Winter Driving - Mazda mx-5 2003 Manual

Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips

Winter Driving

• Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a 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.
4-8
M Snow Tires
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Use snow tires on all four wheels
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.
Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
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.
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