weight MAZDA MODEL 6 2006 (in English) Owner's Manual

Black plate (304,1)
qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
lKeep it securely mounted.
lKeep the top clean and dry.
lKeep terminals and connections clean,
tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
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
specified for your Mazda (page 10-7)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
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 specified for your
Mazda.
8-38
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page304
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (352,1)
11. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
12. Max. permissible inflation pressure
13. 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 either
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.
65
“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 construction”.
15
“15”is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95”is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each
tire can support.
9-22
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page352
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (353,1)
H
“H”is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum speed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
Q 99 mph
R 106 mph
S 112 mph
T 118 mph
U 124 mph
H 130 mph
V 149 mph
W 168
*mph
Y 186*mph
* For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For
tires with a maximum speed capability over 186 mph, tire manufacturers always use the letters ZR.
M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow
AT: All Terrain.
AS: All Season. The“M+S”or“M/S”indicates that the tire has some functional use in
mud and snow.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
This begins with the letters“DOT”which indicates the tire meets all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured. For example, the numbers
457 means the 45st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go to four digits. For example,
the number 2102 means the 21th week of 2002. The other numbers are marketing codes
used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire
defect requires a recall.
Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. In
general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the tire materials, which include steel, nylon, polyester,
and other.
Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by
the tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-23
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page353
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (359,1)
NOTE
Warm tires normally exceed recommended pressures. Don't release air from warm tires
to adjust the pressure.
Under-inflation can cause serious failures and accidents.
Over-inflation can produce a harsh ride and the greater possibility of damage from road
hazards.
qGlossary of Terms
Tire Placard:A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure, and
the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN):A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and date of
manufacture.
Inflation Pressure:A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
kPa:Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi:Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar:The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Original Equipment (OE):Describes components originally equipped on the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit:The maximum value of the combined weight of occupants and cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire:Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire:Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire:Area on the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when it's
mounted on the vehicle.
Seating capacitymeans the total allowable number of vehicle occupants. Seating capacity
is described on the tire label.
Production options weightis the combined weight of installed regular production options
weighing over 2.3 kilograms in excess of the standard items which they replace, and not
previously considered in the curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes,
ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.
Rimis the metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-29
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page359
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (363,1)
Vehicle Loading
NOTE
This vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep
your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer.
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, with or without a trailer, 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.
Base Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-33
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page363
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (364,1)
Vehicle Curb Weightis the weight of your new vehicle when you picked it up from your
dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
PAYLOAD
Payloadis the combined weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to
carry. The maximum payload for your vehicle can be found on the Tire and Load
Information label on the driver's door frame or door pillar. Look for“THE COMBINED
WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX kg or
XXX lbs”for your maximum payload. The payload listed on the tire label is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If any aftermarket or dealer installed
equipment has been installed on the vehicle, the weight of the equipment must be
subtracted from the payload listed on the tire label in order to be accurate.
9-34
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page364
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (365,1)
SAMPLE
CARGO
Cargo Weightincludes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and
optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of
cargo weight.
The cargo weight limit decreases depending on the number of vehicle occupants. The cargo
weight limit can be calculated by subtracting the total weight of the vehicle occupants from
the“combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed”value on the tire label.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-35
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page365
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (366,1)
Examples: Based on a single occupant weight of 68 kg, and a value of 385 kg for the
“combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed”:
The cargo weight limit with one occupant is 385 kg_
68 kg = 317 kg
The cargo weight limit with two occupants is 385 kg_
(68 × 2) kg = 249 kg
If the weight of the occupant increases, the cargo weight limit decreases by that much.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear) -
including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)is the maximum allowable weight that can be carried
by a single axle (front or rear).These numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on the driver's door frame or door pillar. The total load on
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo + passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)is the maximum allowable weight of the fully
loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment, passengers and cargo).The GVWR is
shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the driver's door
frame or door pillar. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
9-36
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page366
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (367,1)
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.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
9-37
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page367
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F

Black plate (368,1)
GCW
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the
weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)is the maximum allowable weight of the
vehicle and the loaded trailer - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can
handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle's braking system is rated
for operation at GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs).The GCW must
never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weightis the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer
the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory options, no cargo (internal or
external), a tongue load of 10_
15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15_
25%
(fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lbs).Consult your dealership (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealership) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth-Wheel King Pin Weightrefers to the amount of the weight that a
trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5000 lb conventional trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a
proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lbs. For an 11,500 lb fifth-wheel trailer, multiply by
0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lbs.
9-38
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8U66-EA-05F_Edition1 Page368
Friday, June 3 2005 8:49 AM
Form No.8U66-EA-05F