2004 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owner's Manual (in English)

5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Shifting specification (2.0-liter engine
model)
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Shifting specification (2.3-liter engine
model)
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted down to a lower gear.
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
NOTE
•When driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
•During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
•When depressing the accelerator
fully, the transaxle will shift to a
lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→
M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2→
M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→
M4 43 km/h (27 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 180 km/h (112 mph)
M3→
M2 119 km/h (74 mph)
M2→
M1 47 km/h (17 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 41 km/h (25 mph)
M3 or M2→
M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 170 km/h (106 mph)
M3→
M2 72 km/h (45 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→
M2You can shift up to M2
whether the vehicle is
stopped or moving.
M2→
M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→
M4 40 km/h (25 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 142 km/h (88 mph)
M3→
M2 100 km/h (62 mph)
M2→
M1 40 km/h (25 mph)
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2→
M1 8 km/h (5 mph)
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade
, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade
, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven at a low speed
from a standing start while in M2, the
gear may not shift down to M1
automatically.
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→
M3 135 km/h (84 mph)
M3→
M2 64 km/h (40 mph)
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Power Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and goes off when the engine is
started.
The light illuminates to indicate that the
power steering is inoperable. If the light
illuminates, turn off the engine and restart
it.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
NOTE
The power steering system is
inoperable when the power steering
malfunction indicator light illuminates.
Steering is possible, but requires more
physical effort.
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5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 30 km/h (19 mph).

Cruise Main Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ON/OFF
switch is pressed and the cruise control
system is activated.

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON/OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light
illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the switch
again.
The cruise main indicator light turns off.
Cruise Control*
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•Hilly terrain
•Steep inclines
•Heavy or unsteady traffic
•Slippery or winding roads
•Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
*Some models.
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 30 km/h (19 mph).
3. Press the SET/COAST button and
release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don’t continue to hold in the button.
Until you release it, speed will
continue to drop (unless you continue
to accelerate) and you’ll miss the
desired speed.

To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
•Press the RES/ACCEL button and hold
it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the button at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current
speed in increments of 1.6 km/h (1
mph) by a momentary tap of the RES/
ACCEL button. Multiple taps will
increase your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) for each tap.
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the ON/OFF switch on when
not using the cruise control is
dangerous as it may be switched on
accidentally. This could result in loss
of vehicle control. Keep the ON/OFF
switch off when cruise control is not
in use.
WARNINGNOTE
•The SET function can’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the ON/
OFF switch has been engaged.
•On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
•Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/COAST button and
release it immediately.
To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the SET/COAST button and hold it.
The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the button at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET/COAST
button. Multiple taps will decrease your
vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each
tap.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 30 km/h (19 mph)
If some other method besides the ON/
OFF switch was used to cancel cruising
speed and the system is still activated, the
most recent set speed will automatically
resume when the RES/ACCEL button is
pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 30 km/h (19
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 30
km/h (19 mph) and press the RES/
ACCEL button.

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•Press the ON/OFF switch.
•Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•Depress the clutch pedal. (Manual
transaxle only)
•Press the CANCEL button.
The system is off when the ignition is off.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 30 km/h (19 mph).
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5-22
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8S18-EA-03I
The tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire.
If tire pressure is too low or too high in
one or more tires, the system will inform
the driver via the warning light in the
instrument panel and by the warning beep
sound.
The tire pressure sensors installed on each
wheel send tire pressure data by radio
signal to the receiver unit in the vehicle.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires before you drive each day.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System*
Tire pressure sensors
•When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire information placard.
Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set
to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.
•To avoid false readings, the system
samples for a little while before
indicating a problem. As a result it
will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAUTION
*Some models.
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