Mazda 3 Owners Manual: 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 an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check the following:

• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.

  Refer to Engine Coolant on .

• 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 .
• 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 .

NOTE

• 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.
• 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 Tires

Use snow tires on all four wheels

Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm 2 , 4.3 psi) more than recommended on the tire pressure label (driver's door frame), but never more than the maximum cold-tire pressure shown on the tires.

Except Mexico

The vehicle is originally equipped with all season radials designed to be used all year around. In some extreme climates you may find it necessary to replace them with snow tires during the winter months to further improve traction on snow and ice covered roads.

Mexico

The 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, Mazda recommends that you replace the tires originally equipped on your vehicle with snow tires during the winter months.

Tire Chains

Check local regulations before using tire chains.

NOTE The tire pressure monitoring system may not function correctly when using tire chains.

Install the chains on the front tires only.

Do not use chains on the rear tires.

Please consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Installing the chains

1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers remove them, otherwise the chain bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.

   Always follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.

3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile).