Operating Tips

Operating the Climate Control System

Operate the climate control system with the engine running.

NOTE:
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the fan control dial on for a long period of time with the ignition in ON when the engine is not running.

Clearing the Air Inlet

Clear all obstructions such as leaves, snow and ice from the hood and the air inlet in the cowl grille to improve the system efficiency.

FoggyWindows

The windows may fog up easily in humid weather. Use the climate control system to defog the windows.

To help defog the windows, operate the air conditioner to dehumidify the air.

NOTE:
The air conditioner may be used along with the heater to dehumidify the air.

Outside/Recirculated Air Position

Use the outside air position in normal conditions. The recirculated air position should be used only when driving on dusty roads or for quick cooling of the interior.

Parking in Direct Sunlight

If the vehicle has been parked in direct sunlight during hot weather, open the windows to let warm air escape, then run the climate control system.

Not Using for a Long Period

Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes at least once a month to keep internal parts lubricated.

Check the Refrigerant before the Weather Gets Hot

Have the air conditioner checked before the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant may make the air conditioner less efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for refrigerant inspection.

The air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will not damage the ozone layer.

If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant or has a malfunction, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

Replacement of the Cabin Air Filter

If your vehicle is equipped with an air filter for the air conditioner, it is necessary to change the filter periodically as indicated in scheduled maintenance. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for replacement of the cabin air filter.

    See also:

    Vehicle Overview
    Just as its Ford Escape brethren got a new look, the Mazda Tribute has received some styling tweaks, including a new grille and interior, plus a rear window that now looks more like the Escape's. ...

    Keys (without Advanced Key)
    WARNING: Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them: Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. ...

    Owner Maintenance Precautions
    Improper or incomplete service may result in problems. This section gives instructions only for items that are easy to perform. As explained in the Introduction, several procedures can be done onl ...