Mazda CX-5 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 perform the following precautions: l Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the radiator.

• 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 .

• 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.

• Snow left on the windshield is dangerous as it could obstruct vision.

Remove snow before driving.

• 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.

• 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/cm2, 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.

Your 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.

WARNING

Use only the same size and type tires (snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels:

Using tires 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 tires.

Tire Chains

Check local regulations before using tire 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 tire; it may result in damage to the vehicle and to the tire.

● Do not use chains on roads that are free of snow or ice. The tires and chains could be damaged.

● Chains may scratch or chip aluminum wheels.