tires MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE 2003 (in English) User Guide

WARNING: Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, and/or personal injury.
Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see the Preparing to drive your vehicle
section in this chapter.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a
heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for
trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle may require the use of a trailer tow
option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine, transaxle,
axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to maximize
vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load limits.
Driving
149

Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle service maintenance section.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and Specifications
221

WARNING: Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
Changing the air filter element
1. Loosen the clamp that secures the air inlet tube to the engine air
filter cover and disconnect the tube from the cover.
2. Release the clamps that secure the air filter housing cover.
3. Carefully separate the two halves of the air filter housing.
4. Remove the air filter element from the air filter housing.
5. Wipe the air filter housing and cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
6. Install a new air filter element.
Be careful not to crimp the filter
element edges between the air
filter housing and cover. This
could cause filter damage and
allow unfiltered air to enter the
engine if not properly seated.
7. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the clamps.
8. Replace the air inlet tube and secure the clamp.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be voided for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
²Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Maintenance and Specifications
229

These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Mazda to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
NOTE:The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Maintenance and Specifications
230

WARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
²Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
²Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3
miles).
²Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label or the Tire Label.
WARNING: Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle's tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them every 7,500 miles. If you notice that the tires wear unevenly, have
them checked.
Maintenance and Specifications
231

²Four tire rotation
²Five tire rotation
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
Maintenance and Specifications
232

WARNING: When replacing full size tires, never mix radial
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are
listed on the Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are
the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only
the tire combinations recommended on the label. If you do not
follow these precautions, your vehicle handling may be affected
which can lead to loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or
personal injury.
WARNING: Make sure that all replacement tires are of the
same size, type, load=carrying capacity and tread (e.g., ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Mazda. Failure to do so
can result in tire failure and a serious accident.
WARNING: Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº
tires or larger size tires.
WARNING: Failure to follow these precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
NOTE:Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires and traction
devices may be necessary. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specification as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Do not use tire chains on aluminum wheels. Chains may chip the
wheels.
²Use only SAE Class S chains
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
Maintenance and Specifications
233

Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against the
vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from the vehicle when
using snow tires and traction devices.
²Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire chains on your vehicle.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Classification Application Capacity
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine oil
(including filter
change)SAE 5W-20 2.0L I4 Zetec
engine4.25L (4.5
quarts)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine5.2L (5.5
quarts)
Fuel tank N/A 2.0L I4 Zetec
engine61L (16 gallons)
3.0L V6 Duratec
engine61L (16 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMERCONtAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Transmission
fluid
1API service
GL-4, SAE
75W-90Manual transaxle
(2WD)2.7L (2.85
quarts)2
Manual transaxle
(4X4)2.2L (2.32
quarts)2
MERCONtATF 3.0L engine with
Automatic
transaxle and oil
cooler12.7L (13.4
quarts)3
Maintenance and Specifications
234

For further information on your lubrication specifications, see your
authorized Mazda dealer.
WHEEL AND TIRE SIZES
Vehicle Grade Wheel Tire Spare Wheel Spare Tire
DX 6.5JJx16 215/70R16 17x4T 135/90R17
LX-V6/ES-V6
DX-V6 ±(Puerto
Rico only)7.0JJx16 235/70R16 17x4T 145/90R17
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 2.0L DOHC I4 Zetec
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 121 181
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.22-1.32 mm
(0.048-0.052 inch)1.32-1.42 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system DIS Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.6:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Dimensions 4 Door mm (in.)
(1) Vehicle height/ Maximum
height*1,681 (66.2)/1,744 (68.7)*
(2) Front track / rear 1,550 (61.0)/1,530 (60.2)
(3)Overall width (body) 1,783 (70.2)
(4) Wheelbase 2,620 (103.1)
(5)Overall length 4,394 (173.0)
* Denotes a 4x4 vehicle with optional 16º tires
Maintenance and Specifications
236

Rear window defroster ...............47
Relays ........................................156
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................74
locking/unlocking doors ...........69
Roof rack .....................................68
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..............................89±93
Safety defects, reporting ..........186
Safety restraints ....................89±94
cleaning the safety belts ..........98
extension assembly ..................95
for adults .............................90±93
for children .............................108
lap belt ......................................95
warning light and chime ..........96
Safety seats for children ..........112
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............89
Seats ............................................79
child safety seats ....................112
heated ........................................82
Servicing your vehicle ..............197
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................163±164
Spark plugs, specifications .......236
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............5
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................236
Speed control ..............................62
Starting your vehicle ........120±122jump starting ..........................169
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................58
T
Tires ...................................229±231
changing ..........................163±165
checking the pressure ............231
replacing ..................................232
rotating ....................................231
snow tires and chains ............233
tire grades ...............................230
treadwear ................................230
Towing .......................................149
recreational towing .................154
trailer towing ..........................149
wrecker ....................................174
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................228
manual operation ....................134
Transmission
automatic operation ...............128
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................226
fluid, refill capacities ..............234
Turn signal ..................................50
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................236
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................238
Vehicle loading ..........................147
Ventilating your vehicle ...........124
Index
244