snow chains MAZDA MODEL SPEED MX-5 MIATA 2004 Owners Manual

4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
•Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
• Avoid sudden braking and quick
steering.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with
ABS, brake with the pedal by using a
light up-down motion. Don
’t hold the
pedal down constantly.
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS,
don ’t pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
• If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Don
’t spin the rear
wheels.
• For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Hazardous Driving
Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. The sudden change in tire
speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident. If it is
necessary to downshift on slippery
surfaces, be very careful.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
WARNING
Rocking the Vehicle
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at
more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and
don't allow anyone to stand behind a
wheel when pushing the vehicle.
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire damage.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-9
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
•Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use only cold-weather engine oil
(page 8-13).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don
’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-22).
• Don
’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transmission and to 1 or R
with a manual transmission. Block the
rear wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Don
’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Inflate
snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi)
more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver ’s door), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
summer tires designed for optimum
traction on wet and dry roads. If your
vehicle is to be used on snow and ice
covered roads, you may find it necessary
to replace the original equipment tires
with snow tires, during the winter months.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:
Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle ’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
WARNING
CAUTION
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4-10
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L

Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
Install the chains on the rear tires.
Don
’t use chains on the front tires.
Use only SAE Class "S" chains, and make
sure they fit. Installing the chains1. Remove the wheel covers, or the chain
bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible. Always follow the
chain manufacturer ’s instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2— 1 km (1/4— 1/2 mile).
•
Chains may scratch or chip
aluminum wheels. Install tire chains
on steel wheels only.
• Chains may affect handling.
• Don
’t go faster than 50 km/h (30
mph) or the chain manufacturer ’s
recommended limit, whichever is
lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, and sharp turns.
• Avoid locked-wheel braking.
• Don
’t use chains on a temporary
spare tire; it may result in damage to
the vehicle and to the tire.
• Don
’t use chains on roads that are
free of snow or ice. The tires and
chains could be damaged.
NOTE
Use of tire chains on a vehicle
equipped with 205/40R17
specification tires could cause
interference with the vehicle body and
scratching. If tire chains are to be used,
replace both front and rear tires with
205/45R16 tires. Please consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
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11-5
Index
Form No. 8T02-EA-03L
R
Rocking the Vehicle ........................... 4-8
S
Safety Defects, Reporting ................ 9-16
Seat Belt System 3-point type
................................. 2-7
Automatic locking
...................... 2-6
Emergency locking
..................... 2-6
Extender
.................................... 2-10
Pregnant women
......................... 2-6
Pretensioner and load limiting
.... 2-8
Seat belt precautions
................... 2-4
Warning beep
............................ 2-12
Warning light
............................ 2-12
Seats Front seat
.................................... 2-2
Security System Immobilizer system
.................. 3-29
Service Publications
......................... 9-17
Spare Tire and Tool Storage
.............. 7-3
Specifications
................................... 10-4
Speedometer
..................................... 5-19
SRS Air Bags Air bag system description
....... 2-26
Supplemental restraint systems
precautions
................................ 2-20
Warning light
............................ 2-29
Starting the Engine
............................. 5-3
Steering Wheel Horn
.......................................... 5-35
Storage Compartments
..................... 6-62
Center console
.......................... 6-62
Glove box
.................................. 6-62
Mesh pocket
.............................. 6-63
Sunvisors
.......................................... 6-59
T
Tachometer .......................................5-20
Temporary Spare Tire
......................8-30
Tiedown Hook
..........................................7-17
Tires Flat tire
........................................7-3
Inflation pressure
.......................8-28
Replacement
..............................8-30
Rotation
.....................................8-29
Snow tires
....................................4-9
Spare tire and tool storage
...........7-3
Specifications
............................10-6
Tire chains
.................................4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS)
...................................9-14
Tool
....................................................7-3
Towing Description
................................7-16
Emergency towing
....................7-16
Recreational towing
..................7-17
Trailer towing
............................4-13
Trailer Towing
..................................4-13
Trip Meter
........................................5-19
Trunk Lid
..........................................3-10
Trunk Light
......................................3-12
Trunk Release Handle
......................3-12
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
........5-32
V
Vanity Mirrors ..................................6-59
Vehicle Information Labels
..............10-2
W
Warning Lights .................................5-23
ABS
...........................................5-27
Air bag system
..........................5-28
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