trailer MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA 2009 Owners Manual

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4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2Fuel 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 .................................................................................. 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-8
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-10
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-12
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-13 Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-13
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Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
lAscending or descending a slope with a sharp transition anglelAscending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
4-12
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Trailer Towing
The Mazda MX-5 is not designed for
towing. Never tow a trailer with your
Mazda MX-5.
Before Driving Your Mazda
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 and Reporting Safety Defects
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 and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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S
Storage Compartments ...................... 6-82Back trim storage box ................ 6-82
Glove box ................................... 6-82
Mesh pocket ............................... 6-83
Seat side box .............................. 6-82
Sunvisors .......................................... 6-80
T
Tachometer ........................................ 5-37
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-71
Tiedown Hook .......................................... 7-26
Tire Information ................................ 9-23
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-28 System error activation .............. 5-32
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-30
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-33
Tires Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-30
Replacement ............................... 8-31
Rotation ...................................... 8-31
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Specifications ............................. 10-7
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-21
Tool ..................................................... 7-5
Tool Storage ........................................ 7-5
Towing Description ................................. 7-25
Emergency towing ..................... 7-25
Hook .......................................... 7-26
Recreational towing ................... 7-28
Trailer towing ............................. 4-13
T
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-24
TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-25
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-13
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-36
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-33 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-35
Trunk Light ....................................... 6-80
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-57
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-80
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-40 ABS ............................................ 5-42
Air bag system ........................... 5-44
Automatic transmission .............. 5-46
Brake system .............................. 5-42
Charging system ......................... 5-43
Check engine .............................. 5-44
Door-ajar .................................... 5-46
Flat tire ....................................... 5-49
KEY warning light
(Red)/KEY indicator light
(Green) ....................................... 5-49
Low fuel ..................................... 5-45
Seat belt ...................................... 5-45
Seat belt pretensioner system ..... 5-44
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-47
Warranty ............................................ 9-14
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-23
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-32
Windblocker ...................................... 6-84
11-6
Index
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