Owner Maintenance
Closing the Hood
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Check under the hood area to make certain all filler caps are in place and all loose items (e.g. tools, oil containers, etc.) have been removed.
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Lift the hood, grasp the padded area on the support rod, and secure the support rod in the clip. Verify that the support rod is secured in the clip before closing the hood.
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Lower the hood slowly to a height of about 20 cm (7.9 in) above its closed position and then let it drop.
When closing the hood, do not push it excessively such as by applying your weight. Otherwise, the hood could be deformed.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety, and better fuel economy, always maintain recommended tire inflation pressures and stay within the recommended load limits and weight distribution.
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different types of tires is dangerous. It could cause poor handling and poor braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the temporary spare tire, use only the same type tires (radial, bias-belted, bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is specified for the vehicle (Search) is dangerous. It could seriously affect ride, handling, ground clearance, tire clearance, and speedometer calibration. This could cause you to have an accident. Use only tires that are the correct size specified for the vehicle.
Tire Inflation Pressure
Always inflate the tires to the correct pressure:
Overinflation or underinflation of tires is dangerous. Adverse handling or unexpected tire failure could result in a serious accident.
Refer to Tires (Search).
Use only a Mazda-genuine tire valve cap:
Use of a non-genuine part is dangerous as the correct tire air pressure cannot be maintained if the tire valve becomes damaged. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the tire air pressure will decrease which could result in a serious accident. Do not use any part for the tire valve cap that is not a Mazda-genuine part.
Inspect all tire pressures monthly (including the spare) when the tires are cold. Maintain recommended pressures for the best ride, handling, and minimum tire wear.
Refer to the specification charts (Search).
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure, initialization of the tire pressure monitoring system is necessary to make the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization (Search).
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Always check tire pressure when tires are cold.
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Warm tires normally exceed recommended pressures. Do not release air from warm tires to adjust the pressure.
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Underinflation can cause reduced fuel economy, uneven and accelerated tire wear, and poor sealing of the tire bead, which will deform the wheel and cause separation of tire from rim.
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Overinflation can produce a harsh ride, uneven and accelerated tire wear, and a greater possibility of damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the correct levels. If one frequently needs inflating, have it inspected.
Tire Rotation
Replacing a Tire
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.
You should replace the tire before the band crosses the entire tread.
(With tire pressure monitoring system)
After adjusting the tire pressure, initialization of the tire pressure monitoring system is necessary to make the system operate normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization (Search).
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used on the road. It is recommended that tires generally be replaced when they are 6 years or older. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the aging process. You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires due to the aging of the spare tire. The period in which the tire was manufactured (both week and year) is indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling (Search).
Temporary Spare Tire
Inspect the temporary spare tire at least monthly to make sure it is properly inflated and stored.
The temporary spare tire condition gradually deteriorates even if it has not been used.
The temporary spare tire is easier to handle because of its construction which is lighter and smaller than a conventional tire. This tire should be used only for an emergency and only for a short distance.
Use the temporary spare tire only until the conventional tire is repaired, which should be as soon as possible.
Refer to Tires (Search).
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Do not use your temporary spare tire rim with a snow tire or a conventional tire. Neither will properly fit and could damage both tire and rim.
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The temporary spare tire has a tread life of less than 5,000 km (3,000 miles). The tread life may be shorter depending on driving conditions.
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The temporary spare tire is for limited use, however, if the tread wear solid-band indicator appears, replace the tire with the same type of temporary spare (Search).
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used on the road. It is recommended that tires generally be replaced when they are 6 years or older. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the aging process. You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires due to the aging of the spare tire. The period in which the tire was manufactured (both week and year) is indicated by a 4-digit number.
Refer to Tire Labeling (Search).
Replacing a Wheel
Always use wheels of the correct size on your vehicle:
Using a wrong-sized wheel is dangerous. Braking and handling could be affected, leading to loss of control and an accident.
A wrong-sized wheel may adversely affect:
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Tire fit
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Wheel and bearing life
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Ground clearance
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Snow-chain clearance
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Speedometer calibration
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Headlight aim
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Bumper height
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Some Models)
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When replacing a wheel, make sure the new one is the same as the original factory wheel in diameter, rim width, and offset (inset/outset).
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For details, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Proper tire balancing provides the best riding comfort and helps reduce tread wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause vibration and uneven wear, such as cupping and flat spots.
