Driving Tips
Running-In
No special running-in is necessary, but a few precautions in the first 1,000 km (600 miles) may add to the performance, economy, and life of the vehicle.
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Do not race the engine.
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Do not maintain one constant speed, either slow or fast, for a long period of time.
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Do not drive constantly at full-throttle or high engine rpm for extended periods of time.
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Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
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Avoid full-throttle starts.
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Do not tow a trailer.
Saving Fuel and Protection of the Environment
How you operate your Mazda determines how far it will travel on a tank of fuel. Use these suggestions to help save fuel and reduce CO2.
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Avoid long warm-ups. Once the engine runs smoothly, begin driving.
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Avoid fast starts.
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Drive at lower speeds.
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Anticipate when to apply the brakes (avoid sudden braking).
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Follow the maintenance schedule (Search) and have an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer perform inspections and servicing.
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Use the air conditioner only when necessary.
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Slow down on rough roads.
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Keep the tyres properly inflated.
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Do not carry unnecessary weight.
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Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
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Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
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Keep windows closed at high speeds.
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Slow down when driving in crosswinds and headwinds.
Never stop the engine when going down a hill:
Stopping the engine when going down a hill is dangerous. This causes the loss of power steering and power brake control, and may cause damage to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering or braking control could cause an accident.
Hazardous Driving
Be extremely careful if it is necessary to downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while driving on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The sudden change in tyre speed could cause the tyres to skid. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident.
When driving on ice or in water, snow, mud, sand, or similar hazards:
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Be cautious and allow extra distance for braking.
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Avoid sudden braking and sudden manoeuvring.
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Do not pump the brakes. Continue to press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS) (Search).
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If you get stuck, select a lower gear and accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front wheels.
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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 front wheels.
Floor Mat
We recommend the use of Genuine Mazda floor mats.
Make sure the floor mats are secured with the grommets or the retainers to prevent them from bunching up under the foot pedals (Driver's side):
Using a floor mat that is not secured is dangerous as it will interfere with the accelerator and brake pedal operation (driver's side), which could result in an accident.
Only use a floor mat which conforms to the shape of the floor on the driver's side and make sure it is oriented correctly.
Secure the floor mat using the grommets or retainers.
There are various ways to secure floor mats depending on the type used, therefore secure the mat according to the type.
After installing the floor mat, make sure that it does not slide from side to side or back and forth, and that there is sufficient clearance with the accelerator and brake pedals on the driver's side.
After removing the floor mat for cleaning or some other reason, always securely reinstall it while paying attention to the precautions just mentioned.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver's side is dangerous as the retention pins can only keep one floor mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the foot pedals and could result in an accident.
If using an all-weather mat for winter use always remove the original floor mat.
When setting a floor mat, position the floor mat so that its grommets or retainers are inserted over the pointed end of the retention posts.
Rocking the Vehicle
Do not spin the wheels at high speed, and do not allow anyone to stand behind a wheel when pushing the vehicle:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the wheels at high speed is dangerous. The spinning tyre could overheat and explode. This could cause serious injuries.
Too much rocking may cause engine overheating, transaxle failure, and tyre damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator slightly and slowly move the shift lever/selector lever from 1 (D) to R position.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tyre chains, window scraper, flares, a small shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag of sand or salt.
Ask an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer to check the following:
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Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant (Search).
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Inspect the battery and its leads. Cold reduces battery capacity.
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Use an engine oil appropriate for the lowest ambient temperatures that the vehicle will be driven in (Search).
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Inspect the ignition system for damage and loose connections.
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Use washer fluid made with antifreeze―but do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washer fluid (Search).
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Do not use the parking brake in freezing weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift to P with an automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
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Remove snow before driving. Snow left on the windscreen is dangerous as it could obstruct vision.
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Do not apply excessive force to a window scraper when removing ice or frozen snow on the mirror glass and windscreen.
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Never use warm or hot water for removing snow or ice from windows and mirrors as it could result in the glass cracking.
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Drive slowly. Braking performance can be adversely affected if snow or ice adheres to the brake components. If this situation occurs, drive the vehicle slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until the brake performance returns to normal.
Snow Tyres
Use only the same size and type tyres (snow, radial, or non-radial) on all 4 wheels:
Using tyres different in size or type is dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could be greatly affected and result in an accident.
Use snow tyres on all 4 wheels
Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed for your snow tyres or legal speed limits.
Europe
When snow tyres are used, select the specified size and pressure (Search).
Tyre Chains
Check local regulations before using tyre chains.
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Chains may affect handling.
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Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain manufacturer's recommended limit, whichever is lower.
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Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, and sharp turns.
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Avoid locked-wheel braking.
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Do not use chains on a temporary spare tyre; it may result in damage to the vehicle and to the tyre.
In some models, the vehicle is not equipped with a factory installed temporary spare tyre.
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Do not use chains on roads that are free of snow or ice. The tyres and chains could be damaged.
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Chains may scratch or chip aluminium wheels.
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If your vehicle is equipped with the tyre pressure monitoring system, the system may not function correctly when using tyre chains.
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(Except SKYACTIV-G 1.5 for 6-speed manual transaxle (Europe))
Use of tyre chains on a vehicle equipped with 185/60R16 tyres could cause interference with the vehicle body and scratching. If tyre chains are to be used, replace both the front and rear tyres with 185/65R15 tyres and replace both the front and rear wheels with genuine Mazda 15-inch wheels of the same size, and use genuine Mazda tyre chains. Consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Install the chains on the front tyres only.
Do not use chains on the rear tyres.
Tyre chain selection (Europe)
Mazda recommends hexagon type steel ring chains. Select the proper type according to your tyre size.
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Tyre size |
Tyre chain |
|---|---|
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185/65R15 |
Hexagon type |
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185/60R16*1 |
Hexagon type |
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Only SKYACTIV-G 1.5 for 6-speed manual transaxle can be installed (Europe).
Although Mazda recommends hexagon type steel ring chains, all chains within the installation specifications may be used.
Installation specification (Europe)
When installing tyre chains, the distance between the tyre tread and the chain must be within the prescribed limits in the following table.
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Distance [Unit: mm (in)] |
|
|---|---|
|
A |
B |
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MAX 11 (0.43) |
MAX 11 (0.43) |
Installing the chains
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If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers remove them, otherwise the chain bands will scratch them.
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Secure the chains on the front tyres as tightly as possible. Always follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
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Retighten the chains after driving 1/2―1 km (1/4―1/2 mile).
Driving In Flooded Area
Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until the brake performance returns to normal:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected.
Do not drive the vehicle on flooded roads as it could cause short circuiting of electrical/electronic parts, or engine damage or stalling from water absorption. If the vehicle has been immersed in water, consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Turbocharger Information (SKYACTIV-D 1.5)
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After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, trailer towing for a long time, idle the engine at least 30 seconds before stopping it. Otherwise, the turbocharger could be damaged. However, when i-stop operates, idling is unnecessary.
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Racing or over-revving the engine, particularly after it's just been started, can damage the turbocharger.
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To protect the engine from damage, the engine is designed so that it cannot be raced just after starting it in extremely cold weather.
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved operation and requires minimum maintenance.
To get the most from it, observe the following.
