tire size MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR 2014 Owners Manual

3–48
Before Driving
Driving Tips
NOTE
 y 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.
 y Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
 y Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
 y Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
 y Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Infl ate 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.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates you
may fi nd it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires diff erent in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly aff ected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION


4–67
When Driving
Radar Sensor
NOTE
 y In the following cases, the radar sensor may not be able to detect vehic\
les ahead or
obstructions.
 y The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not refl ect radio waves effectively, such as
an unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
 y Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for refl ecting radio waves. y Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield.
 y The trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger
seats are occupied.
 y Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem. y During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms. y When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.
 y In the following cases, the radar sensor may detect vehicles in the oppo\
site lane or
surrounding obstructions, or it may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or \
obstructions.
 y The beginning and end of a curve. y Roads with continuous curves. y Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures. y The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot. y The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damag\
e.  y Roads with repeated up and down slopes y Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads. y The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short. y A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.
 y To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specifi ed size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with signifi cantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle. (Including
the temporary spare tire)
 y If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly. y When driving on roads with little traffi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the
radar sensor to detect, Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/
SCBS) indicator light temporarily illuminates, however, this does not indicate a problem.
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4–106
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
NOTE
Because this system detects slight changes in tire conditions, the timing of the warning may
be faster or slower in the following cases:
 y The size, manufacturer, or the type of tires is different from the specifi cation. y The size, manufacturer, or the type of a tire is different from the others, or the level of tire
wear is excessively different between them.
 y A run-fl at tire, studless tire, snow tire, or tire chains are used. y An emergency tire is used (The tire pressure monitoring system warning light may fl ash
and then continue illuminating).
 y A tire is repaired using the puncture tire repair kit. y The tire pressure is excessively higher than the specifi ed pressure, or the tire pressure is
suddenly lowered for some reason such as a tire burst during driving.
 y The vehicle speed is lower than about 15 km/h (9.3 mph) (including wh\
en the vehicle is
stopped), or the drive period is shorter than 5 minutes.
 y The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road or a slippery, icy road. y Hard steering and rapid acceleration/deceleration are repeated such as during
aggressive driving on a winding road.
 y Load on the vehicle is applied to a tire such as by loading heavy luggage to one side of
the vehicle.
 y System initialization has not been implemented with the specifi ed tire pressure.
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6–41
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire infl ation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Diff erent Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with diff erent
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor braking;
leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.

Using Wrong-Sized Tires: Using any other tire size than what is
specifi ed for the vehicle (page 9-10 )
is dangerous. It could seriously aff ect
ride, handling, ground clearance,
tire clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specifi ed for the
vehicle.
Tire Infl ation Pressure
WARNING
Always infl ate the tires to the correct
pressure: Overinfl ation or underinfl ation of tires
is dangerous. Adverse handling or
unexpected tire failure could result in a
serious accident.
Refer to Tires on page 9-10 .

Use only a Mazda-genuine tire valve
cap: Use of a non-genuine part is
dangerous as the correct tire air
pressure cannot be maintained if the
tire valve becomes damaged. If the
vehicle is driven under this condition,
the tire air pressure will decrease which
could result in a serious accident. Do
not use any part for the tire valve cap
that is not a Mazda-genuine part.
Inspect all tire pressures monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures for
the best ride, handling, and minimum tire
wear.
Refer to the specifi cation charts (page
9-10 ).
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-107 .
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7–7
If Trouble Arises
Flat Tire
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning fl asher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffi c.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3 ).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the fl at tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or wood
blocks of suffi cient size if possible to hold
the tire in place.
Removing a Flat Tire
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel cover, pry off the wheel cover
with the beveled end of the jack lever.
NOTE
Force the end of the jack lever fi rmly
between wheel and cover, or removal will
be diffi cult.
2. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn each, but do
not remove any lug nuts until the tire
has been raised off the ground.
3. Place the jack on the ground.
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*Some models.7–29
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Signal Warning
(Amber)
(Flashes)
Lane Departure
Warning System
(LDWS) Warning Light
*
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction. Have your vehicle inspected
at an Authorized Mazda Dealer. The LDWS does not operate when the warning light fl ashes.
CAUTION
¾ If any of the following cases occurs, the system may have a malfunction. Have the
vehicle inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

¾ The light fl ashes while the vehicle is being driven.
¾ The light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON.
¾ Always use tires for all wheels that are of the specifi ed size, and the same manufacture, brand, and tread pattern. In addition, do not use tires with signifi cantly diff erent
wear patterns on the same vehicle. If such improper tires are used, the LDWS may not
operate normally.
¾ When an emergency spare tire is used, the system may not operate normally.
(Amber)
High Beam Control System (HBC)
Warning Light
*
When illuminated
The warning light illuminates if the area of the windshield in front of \
the forward sensing
camera (FSC) is fogged or obstructed.
When fl ashing
This light fl ashes if there is a malfunction in the high beam control system (HBC).\
Have
your vehicle inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
(Amber)
(Flashing)
Mazda Radar
Cruise Control
(MRCC) Warning Light
*
The warning light fl ashes if there is a malfunction in the system while the Mazda Radar
Cruise Control (MRCC) system is on. Have your vehicle inspected at an \
Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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8–24
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
13. Max. permissible infl ation pressure
14. SAFETY WARNING
P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here \
is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note \
that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light\
trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by ei\
ther ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing
Association).
215
“215” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In\
general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
6 5
“65” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R indicates “Radial ply co\
nstruction”.
1 5
“15” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
9 5
“95” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each tire
can support.
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8–26
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Maximum Permissible Infl ation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be p\
ut in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear: The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of t\
he tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specifi ed government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on\
the government
course as a tire graded 100.
Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under c\
ontrolled conditions
on specifi ed government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate\
heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specifi ed indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires,\
those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. M\
ake
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction typ\
e as the other tires
on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
 y  EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-MATCH
TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO SEAT
BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT TIRES.
 y  TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.
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8–27
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Information on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
1. Temporary tires
2. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
3. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
4. Diagonal
5. Rim diameter code
6. Load index & speed symbol
T115/70D16 90M is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanat\
ion
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note \
that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
T
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light\
trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
1 1 5
“115” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the width
in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In gener\
al, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
7 0
“70” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
D
“D” is the tire construction symbol. D indicates “diagonal ply \
construction”.
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8–29
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Location of the Tire Label (Placard)
You will fi nd the tire label containing tire infl ation pressure by tire size and other important
information on the driver's side B-pillar or on the edge of the driver's\
door frame.
SAMPLE
Recommended Tire Infl ation Pressure
On the tire label you will fi nd the recommended tire infl ation pressure in both kPa and
psi for the tires installed as original equipment on the vehicle. It is \
very important that the
infl ation pressure of the tires on your vehicle is maintained at the recomme\
nded pressure.
You should check the tire pressure regularly to insure that the proper in\
fl ation pressure is
maintained.
Refer to Tires on page 9-10 .
NOTE
Tire pressures listed on the vehicle placard or tire information label indicate the
recommended cold tire infl ation pressure, measured when the tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least 3 hours. As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up,
increasing the tire pressure.
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