Mazda CX-3: Changing a Flat Tire / Removing a Flat Tire

WARNING

When jacking-up a vehicle, always shift the shift lever to 1st or R position (manual transaxle vehicle) or shift the selector lever to P position (automatic transaxle vehicle), apply the parking brake, and place wheel blocks in the position diagonally opposed to the jack: Changing a flat tire without using wheel blocks is dangerous because the vehicle may move and fall off the jack even with the shift lever in 1st or R position, or the selector lever is in P position, which could result in an accident.

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

   

   NOTE

   Force the end of the jack lever 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 do not remove any lug nuts until the tire has been raised off the ground.

   

3. Place the jack on the ground.
4. Turn the jack screw in the direction shown in the figure and adjust the jack head so that it is close to the jack-up position.

   

5. Place the jack under the jack-up position closest to the tire being changed with the jack head squarely under the jack-up point.

   

6. Continue raising the jack head gradually by rotating the screw with your hand until the jack head is inserted into the jack-up position.

   

   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.

   Do not jack up the vehicle in a position other than the designated jack-up position or place any objects on or under the jack: Jacking up the vehicle in a position other than the designated jack-up position or placing objects on or under the jack is dangerous as it could deform the vehicle body or the vehicle could fall off the jack resulting in an accident.

   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.

   NOTE

   When raising the jack head into the jacking position and aligning the groove in the jack head with the rail under the vehicle body, the top of the jack head contacts the vehicle's underbody without the rail contacting the bottom of the groove.

7. Insert the jack lever and attach the lug wrench to tire jack.

   

8. Turn the jack handle 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.

   

   WARNING

   Do not jack up the vehicle higher than is necessary: Jacking up the vehicle higher than is necessary is dangerous as it could destabilize the vehicle resulting in an accident.

   Do not start the engine or shake the vehicle while it is jacked up: Starting the engine or shaking the vehicle while it is jacked up is dangerous as it could cause the vehicle to fall off the jack resulting in an accident.

   Never go under the vehicle while it is jacked up: Going under the vehicle while it is jacked up is dangerous as it could result in death or serious injury if the vehicle were to fall off the jack.

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