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 (Search).

• 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 (Search).

• 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 (Search).

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) (Search).

• 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.

 

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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.

• Remove snow before driving. Snow left on the windshield is dangerous as it could obstruct vision. In addition, if the vehicle is driven with snow accumulated on the hood, the active hood system may not activate normally in an emergency.

• Do not open or close the soft top when the temperature is 5 ℃ (41 ℉) or less. The material of the soft top could be damaged by freezing.

• 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.

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Do Not Use Tires Other Than The Specified Size. In Addition, Do Not Mix Different Types Of Tires.

Using tires with sizes other than the specified size or mixing different tire types is dangerous. It could compromise the vehicle's driveability, resulting in an accident. In addition, it could be in violation of the law.

Use the tire size indicated on the label applied to the door frame of the driver’s door while the door is open. Use only the same type tires on all four wheels.

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Check local regulations before using studded tires.

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Use snow tires on all 4 wheels

Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) while driving with snow tires. When installing winter tires, use tires of the specified size and adjust the air pressure of all the tires to the specified value. (Search).

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.