lug pattern MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR 2004 Owners Manual
Page 270 of 372
8-32
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires 
every 12,000 km (7,500 miles)/8,000 km* 
(5,000 miles) or sooner if irregular wear 
develops. During rotation, inspect them 
for correct balance.
*Unique driving conditions for USA, 
Canada and Puerto Rico
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and 
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused 
by one or a combination of the following:
• Incorrect tire pressure
• Improper wheel alignment
• Out-of-balance wheel
• Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to 
specification (page 10-8) and inspect the 
lug nuts for tightness.
NOTE
• Always check tire pressure when 
tires are cold.
• Warm tires normally exceed 
recommended pressures. Don
’t 
release air from warm tires to adjust 
the pressure.
• Underinflation can cause reduced 
fuel economy and poor sealing of 
the tire bead, which will deform the 
wheel and cause separation of tire 
from rim.
• Overinflation can produce a harsh 
ride and a greater possibility of 
damage from road hazards.
Keep your tire pressure at the 
correct levels. If one frequently 
needs inflating, have it inspected.
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial 
tires that have an asymmetrical tread 
pattern or studs only from front to rear, 
not from side to side. Tire performance 
will be weakened if rotated from side 
to side.
Front
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.
CAUTION
J48C_8S18-EA-03I_Edition3.book  Page 32  Monday, February 9, 2004  8:41 PM
Black process 45.0 ° 240.0 LPI