Get Before Driving Your Mazda Guide for Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

Before Driving Your Mazda

4

Important information about driving your Mazda.

Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2

Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2

Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-3

Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-4

Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-5

Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-5

After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-5

Driving Tips................................................................................... 4-6

Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-6

Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-6

Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-7

Floor Mat .................................................................................. 4-8

Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8

Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9

Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-10

Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11

Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-12

Towing ......................................................................................... 4-13

Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-13

4-1

Before Driving Your Mazda

Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions

Fuel Requirements

Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,

which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.

Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.

Fuel

Octane Rating^*(Anti-knock index)

Premium unleaded fuel

91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)

* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.

You may use a regular unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON)

but this will slightly reduce performance, such as reduced engine output, and engine

knocking.

Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system

to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.

CAUTION

Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.

Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead

to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.

Ø Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol

by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this

recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of

any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.

Ø Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those

specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system.

Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally

referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your

vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as

ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name “Gasohol”.

Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not

be covered by the Mazda warranty.

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Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.

Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.

Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.

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4-2

Before Driving Your Mazda

Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions

Emission Control System

Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of

this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions

requirements.

WARNING

Never park over or near anything flammable:

Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with

the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and

could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.

CAUTION

Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst

inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will

damage the converter and cause poor performance.

Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.

Ø Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.

Ø Do not coast with the ignition switch turned off.

Ø Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.

Ø Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.

Ø Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments

must be made by a qualified technician.

Ø Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.

NOTE

Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before

the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification

made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.

NOTE

While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard below the trunk,

however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking device and it

operates while the engine is off.

4-3

Before Driving Your Mazda

Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions

Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)

WARNING

Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:

Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is

colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness

and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open

and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.

Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area:

Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust

gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss

of consciousness or even death could occur.

Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when

idling the engine:

Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed

and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which

contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or

even death could occur.

Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,

before starting the engine:

Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The

exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.

Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of

consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.

4-4

Before Driving Your Mazda

Before Starting the Engine

Before Getting In

After Getting In

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Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,

and outside lights are clean.

Inspect inflation pressures and

condition of tires.

Look under the vehicle for any sign of

fluid leaks.

Are all doors closed and locked?

Is the seat adjusted properly?

Are the inside and outside mirrors

adjusted?

Is the steering wheel adjusted properly?

Is each occupant's seat belt fastened?

Check all gauges.

Check all warning lights when the

ignition switch is turned to the ON

position.

Release the parking brake and make

sure the brake warning light goes off.

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If you plan to back up, make sure

nothing is in your way.

NOTE

Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,

washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be

inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.

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Always be thoroughly familiar with your

Mazda.

4-5

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

Break-In Period

Money-Saving Suggestions

No special break-in is necessary, but a few

precautions in the first 1,000 km (600

miles) may add to the performance,

economy, and life of your Mazda.

How you operate your Mazda determines

how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use

these suggestions to help save money on

fuel and repairs.

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Do not race the engine.

Do not maintain one constant speed,

Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine

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runs smoothly, begin driving.

Avoid fast starts.

Keep the engine tuned. Follow the

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either slow or fast, for a long period of

time.

Do not drive constantly at full-throttle

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maintenance schedule (page 8-3) and

have an Authorized Mazda Dealer

perform inspections and servicing.

or high engine rpm for extended

periods of time.

Avoid unnecessary hard stops.

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Use the air conditioner only when

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Avoid full-throttle starts.

necessary.

Slow down on rough roads.

Keep the tires properly inflated.

Do not carry unnecessary weight.

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Do not rest your foot on the brake

pedal while driving.

Keep the wheels in correct alignment.

Keep windows closed at high speeds.

Slow down when driving in crosswinds

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and headwinds.

WARNING

Never stop the engine when going

down a hill:

Stopping the engine when going

down a hill is dangerous. This causes

the loss of power steering and power

brake control, and may cause

damage to the drivetrain. Any loss of

steering or braking control could

cause an accident.

4-6

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

NOTE

Use snow chains only on the rear wheels.

Hazardous Driving

WARNING

Be extremely careful if it is necessary to

downshift 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.

Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for

safe driving:

The ABS cannot compensate for

unsafe and reckless driving, excessive

speed, tailgating (following another

vehicle too closely), driving on ice and

snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire

friction and road contact because of

water on the road surface). You can

still have an accident.

When driving on ice or in water, snow,

mud, sand, or similar hazard:

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Be cautious and allow extra distance

for braking.

Avoid sudden braking and quick

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steering.

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If your vehicle is not equipped with

ABS, brake with the pedal by using a

light up-down motion. Do not hold the

pedal down constantly.

If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,

do not pump the brakes. Continue to

press down on the brake pedal.

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If you get stuck, select a lower gear and

accelerate slowly. Do not spin the rear

wheels.

For more traction in starting on

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slippery surfaces such as ice or packed

snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,

carpeting, or other nonslip material

under the rear wheels.

4-7

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

Floor Mat

Rocking the Vehicle

WARNING

Make sure the floor mats are hooked

on the retention pins to prevent them

from bunching up under the foot

pedals:

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:

Using a floor mat that is not secured

is dangerous as it will interfere with

the accelerator and brake pedal

operation, which could result in an

accident.

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.

Do not install two floor mats, one on

top of the other, on the driver's side:

Installing two floor mats, one on top

of the other, on the driver's side is

dangerous as the retention pins can

only keep one floor mat from sliding

forward.

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.

In using a heavy duty floor mat for

winter use always remove the

original floor mat.

Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with

the foot pedal and could result in an

accident.

When setting a floor mat, position the

floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted

over the pointed end of the retention

posts.

4-8

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

qSnow Tires

Winter Driving

Use snow tires on all four wheels

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Carry emergency gear, including tire

chains, window scraper, flares, a small

shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag

of sand or salt.

Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)

while driving with snow tires. Inflate

snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm², 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.

Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to

perform the following precautions:

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Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in

the radiator.

Your 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.

Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-20.

Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold

reduces battery capacity.

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 8-23).

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WARNING

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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.

Use only the same size and type tires

(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four

wheels:

Using tires different in size or type is

dangerous. Your vehicle's handling

could be greatly affected and result

in an accident.

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Do not apply excessive force to a

window scraper when removing ice or

frozen snow on the mirror glass and

windshield.

CAUTION

Check local regulations before using

studded tires.

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Never use warm or hot water for

removing snow or ice from windows

and mirrors as it could result in the

glass cracking.

NOTE

If your vehicle is equipped with the tire

pressure monitoring system, the system may

not function correctly when using tires with

steel wire reinforcement in the sidewalls (page

5-33).

4-9

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

qTire Chains

Driving In Flooded Area

Check local regulations before using tire

chains.

WARNING

Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly

and applying the brakes lightly until

brake performance returns to normal:

Driving with wet brakes is

CAUTION

Ø Chains may affect handling.

Ø Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30

mph) or the chain manufacturer's

recommended limit, whichever is

lower.

Ø Drive carefully and avoid bumps,

holes, and sharp turns.

Ø Avoid locked-wheel braking.

Ø Do not use chains on roads that

are free of snow or ice. The tires

and chains could be damaged.

Ø Chains may scratch or chip

aluminum wheels.

dangerous. Increased stopping

distance or the vehicle pulling to one

side when braking could result in a

serious accident. Light braking will

indicate whether the brakes have

been affected.

CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle on flooded

roads as it could cause short

circuiting of electrical/electronic

parts, or engine damage or stalling

from water absorption. If the vehicle

has been immersed in water, consult

an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

NOTE

If your vehicle is equipped with the tire

pressure monitoring system, the system may

not function correctly when using tire chains.

Install the chains on the rear tires.

Do not use chains on the front tires.

Please consult an Authorized Mazda

Dealer.

Installing the chains

1. Secure the chains on the rear tires as

tightly as possible. Always follow the

chain manufacturer's instructions.

2. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2

―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).

4-10

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

Overloading

WARNING

Be careful not to overload your vehicle:

The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)

and the gross vehicle weight rating

(GVWR) of your vehicle are on the

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label

on the driver's door frame. Exceeding

these ratings can cause an accident

or vehicle damage. You can estimate

the weight of your load by weighing

the items (or people) before putting

them in the vehicle.

4-11

Before Driving Your Mazda

Driving Tips

Driving on Uneven Road

Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads

or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on

rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.

Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under

the following conditions:

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Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle

Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle

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Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and

handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be

damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use

care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.

4-12

Before Driving Your Mazda

Towing

Trailer Towing

The Mazda MX-5 is not designed for

towing. Never tow a trailer with your

Mazda MX-5.

4-13

4-14

Before Driving Your Mazda for Your Mazda Mx-5 SUV Third Generation (2005-2015)

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