towing MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK 2010 Owner's Manual (in English)

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4Before Driving Your Mazda
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 .................................................................................. 4-7
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-8
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-10
Overloading ............................................................................ 4-10
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-11
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-12
Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-12
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Trailer Towing
The Mazda3 is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda3.
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Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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7In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.
Parking in an Emergency ............................................................. 7-2
Parking in an Emergency .......................................................... 7-2
Flat Tire ......................................................................................... 7-3
Spare Tire and Tool Storage ...................................................... 7-3
Changing a Flat Tire ................................................................. 7-9
Overheating ................................................................................. 7-15
Overheating ............................................................................. 7-15
Emergency Starting .................................................................... 7-17
Starting a Flooded Engine ....................................................... 7-17
Jump-Starting .......................................................................... 7-18
Push-Starting ........................................................................... 7-21
Emergency Towing ..................................................................... 7-22
Towing Description ................................................................. 7-22
Tiedown Hook ........................................................................ 7-23
Recreational Towing ............................................................... 7-25
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Push-Starting
Do not push-start your Mazda.
WARNING
Never tow a vehicle to start it:
Towing a vehicle to start it is
dangerous. The vehicle being towed
could surge forward when its engine
starts, causing the two vehicles to
collide. The occupants could be
injured.
CAUTION
Do not push-start a vehicle that has
a manual transaxle. It can damage
the emission control system.
NOTE
You can't start a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle by pushing it.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Starting
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Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (front wheels) off the
ground. If excessive damage or other
conditions prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transaxle.
CAUTION
Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or flatbed
equipment.
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In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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CAUTION
Do not use the hooks under the rear
bumper for towing and tying down,
as they cannot hold the load and it
will damage the bumper.
Hooks
Tiedown Hook
CAUTION
Don't use the tiedown hook under
the rear for towing.
It is designed ONLY for tying down
the vehicle when it's being
transported. Using it for towing will
damage the bumper.
qTiedown Hook-Front
1. Remove the tiedown eyelet and the lug
wrench from the trunk (page 7-3).
2. Wrap the lug wrench with a soft cloth
to prevent damage to the bumper and
open the cap located on the front
bumper.
Type A
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Type B
CAUTION
The cap cannot be completely
removed. Do not use excessive force
as it may damage the cap or scratch
the painted bumper surface.
3. Securely install the tiedown eyelet
using the lug wrench.
Lug wrench
4. Hook the tying rope to the tiedown
eyelet.
CAUTION
ØIf the tiedown eyelet is not securely
tightened, it may loosen or
disengage from the bumper when
tying down the vehicle. Make sure
that the tiedown eyelet is securely
tightened to the bumper.
ØFront tiedown hook is designed
only for towing, and lashing at
oversea transportation. Do not use
front tiedown hook for other use
(truck/railway transportation etc).
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In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Recreational Towing
An example of“recreational towing”is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer to
“Towing Description”(page 7-22) and
“Tiedown Hook”(page 7-23) and
carefully follow the instructions.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
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Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings,
from the vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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SAMPLE
WARNING
Exceeding Axle Weight Rating Limits:
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and
could result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling,
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, or loss of control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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