Rocking the Vehicle; Winter Driving; Before Driving- Page 99

3–45

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, transmission 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, 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 

6-29.



 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 6-27).



 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 

6-31).

NOTE



  Do not use the parking brake in freezing 

weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift 

to P with an automatic transmission and 

to 1 or R with a manual transmission. 

Block the rear wheels.



  Remove snow before driving. Snow left 

on the windshield is dangerous as it 

could obstruct vision.



  Do not open or close the soft top when 

the temperature is 5 °C (41 °F) or less. 

The material of the soft top could be 

damaged by freezing.



  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.

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