2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 87

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 8 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Before Driving Your Mazda Driving Tips Hazardous Driving Rocking the Vehicle WARNING Downshifting on Slippery Surfaces: Downshifting into lower gear while driving on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The sudden change in tire speed could cause the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident. If it is necessary to downshift on slippery surfaces, be very careful. When driving on ice or in water, snow, mud, sand, or similar hazard: • Be cautious and allow extra distance for braking. • Avoid sudden braking and quick steering. • If your vehicle is not equipped with ABS, brake with the pedal by using a light up-down motion. Don't hold the pedal down constantly. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, don't pump the brakes. Continue to press down on the brake pedal. • If you get stuck, select a lower gear and accelerate slowly. Don't spin the rear wheels. • For more traction in starting on slippery surfaces such as ice or packed snow, use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or other nonslip material under the rear wheels. NOTE WARNING Spinning the Wheels: When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the wheels at high speed is dangerous. The spinning tire could overheat and explode. This could cause serious injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't allow anyone to stand behind a wheel when pushing the vehicle. CAUTION Too much rocking may cause engine overheating, transmission failure, and tire damage. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, depress the accelerator slightly and slowly move the shift lever from 1 (D) to R. Use snow chains only on the rear wheels. 4-8 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C