MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE 2008 Quick Tips (in English)
Manufacturer: MAZDA, Model Year: 2008, Model line: MODEL TRIBUTE, Model: MAZDA MODEL TRIBUTE 2008Pages: 15, PDF Size: 3.69 MB
Page 11 of 15

REAR SEATS
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features 
Rear Seats
Cargo Area
Spare tire
1. Spare tire Stored underneath the vehicle.
Removing spare tire: Insert 
lug wrench via access hole ( 3),
turn lug wrench handle 
counterclockwise to lower
spare tire.
To change flat tire: Follow
instructions in Owner’s
Manual.
WARNING: Do not exceed 
50 mph with temporary spare.
Tip: For instructions 
and restrictions on use 
of temporary spare tire, 
see Owner’s Manual.
2. Jack and tools Stored under carpeted 
hardboard.
Folding second-row seats
Remove rear seat head restraint
and store under front seat; 
pull seat release strap (
1); flip 
seat cushion forward; pull 
seatback release lever ( 2) 
and lower seatback slowly 
to flat position.
Returning rear seats to
upright position
Pull seatback upward until 
fully locked into upright position;
move seat cushion back into
locked normal seating position;
make sure RED seat unlatched
indicator ( 3) is not visible, reinstall
head restraints to original position.
1
3
2
3
1
2
1
2 
Page 12 of 15

TRANSAXLE
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features 
Automatic transaxle*
Gearshift must be in Park or
Neutral to start engine; it must 
be in Park to remove ignition key.
P = Park
To move gearshift from Park: 
You must press firmly on the
brake pedal and the ignition 
must be in the ON position.
R = Reverse
Never engage Reverse when 
vehicle is moving.
N = Neutral
No gear is engaged; vehicle can
roll freely, even on a slight incline,
unless the brakes are applied.
D  (Overdrive)
For normal driving: Transaxle shifts
through four forward gears.D  (Overdrive Off)
Press the overdrive switch (
1) to 
disengage overdrive; an indicator
light on the instrument panel 
will illuminate.
2 = Second
Place the gearshift lever in second
when accelerating on slippery
roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
1 = First
Provides maximum engine braking
on steep downgrades.
Manual 
transaxle
Depress clutch 
pedal completely 
to start engine 
and change gears.
Tips: Do not shift into  1st 
above 20 mph or clutch 
failure could occur.
Resting your foot on clutch
pedal while driving and using
the clutch to hold your vehicle
at a stand still while waiting
on a hill may reduce clutch life.
Four wheel drive 
(4WD) system*†Your Tribute is equipped with a
4WD system that is always active
and requires no driver input,
Tribute’s intelligent 4WD system
monitors vehicle conditions and
will automatically adjust power
distribution between front and
rear wheels, the 4WD system 
is capable of highway, off-road
and winter road conditions.
Transaxle
Transaxle
During some extreme 
off-road events the 4WD 
system may go into heat 
protection mode (locked 
mode), this will help protect 
the system, to exit heat 
protection mode, stop vehicle 
and let it cool down with 
engine running.
1
R
N
D 2
1
P
*Denotes optional equipment†See Owner’s Manual 
Page 13 of 15

UNDER HOOD
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features 
1. Windshield washer 
reservoir
Fill with windshield washer
fluid, not water.
2. Engine coolant reservoir
Level should be at cold fill level
or within the cold fill range
when cold.
WARNING: Never remove
coolant reservoir cap while
engine is running or hot;
remove only when system 
is cool.
3. Brake/clutch fluid 
reservoir
Fill to MAX mark with DOT 3
fluid, check with cap on.4. Air filter
5. Power distribution box 
6. Battery
7. Engine oil filler cap
5W-20 engine oil.
8. Hood latch
9. Engine oil dipstick
Check with engine off and 
at normal temperature; oil 
level should be within 
crosshatched area of dipstick.
10. Automatic transaxle
fluid dipstick*
Check with engine on at 
operating temperature; fluid
level should be within 
crosshatched area.
Under Hood
Under Hood
Tip: Check all fluids with 
vehicle parked on a level 
surface and engine off 
unless otherwise stated.
*Denotes optional equipment
8 17 69 2310 4 51698 27 3410 5
2.3L Engine 3.0L Engine 
Page 14 of 15

  
DRIVING TIPS
Always check the Owner’s Manual for more operating information and safety features 
Driving Tips
Tire economy and tipsCheck pressure monthly when
tires are cold, see Owner’s Manual
for rotation schedule and chart.
Tire pressure Decal on driver’s door latch 
pillar provides tire size and 
pressure information.
Tire chains**
†Tire chains can damage 
aluminum wheels; use on 
steel wheels only.
Tips: Use only SAE class “S”
chains, install only on front
axles if vehicle is 2WD 
(with P235/70R16 tires) and 
on both axles if 4WD. 
Install as tightly as possible
and retighten periodically.
Never exceed 30 mph with 
tire chains.
Anti-lock Braking 
System (ABS)
ABS automatically reduces
hydraulic pressure to any wheel
on the verge of locking up.
You may feel a slight pulsing of
the brake pedal and hear a clicking
noise; this tells you the ABS is
functioning properly; increase pressure
on pedal for maximum braking.  
Tips: Maintain constant 
pressure on the brake pedal.
Do not pump the brakes.
ABS self test
A self-diagnostic test is performed
when starting; you may feel some
brake pedal pulsation and hear
some noise, this is normal.Traction Control System (TCS)
Enhances traction and safety 
by regulating engine torque.
When TCS detects drive wheel
slippage it lowers engine torque
to prevent loss of traction.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with ABS
and TCS to help control side slip
on slippery surfaces or during 
sudden or evasive maneuvering.
Roll Stability Control (RSC) 
System determines when corrective
action is needed; by controlling
engine torque and braking 
on each wheel.
Tip: For additional service
details, see Owner’s Manual.
Break-in period
First 1,000 miles: Avoid heavy
repeated brake use; avoid full
throttle, rapid acceleration or 
kick-down of transaxle; drive at
varying road and engine speeds. 
Do not tow a trailer for first 500 miles.
Do not use special break-in oils.
Tip: Follow the same procedures
with newly overhauled engine
or when brakes are replaced.
Normal maintenance notes
Change engine oil/replace filter
every 5,000*/7,500 miles; rotate
tires every 7,500 miles or sooner 
if needed; replace cabin air filter
every 25,000 miles or 24 months.
A.Change: Engine oil/replace filter
Inspect: Engine coolant level, brake
fluid level, tire inflation pressure
and tire wear, power steering 
fluid level, washer fluid level
Lube: Locks and hingesB.Inspect: Disc brakes
C.Inspect: Drive belts (3.0 liter),
fuel lines and hoses, brake lines, 
hoses and connections, drum 
brakes, steering operation and 
linkages, front and rear suspension
ball joints, driveshaft dust 
boots, exhaust system heat 
shields, chassis/bodybolts and 
nuts, cooling system and hoses
Replace: Fuel filter
D.Inspect: Drive belts (2.3 liter)
Replace: Air filter
E.Inspect: Hoses and tubes 
for emission system
F.  Replace: Spark plugs
Inspect: Engine valve clearance 
(2.3 liter), adjust if noisy
G.Replace: PCV valve (3.0 liter), 
engine coolant (yellow)
7,500 miles
15,000 miles
22,500 miles
30,000 miles
37,500 miles
45,000 miles
52,500 miles
60,000 miles
67,500 miles
75,000 miles
82,500 miles
90,000 miles
A   A C  
A      A   D   F  A   
A B C E    A      A  
A D   
A B C
A   A  
A B  
5,000 miles*A  
97,500 miles
 G 100,000 miles* Special operating conditions
** Denotes optional equipment†See Owner’s Manual 
Page 15 of 15

2008
Reference 
Guide 
for 
Controls 
and 
Functions
Quick Tips®
MAZDA TRIBUTEMAZDA TRIBUTE
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE/WARRANTY
If you have any questions about 
your vehicle, you are invited to 
contact your local dealer. 
Or if you need additional help, 
feel free to call our 
Customer Assistance Center
at 1-800-222-5500
Monday through Friday, 
8 a.m.- 4:45 p.m., Pacific
9 a.m.- 5:45 p.m., Eastern/Central
www.mazdausa.com Mazda Roadside Assistance
Exhilaration, liberation and inspiration,
are great reasons to drive a 
Mazda car, truck or SUV. In addition
to all the other great standard 
features, you also get peace of mind
with our basic warranty period
Emergency Roadside Assistance
Plan, it’s just a phone call away,
24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
call 1-800-866-1998.
Mazda ‘’bumper-to-bumper”
Limited Warranty and
Powertrain Warranty
Engineers design and build every
Mazda to give you driving pleasure
now and far down the road. We’re
so confident in our quality that we
cover the entire vehicle against defects
in materials and workmanship for
36 months/36,000 miles, whichever
comes first, plus we provide a
powertrain warranty for 60 months/
60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
©2007 Calcar, Quick Tips®is a trademark 
of Calcar, made in USA  3/07 18.875M DOT 
Mazda North American Operations reserves the
right to change product specifications at 
any time without incurring obligations.
9999-95-014C-08QTR
This Quick Tips® guide is 
provided by Mazda North 
American Operations to 
make your Mazda ownership 
experience more convenient. 
For complete details and 
operating instructions, see 
your Owner’s Manual.
Unleaded
Gasoline
87-octane 
minimum
16.5-gallon/
62-liter tank
2.3L/3.0L