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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:
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Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant (Search).
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Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold reduces battery capacity.
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Use an engine oil appropriate for the lowest ambient temperatures that the vehicle will be driven in (Search).
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Inspect the ignition system for damage and loose connections.
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Use washer fluid made with antifreeze―but do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (Search).
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Do not use the parking brake in freezing weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift to P with an automatic transmission and to 1 or R with a manual transmission. Block the rear wheels.
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Remove snow before driving. Snow left on the windshield is dangerous as it could obstruct vision.
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Do not open or close the soft top when the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less. The material of the soft top could be damaged by freezing.
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Do not apply excessive force to a window scraper when removing ice or frozen snow on the mirror glass and windshield.
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Never use warm or hot water for removing snow or ice from windows and mirrors as it could result in the glass cracking.
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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 four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 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 originally equipped with summer tires designed for optimum traction on wet and dry roads. If your vehicle is to be used on snow and ice covered roads, Mazda recommends that you replace the tires originally equipped on your vehicle with snow tires during the winter months.
Use only the same size and type tires (snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:
Using tires different in size or type is dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could be greatly affected and result in an accident.
Check local regulations before using studded tires.
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire chains.
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Chains may affect handling.
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Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain manufacturer's recommended limit, whichever is lower.
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Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, and sharp turns.
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Avoid locked-wheel braking.
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Do not use chains on roads that are free of snow or ice. The tires and chains could be damaged.
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Chains may scratch or chip aluminum wheels.
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If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system, the system may not function correctly when using tire chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front tires.
Please consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Installing the chains
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Secure the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
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Retighten the chains after driving 1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
