Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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, transaxle 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 shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry 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 perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (page
lDo not use the parking brake in freezing weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift to P with an automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual
transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
lDo not apply excessive force to a window scraper when removing ice or frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
lNever use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and mirrors as it could result in the glass cracking.
lBraking performance can be adversely affected if snow or ice adheres to the brake equipment. 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.
