Boot Band Disassembly Note

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Insert a flathead screwdriver into the boot band as shown in the figure, then press the caulked area outward to remove the boot band.

Fig 1: Removing Boot Band
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.