Before Driving Your Mazda; Driving Tips; Hazardous Driving- Page 126

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Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

Form No. 8S06-EA-03H

When driving on ice or in water, snow, 
mud, sand, or similar hazard:

•

Be cautious and allow extra distance 
for braking.

•

Avoid sudden braking and quick 
steering.

•

If your vehicle is not equipped with 
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a 
light up-down motion. Don’t hold the 
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, 
don’t pump the brakes. Continue to 
press down on the brake pedal.

•

If you get stuck, select a lower gear and 
accelerate slowly. Don’t spin the front 
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 front wheels.

Hazardous Driving

Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while 
driving on slippery surfaces is 
dangerous. The sudden change in tire 
speed could cause the tires to skid. 
This could lead to loss of vehicle 
control and an accident. If it is 
necessary to downshift on slippery 
surfaces, be very careful.

WARNING

NOTE

Use snow chains only on the front 
wheels.

J16R_8S06-EA-03H_Edition1.book  Page 8  Wednesday, July 9, 2003  4:19 PM