Black plate (115,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transaxle Operation ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-11
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-17
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-22
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-27 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-27
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-32 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-32
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-43
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-45 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-45
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-48
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-49
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-49
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-53
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-53
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-54
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-55
5-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page115
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (167,1)
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer (5 Door)
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
qRear Window Wiper
Turn the wiper on by turning the rear
wiper/washer switch.
ON ―Normal
INT ―Intermittent
qRear Window Washer
To spray washer fluid, turn the rear wiper/
washer switch to the
position.
After the switch is released, the washer
will stop.
NOTE
There are two washer positions: up and
down. In the down washer position, the
wiper will not be activated.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-23). If it's OK and the
washer still doesn't work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 10 ―15
minutes and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 10 ―15 minutes has elapsed,
press the switch again.
Indicator light
CAUTION
Don't use sharp instruments or window
cleaners with abrasives to clean the
inside of the rear window surface. They
may damage the defroster grid inside
the window.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-53
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page167
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (168,1)
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for
melting snow. If there is an
accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the
defroster.
Horn
To sound the horn, press around the
mark on the steering wheel.
5-54
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page168
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (172,1)
Operating Tips
qOperating 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 switch in the ACC position
when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions like leaves, snow
and ice from the hood and the air inlet in
the cowl grille to improve the system
efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
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.
qOutside/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.
qParking 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.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck 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.
qReplacement 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 (page
8-3). Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for replacement of the cabin air
filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page172
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (175,1)
Control Panel
Temperature control dial
Fan control dial
Mode selector dial
Air intake selector
A/C Switch
Rear window
defroster switch
Some models.
qControl Switches
Temperature control dial
Hot
Cold
This dial controls temperature. Turn it
clockwise for hot and counterclockwise
for cold.
Fan control dial
This dial allows variable fan speeds.
0 ― Fan off
1 ― Low speed
2 ― Medium low speed
3 ― Medium high speed
4 ― High speed
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-5
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page175
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (177,1)
WARNING
The Recirculated Air Position:
Using the
position in cold or
rainy weather will cause the windows
to fog up. Your vision will be
hampered, which could lead to a
serious accident. Do not use the
position in cold or rainy weather.
Rear window defroster switch
When using the rear window defroster
switch, refer to Rear Window Defroster
(page 5-53).
q Heating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set
the mode selector dial to the
position.
lIf cooler air is desired at face level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than
air to the face (except when the
temperature control dial is set at the
extreme hot or cold position).
lIn the,,orposition, the
air conditioner is automatically
turned on (however, the indicator
light does not illuminate) and the
position is automatically
selected to defrost the windshield.
In the
orposition, the
position cannot be changed to
the
position.
q Cooling (With Air Conditioner)
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing the A/C switch.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page177
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (179,1)
qDehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing the A/C switch.
NOTE
One of the functions of the air
conditioner is dehumidifying the air
and, to use this function, the
temperature does not have to be set to
cold. Therefore, set the temperature
control dial to the desired position (hot
or cold) and turn on the air conditioner
when you want to dehumidify the cabin
air.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-9
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page179
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:37 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J
Black plate (252,1)
MaintenanceInterval Number of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
×1000 km 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 ×1000miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Bolts and nuts on chassis and
body TTTTTTTT
All electrical system
*7IIIIIIII
Body condition
(for rust, corrosion and perfora-
tion) Inspect annually
Cabin air filter (if installed) RRRRRRRR
Tires (including spare tire)
(with inflation pressure adjust-
ment) IIIIIIII
Chart symbols
I:
Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R: Replace
T: Tighten
C: Clean
Remarks
*1 Also inspect and adjust the power steering and air conditioner drive belts, if installed.
*2 If the vehicle is operated under any of the following conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter more often
than recommended intervals.
a) Driving in dusty conditions
b) Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
c) Driving for long period in cold temperatures or driving regularly at short distance only.
*3 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription “FL22 ”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*4 If the vehicle is operated in very dusty or sandy areas, clean and if necessary, replace the air filter more often than the recommended intervals.
*5 Verify the spark plug type from the spark plug itself. Refer to specifications on page 10-4.
*6 If the brakes are used extensively (for example, continuous hard driving or mountain driving) or if the vehicle is operated in extremely humid climates, change the brake fluid annually.
*7 This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper blades), and power windows.
8-10
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
Mazda3_8T96-EA-04J_Edition3 Page252
Wednesday, May 11 2005 3:39 PM
Form No.8T96-EA-04J