Mazda 2: Winter Driving

Mazda2 Owners Manual

Carry emergency gear, including tyre chains, window scraper, fl ares, 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:

• Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.

    Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-29 .

• Inspect the battery and its leads. Cold reduces battery capacity.
• Use an engine oil appropriate for the lowest ambient temperatures that the vehicle will be driven in (page 6-23 ).
• Inspect the ignition system for damage and loose connections.
• Use washer fl uid made with antifreeze— but do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washer fl uid (page 6-32 ).

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 windscreen 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 windscreen.
• 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 Tyres

WARNING

Use only the same size and type tyres (snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels: Using tyres different in size or type is dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could be greatly affected and result in an accident.

CAUTION

Check local regulations before using studded tyres.

Use snow tyres on all four 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 (page 9-10).

Tyre Chains

Check local regulations before using tyre chains.

CAUTION

• Chains may affect handling.
• Do not go faster than 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain manufacturer's recommended limit, whichever is lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, and sharp turns.
• Avoid locked-wheel braking.
• Do not use chains on a temporary spare tyre; it may result in damage to the vehicle and to the tyre.
• Do not use chains on roads that are free of snow or ice. The tyres and chains could be damaged
• Chains may scratch or chip aluminium wheels.

NOTE

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.

NOTE

Although Mazda recommends hexagon type steel ring chains, all chains within the installation specifications may be used.

Installation specifi cation (Europe)

When installing tyre chains, the distance between the tyre tread and the chain must be within the prescribed limits in the following table.

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 tyres 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).