2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 145

Before Driving Your Mazda Driving Tips Hazardous Driving WARNING Be extremely careful if it is necessary to downshift 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. Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe and reckless driving, excessive speed, tailgating (following another vehicle too closely), driving on ice and snow, and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and road contact because of water on the road surface). You can still have an accident. When driving on ice or in water, snow, mud, sand, or similar hazards: l Be cautious and allow extra distance for braking. l Avoid sudden braking and sudden maneuvering. l Do not pump the brakes. Continue to press down on the brake pedal. Refer to Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-7. l If you get stuck, select a lower gear and accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front wheels. l 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 front wheels. NOTE Use snow chains only on the front wheels. Floor Mat WARNING Make sure the floor mats are hooked on the retention pins to prevent them from bunching up under the foot pedals: Using a floor mat that is not secured is dangerous as it will interfere with the accelerator and brake pedal operation, which could result in an accident. Do not install two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver's side: Installing two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver's side is dangerous as the retention pins can only keep one floor mat from sliding forward. In using a heavy duty floor mat for winter use always remove the original floor mat. Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the foot pedal and could result in an accident. When setting a floor mat, position the floor mat so that its eyelets are inserted over the pointed end of the retention posts. 4-7