Mazda 2009 Mazda3 4-Door, Owner'S Manual

Page: 116 / 412

Black plate (116,1)
Winter Driving
l
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
perform the following precautions:
l
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-21.
l
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
l
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
l
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze
―
but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-27).
l
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.
q
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2
, 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.
Except 18-inch tires
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
18-inch tires
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.
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
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
5-31).
4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page116
Monday, May 19 2008 9:56 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F