Probably the most accurate approach to explicate the Mazda Tribute -- and its Ford Escape cousin -- is as a go-anywhere-with-anyone legend of the Mazda 626 sedan. On the contrary, while Ford chose to activity the big-station-wagon route with its iteration of the platform, Mazda took the high rise method and tuned the Tribute with stiffer suspension and in a superior way tires to cook up for a sportier guide. On the other hand, the hovering course won't determine you all the more agreeable whether you can't influence there -- and that's where an aftermarket GPS comes in handy.
Instructions
Pull that fuse, and plug the blade fuse tap in its habitat. A blade fuse tap sits in between the fuse panel, and has a plug-in for the inventory fuse. The blade fuse tap Testament let on you to tap into the efficacy advantage to your radio or interior lights without having to splice any wires.1. Glom under the steering spin, and to the left, for the automobile's fuse panel. Ajar the panel to expose the fuses, and beholding for the "radio" or "interior clear fuse on the diagram. Once you plug the fuse tap in, plug the fuse into the receptacle on the tap.
2. Hang the cherry tap wire absent of the fuse panel, and quick the panel contain over it; you may obligation to slightly cut the plastic incorporate so it Testament rapid over the wire. Promptly, strip 1/4-inch of insulation from the head of the wire with your wire strippers, and crimp a female-end, weather-tight quick-disconnect becoming to it.
3. Chop the bloodshot and clouded wires on your 12-volt trappings socket, and strip 1/4-inch of insulation from the ends. The 12-volt socket is dependable approximating the "cigarette lighter" socket in your sprint, and you'll exercise it to associate your GPS operation to the aptitude utility. Crimp a male-end, weather-tight quick-disconnect to the purpose of the bittersweet wire, and crimp an eye-loop connector to the site of the nigrescent wire. Plug the red-wire connector into the blade-tap's female connector to all the positive-power course.
4. Cast under the dashboard for a spot of exposed intent metal; you may asset one near the top of the trim panel where your left foot would be; or, you can pull the trim panel back to expose metal, or pull back the Floor-mat and insulation above your brake pedal. Once you find bare metal, hold your eye-loop connector to it, and secure it to the metal with a self-tapping sheetmetal screw. Now, your 12-volt socket is grounded to the chassis, and you have a fully functional 12-volt accessory socket hidden under the dash.
5. Find a spot on your dash on instrument panel where you'd like to mount your GPS unit. One location you might find of interest is directly in front of the speedometer. Most GPS units have a digital speedometer display function built in, and the GPS's digital speedometer is far more accurate than your stock speedo needle will ever be. By essentially "replacing" your stock speedometer with the GPS, you can mount the GPS where it's easily visible, but not sitting on the dashboard. This is especially important at night, when having a bright GPS display screen right in front of you can destroy your night vision.
6. Route the GPS power wire down around the base of your steering column, and under the dash to your new, hidden 12-volt socket. Plug it in, tuck the wires up under the dash, and secure them with either loops of electrical tape or zip-ties. If you'd like the cleanest-possible install, cover your GPS power wire with some black, plastic electrical conduit. When you're done, start the car, check your GPS function, and check the steering wheel tilt to make sure that your wire isn't binding or falling out of position.
