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 Inspecting the Coolant on
page 9-14.
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
9-18).
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 9-17).
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 5-84.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear
and accelerate slowly. Do not spin
the rear 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 rear wheels.
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.
Driving
Winter Driving
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Brake fluid reservoirReplenishing WindshieldWasher Fluid
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir.
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Using Washer Fluid Without
Anti-freeze Protection in Cold
Weather:
Operating your vehicle in temperatures
below 4 ℃ (40 °F) using washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection is
dangerous as it could cause impaired
windshield vision and result in an
accident. In cold weather, always use
washer fluid with anti-freeze
protection.
CAUTION
Do not use soapy water or engine
antifreeze in the reservoir as it could
cause paint discoloration or pump
damage.
NOTE
State or local regulations may restrict
the use of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), which are
commonly used as anti-freeze agents
in washer fluid. A washer fluid with
limited VOC content should be used
only if it provides adequate freeze
resistance for all regions and climates
in which the vehicle will be
operated.
Inspection and Servicing/Cleaning
Engine Compartment Inspection
9-17
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