Rocking the Vehicle; Winter Driving; Before Driving- Page 121

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Before Driving

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

              Carry  emergency  gear,  including  tire 
chains, window scraper, fl ares, a small 
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of 
sand or salt.
  Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check 
the following:

y

 Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the 

radiator.

  Refer to Engine Coolant on page  6-29 .

y

 Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold 

reduces battery capacity.

y

 Use an engine oil appropriate for the 

lowest ambient temperatures that the 
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-27 ).

y

 Inspect the ignition system for damage 

and loose connections.

y

 Use washer fl uid made with antifreeze—

but do not use engine coolant antifreeze 
for washer fl uid (page  6-31 ).

   NOTE

y

  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.

y

  Remove snow before driving. Snow left 

on the windshield is dangerous as it 
could obstruct vision.

y

  Do not apply excessive force to a 

window scraper when removing ice or 
frozen snow on the mirror glass and 
windshield.