Hazardous Driving; Rocking The Vehicle - Mazda 2005 RX-8 Owner's Manual

RX-8_8T69-EA-04G_Edition1 Page92
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:11 PM
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips

Hazardous Driving

WARNING
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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazard:
Be cautious and allow extra distance
l
for braking.
Avoid sudden braking and quick
l
steering.
If your vehicle is not equipped with
l
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
l
accelerate slowly. Don't spin the rear
wheels.
For more traction in starting on
l
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the rear
wheels.
4-8
Form No.8T69-EA-04G
Black plate (92,1)

Rocking the Vehicle

WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transmission failure, and
tire 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 from 1 (D) to R.