Winter Driving; Snow Tires; Before Driving- Page 128

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 Engine Coolant on page 6-25.



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 6-23).



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
6-27).

NOTE



(Without electric parking brake (EPB))

Do 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.



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.

▼

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/cm

2

, 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.
 

Except Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)

The vehicle is originally equipped with all
season radials designed to be used all year
around. In some extreme climates you
may find it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.

Mexico (18–inch wheel vehicle)

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.

Before Driving

Driving Tips

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