Black plate (125,1)
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.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
M4→M3 135 km/h (83 mph)
M3→M2 64 km/h (39 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we
recommend these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-15
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page125
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:10 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (154,1)
qHeadlight High-Low Beam
Push the lever forward for high beam.
Pull it back for low.
High beam
Low beam
qFlashing the Headlights
To flash the headlights, pull the lever fully
toward you. The headlight switch need
not be on, and the lever will return to the
normal position when released.
qHeadlight Levelingí
The number of riders and weight of cargo
in the luggage compartment change the
angle of the headlights.
The headlight leveling switch adjusts this
angle.
Select the proper setting from the following chart.
Front seat
Rear
seatLoadSwitch
Position
Driver Passenger
×―――0
××――0
×× ×―1
×× ×× 2
×――×3
×: Yes
―:No
qDaytime Running Lights
(Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
5-44
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page154
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (207,1)
2. Insert the trunk board loops into the
trunk board slits.
Front
Trunk
board
NOTE
To facilitate insertion of the trunk board
loops into the trunk board slits, first
insert the bottom of the rear trunk board
into the groove of the luggage sub-
compartment.
GrooveCargo sub-
compartment
3. Rock the trunk board to make sure the
board is installed securely.
To separate horizontally
Use the front trunk board to separate the
luggage compartment horizontally.
CAUTION
lDo not place heavy objects on the
trunk board or apply excessive force
as they could damage the trunk
board. The permissible weight is
about 5 kg (11 lb).
lDo not use the rear trunk board to
separate the luggage compartment
horizontally. The rear trunk board
cannot be locked to the trunk board
loops and it could move and cause
injury while the vehicle is moving.
1. Pull the trunk board loops out.
Compartment
divider loop
2. Insert the trunk board loop into slit A.
Slit A
Interior Comfort
Interior Equipment
6-45
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page207
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:14 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (260,1)
lRinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
lIf the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
cables.
qInspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper level
Lower level
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once a
week. If it's low, remove the cap and add
enough distilled water to bring the level
between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Don't overfill.
Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it's low, recharge
the battery.
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor
braking; leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires:
Using any other tire size than what is
specified for your Mazda (page 10-7)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance, tire
clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for your
Mazda.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page260
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:16 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (313,1)
qCapacities
(Approximate Quantities)
ItemUnit
L US qt Imp qt
Engine oilWith oil filter replacement 4.3 4.5 3.8
Without oil filter replacement 3.9 4.1 3.4
CoolantWith heater 7.5 7.9 6.6
Without heater 6.9 7.3 6.1
Manual transaxle oil 2.87 3.03 2.53
Automatic transaxle fluid 7.2 7.6 6.3
Fuel tank 5514.5
(US gal)12.1
(Imp gal)
Check oil and fluid levels with dipsticks or reservoir gauges.
qDimensions
ItemModel
4 Door 5 Door
Overall length(STD) 4,530 mm (178.3 in)―
(SAP) 4,540 mm (178.7 in) 4,485 mm (176.6 in)
Overall width
*1,755 mm (69.1 in) 1,755 mm (69.1 in)
Overall height 1,465 mm (57.7 in) 1,465 mm (57.7 in)
Front tread 1,530 mm (60.2 in) 1,530 mm (60.2 in)
Rear tread 1,515 mm (59.6 in) 1,515 mm (59.6 in)
Wheelbase 2,640 mm (103.9 in) 2,640 mm (103.9 in)
* With side protector
qWeights
4 Door
2.0-liter engine
ItemWeight
Manual transaxle Automatic transaxle
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)1,702 kg (3,752 lb),
1,708 kg (3,765 lb)
*11,721 kg (3,794 lb),
1,727 kg (3,807 lb)*1
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 904 kg (1,993 lb) 924 kg (2,037 lb)
Rear798 kg (1,759 lb),
804 kg (1,772 lb)*1797 kg (1,757 lb),
803 kg (1,770 lb)*1
*1 P-ZEV
Specifications
10-5
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page313
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:17 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (314,1)
2.3-liter engine
ItemWeight
Manual transaxle Automatic transaxle
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,732 kg (3,818 lb) 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 928 kg (2,046 lb) 957 kg (2,110 lb)
Rear 804 kg (1,772 lb) 803 kg (1,770 lb)
5 Door
ItemWeight
Manual transaxle Automatic transaxle
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) 1,743 kg (3,843 lb) 1,771 kg (3,904 lb)
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)Front 930 kg (2,050 lb) 960 kg (2,116 lb)
Rear 813 kg (1,793 lb) 811 kg (1,788 lb)
qAir Conditioner
Gas complies with SAE J639 Maximum operating charge
HFC134a (R-134a) 0.5 kg (17.55 oz)
qLight Bulbs
Exterior light
Light bulbCategory
Wattage ECE R SAE
HeadlightsHigh beam 60 HB3―
Low beamHalogen 55 H7―
Xenon fusion 35 D2S―
Front turn signal lights/Side-marker lights 27/8―#1157NA
Fog lights
í55 H11―
Side turn signal lights*15 WY5W―
High-mount brake light 18 W16W #921
Rear turn signal lights 21 W21W #7440
Brake lights/TaillightsWith Non-LED bulb 21/5 W21/5W #7443
With LED bulb
*24/0.8――
Reverse light 21 W21W #7440
License plate light 5 W5W―
*1 Bulb replacement is not possible because it is built into the unit. Replace the unit.
*2 Bulb replacement is not possible. The rear combination component must be replaced.
10-6íSome models.
Specifications
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page314
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:17 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (322,1)
T
Tires
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-31
Replacement ............................... 8-32
Rotation ...................................... 8-31
Snow tires .................................... 4-9
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ............................. 10-7
Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-16
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing
Description ................................. 7-19
Emergency towing ..................... 7-19
Recreational towing ................... 7-22
Towing caravan and trailers
(Europe) ..................................... 4-12
Trailer towing ............................. 4-12
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-12
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-26
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-12
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-45
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-35
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-30
ABS ............................................ 5-34
Air bag system ........................... 5-34
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-36
Brake system .............................. 5-32
Charging system ......................... 5-33
Check engine .............................. 5-33
Door-ajar .................................... 5-36
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-33
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-34
Low fuel ..................................... 5-35
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-36
Seat belt ...................................... 5-35
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-37
Warranty .............................................. 9-9
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-21
Weights ............................................. 10-5
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-33
Windows
Power windows .......................... 3-16
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-49
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-47
Blades replacement .................... 8-24
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
11-6
Index
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page322
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:17 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J