User's Guide Part 1

3 – 48
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), 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 tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle 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.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, fl ares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-21 .
• Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
• Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-20 ).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
• Use washer fluid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fluid (page 6-23 ).
• 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.
• Remove snow before driving. Snow
left on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
• Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
• Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
Mazda3_8CX9-EA-13F_Edition1.indb 48Mazda3_8CX9-EA-13F_Edition1.indb 48 2013/05/17 11:49:182013/05/17 11:49:18