Before Driving Your Mazda; Ascending a hill; Descending a hill- Page 118

4-18

Before Driving Your Mazda

Towing

Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

Passing

Plan well ahead to pass other vehicles, and provide plenty of room before changing lanes. 
Crosswinds from passing vehicles, especially larger ones, and the effects of rough roads 
will affect handling.
If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately, but 
gradually.
Steer straight ahead. If no extreme correction of steering or braking is made, the 
combination of less speed and firm steering will result in stability.

Backing up

Backing a vehicle with a trailer requires practice and patience. Back slowly, and have a 
helper outside at the rear of the trailer to reduce the risk of an accident.
To turn the trailer, place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the 
direction you want the trailer to go. Make only slight movements to prevent sharp or 
prolonged turning.

Ascending a hill

Shift into a lower gear to reduce the possibility of overloading or overheating the engine, or 
both.

Descending a hill

Shift into a lower gear and use engine compression as a braking effect.

Overheated engine

The extra weight of the trailer may strain the engine on hot days and on long or steep 
upgrades.
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioner, drive safely to 
the side of the road, park off the right-of-way and wait for engine to cool. Refer to 
Overheating (page 7-15).

Over Use of the Brake Pedal:
Holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently is dangerous as it could 
cause the brakes to overheat and lose power, resulting in loss of control and a serious 
accident. Use lower gears (1st and 2nd) to help reduce speed. Pull off the road and 
allow brakes to cool down whenever braking performance feels reduced. Always use 
lower gears to reduce speed.

WARNING

J16L_EA.book  Page 18  Friday, February 22, 2002  11:34 AM