the load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle.
Before Driving
Driving Tips
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Trailer Towing (U.S.A. and Canada)
▼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 these instructions because driver and passenger safety
depends on proper equipment and safe driving habits. Towing a trailer will
affect
handling, braking , durability, performance, and fuel economy.
Never overload your vehicle or trailer. Co nsult an Authorized Mazda 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, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, and
other power-train components.
NOTE
When towing, use of gasoline with a octane rating of 91 or higher is
recommended.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) towing
mode* which enhances vehicle stab ility when towing a trailer.
Refer to Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) (AWD) on page 4-83.
When towing a trailer, do not use the following safety systems (If a Mazda genuine
trailer hitch is used, these systems are automatically turned off):
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)Smart Brake Support [Rearward detection function]Smart Brake Support [Rear crossing]Parking Sensor System (Rear)Blind Spot Assist of Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
▼ We igh t L imits
TTW and GCWR
The total trailer weight (TTW), gross comb
ination weight rating (GCWR), gross axle
weight rating (GAWR), trailer load, and trailer tongue load must 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 total trailer weight (TTW) to exceed
specifications in the Trailer Towing-Load Table.
The maximum GCWR is the combination weight of the trailer and load plus the
towing vehicle (including trailer hitch, ve hicle passengers, and load). It must not
exceed the specifications in the load table.
Before Driving
Towing
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▼Safety Chains
Safety chains must be used as a precautionary measure should the trailer become
unintentionally unhitched. They should cross under 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.
WARNING
Make sure the safety chain is securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle
prior to departure:
Towing a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and
the vehicle is dangerous. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, the
trailer could wander into another lane and cause a collision.
▼ Tra i l e r L i g h t s
Trailer lights must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations. Equip your
trailer as required before towing it day or night.
CAUTION
Do not connect a trailer lighting system dire
ctly to the lighting system of your Mazda.
This may damage your vehicle's electrical system and lighting systems. Have a
recreational vehicle dealer or trailer rental agency connect the system, and inspect
the brake lights and turn signals yourself before each trip.
▼ Tra i l e r B ra ke s
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1,000 lb), trailer brakes are required. If
your trailer has brakes, make sure they comply with all federal, state, and local
regulations.
WARNING
Do not connect a hydraulic trailer-brake system to your vehicle's brake system:
Connecting a hydraulic trailer-brake system directly to the vehicle brake system is
dangerous and will result in inadequate braking and possible injury.
Before Driving
Towing
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▼Trailer Towing Tips
Verify that your Mazda maintains a near-normal attitude when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is connected. Do not drive if it has an abnormal front-up or
front-down position. Inspect for incorrec
t tongue load, worn suspension parts,
and trailer overloading.
Make sure the trailer is properly loaded and the cargo is secure to prevent it from
shifting.
Make sure the mirrors conform to all govern ment regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed,
and improper trailer loading.
Before driving
Have your cooling and braking system checked by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.Before starting out, inspect the operation of all vehicle and trailer lights and all
vehicle-to-trailer connections. Stop and re-inspect all lights and connections after
driving a short distance.
Driving
Your Mazda will handle differently with a trailer in tow, so practice turning,
backing, and stopping in a traffic-free area.
Take time to get accustomed to the extra weight and length.Allow more room between your vehicle and the one in front because braking
distance increases with a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at
least one vehicle and trailer length between your Mazda and the vehicle ahead.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.Avoid sudden braking. It may cause loss of control and result in jackknifing ,
especially so on wet or slippery roads.
Shift the selector lever to the D position when towing a trailer in hilly terrain or
when heavily loaded.
The D position will allow operating the vehicle without frequent shifting.
Lane changes and turning
Avoid quick lane changes, su dden turns, and tight turns. Slow down before turning
to avoid the need of sudden braking.
A turning trailer will make a tighter arc than the tow vehicle. Compensate with turns
that are larger than normal.
Pa s s i n g
Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing
lanes. Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of
rough roads will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but
gradually.
Before Driving
To w i n g
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