AWD provides excellent driveability on snow-covered and ice-packed roads, sand and mud, as well as on steep slopes and other slippery surfaces.

AWD Driving

WARNING:
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers when driving this vehicle:
Sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvering of this vehicle is dangerous as it could result in the increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle roll-over, personal injury or death.

This vehicle has a higher center of gravity. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and AWD vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a lower center of gravity.

Utility and AWD vehicles are not designed for cornering at high speeds any more than low profile sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. In addition, utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.

Drive carefully when the vehicle is loaded by lowering vehicle speed and applying the brakes earlier: Abrupt maneuvering and sudden braking when driving a loaded vehicle is dangerous as the driving behavior of a vehicle with a high center of gravity is different when it is loaded compared to when it is not, and could result in the loss of vehicle control and an accident.

AWDWarning Light

This warning light stays on for a few seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.

Thereafter, the warning light will illuminate or flash under the following conditions:
- Illuminates when there is an abnormality with the AWD system.

- Flashes when the differential oil temperature is abnormally high.

- Flashes when there are continually large differences between front and rear wheel rotation, such as when trying to pull away from an icy surface, or when trying to extricate the vehicle from mud, sand or similar conditions.

If the AWD warning light illuminates:

If the AWD warning light illuminates, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

If the AWD warning light flashes:

Park the vehicle in a safe place. After a few moments; if the warning light stops flashing, you can resume driving. If the light does not stop flashing, contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

WARNING:
Never spin a wheel that is off the ground:
Spinning a wheel that is off the ground as a result of the vehicle being stuck or in a ditch is dangerous. The drive assembly could be seriously damaged which could lead to an accident or could even lead to overheating, oil leakage, and a fire.

Tires and Tire Chains

The condition of the tires plays a large role in the performance of the vehicle.

Moreover, to prevent adverse effects to the drive assembly, please note the following:

Tires

- When replacing tires, always replace all front and rear tires at the same time.

- All tires must be of the same size, manufacture, brand and tread pattern.

Pay particular attention when equipping snow or other types of winter tires.

- Do not mix tread-worn tires with normal tires.

- Inspect tire inflation pressures at the specified periods and adjust to the specified pressures.

NOTE:
Check the tire inflation pressure label attached to driver's door frame for the correct tire inflation pressure.

- Make sure to equip the vehicle with genuine wheels of the specified size, on all wheels. With AWD, the system is calibrated for all four wheels being of the same dimensions.

Tire chains

- Install tire chains to the front tires.

- Do not use tire chains on the rear wheels.

- Do not drive the vehicle faster than 30 km/h (19 mph) with the tire chains installed.

- Do not drive the vehicle with tire chains on road conditions other than snow or ice.

Towing

If the vehicle requires towing, have it towed with all four wheels completely off the ground.