NOTE:
If the following occurs while driving, it could indicate a flat tire.

- Steering becomes difficult.

- The vehicle begins to vibrate excessively.

- The vehicle pulls in one direction.

If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a level spot that is well off the road and out of the way of traffic to change the tire.

Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a busy road is dangerous.

WARNING:
Be sure to follow the directions for changing a tire, and never get under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack: Changing a tire is dangerous if not done properly. The vehicle can slip off the jack and seriously injure someone. If getting under the vehicle becomes necessary use vehicle support stands.

Never allow anyone inside a vehicle supported by a jack:
Allowing someone to remain in a vehicle supported by a jack is dangerous. The occupant could cause the vehicle to fall resulting in serious injury.

NOTE:
Make sure the jack is well lubricated before using it.

1. Park on a level surface off the right-ofway and firmly set the parking brake.

2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in Park (P), a manual transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn off the engine.

3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.

4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.

5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire.

6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a wheel, place a tire block both in front and behind the tire.

NOTE:
When blocking a tire, use rocks or wood blocks of sufficient size if possible to hold the tire in place.

Removing a Flat Tire

1. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel cover, pry off the wheel cover with the beveled end of the lug wrench.

NOTE:
Force the end of the lug wrench firmly between wheel and cover, or removal will be difficult.

CAUTION:
Align the notch on the wheel cover with the valve stem when installing it.

Damage could occur during installation if the wheel cover is not properly aligned.

2. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn each, but don't remove any lug nuts until the tire has been raised off the ground.

3. Place the jack under the jacking position closest to the tire being changed.

WARNING:
Use only the front and rear jacking positions recommended in this manual: Attempting to jack the vehicle in positions other than those recommended in this manual is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and seriously injure or even kill someone. Use only the front and rear jacking positions recommended in this manual.

Use only the jack provided with your Mazda:
Using a jack that is not designed for your Mazda is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and seriously injure someone.

Never place objects under the jack: Jacking the vehicle with an object under the jack is dangerous. The jack could slip and someone could be seriously injured by the jack or the falling vehicle.

4. Turn the lug wrench clockwise and raise the vehicle high enough so that the spare tire can be installed. Before removing the lug nuts, make sure your Mazda is firmly in position and that it cannot slip or move.

5. Remove the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise; then remove the wheel and center cap.

Locking Lug Nuts

If your vehicle has optional antitheft wheel lug nuts, one on each wheel will lock the tires and you must use a special key to unlock them. This key is attached to the lug wrench and is stored with the spare tire. Register them with the lock manufacturer by filling out the card provided in the glove box and mailing it in the accompanying envelope. If you lose this key, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer or use the lock manufacturer's order form, which is with the registration card.

To remove an antitheft lug nut

1. Obtain the key for the antitheft lug nut.

2. Place the key on top of the nut, and be sure to hold the key square to it. If you hold the key at an angle, you may damage both key and nut. Don't use a power impact wrench.

3. Place the lug wrench on top of the key and apply pressure. Turn the wrench counterclockwise.

To install the nut

1. Place the key on top of the nut, and be sure to hold the key square to it. If you hold the key at an angle, you may damage both key and nut. Don't use a power impact wrench.

2. Place the lug wrench on top of the key, apply pressure, and turn it clockwise.

Mounting the Spare Tire

1. Remove dirt and grime from the mounting surfaces of the wheel and hub, including the hub bolts, with a cloth.

WARNING:
Make sure the mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub and lug nuts are clean before changing or replacing tires: When changing or replacing a tire, not removing dirt and grime from the mounting surfaces of the wheel, hub and hub bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could loosen while driving and cause the tire to come off, resulting in an accident.

2. Mount the spare tire.

3. Install the lug nuts with the beveled edge inward; tighten them by hand.

WARNING:
Do not apply oil or grease to lug nuts and bolts and do not tighten the lug nuts beyond the recommended tightening torque:
Applying oil or grease to lug nuts and bolts is dangerous. The lug nuts could loosen while driving and cause the tire to come off, resulting in an accident. In addition, lug nuts and bolts could be damaged if tightened more than necessary.

4. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise and lower the vehicle. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts in the order shown.

If you're unsure of how tight the nuts should be, have them inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

WARNING:
Always securely and correctly tighten the lug nuts:
Improperly or loosely tightened lug nuts are dangerous. The wheel could wobble or come off. This could result in loss of vehicle control and cause a serious accident.

Be sure to reinstall the same nuts you removed or replace them with metric nuts of the same configuration: Because the wheel studs and lug nuts on your Mazda have metric threads, using a non-metric nut is dangerous.

On a metric stud, it would not secure the wheel and would damage the stud, which could cause the wheel to slip off and cause an accident.

5. Remove the center cap by tapping it with the lug wrench.

6. Store the damaged tire, using the tire hold-down bolt to hold it in place.

7. Store the damaged tire in the trunk.

8. Check the inflation pressure. Refer to the specification charts.

9. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

WARNING:
Do not drive with any tires that have incorrect air pressure:
Driving on tires with incorrect air pressure is dangerous. Tires with incorrect pressure could affect handling and result in an accident.

When you check the regular tires' air pressure, check the spare tire, too.

NOTE:
To prevent the jack and tool from rattling, store them properly.