Page 111 of 322
Black plate (111,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-3
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-4
Manual Transaxle Operation ..................................................... 5-8
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-10
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-16
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-17
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-21
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-25
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-25
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-30
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-30
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-41
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-42
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-42
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-45
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-46
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-46
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-49
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-50
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-51
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-51
5-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page111
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:9 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 159 of 322
Black plate (159,1)
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
OFF
Washer
NOTE
With the wiper lever in the OFF or INT
(Type A)/AUTO (Type B) position, the
wipers will operate continuously until
the lever is released.
If the washer doesn't work, inspect the
fluid level (page 8-21). If it's OK, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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 8-21). If it's OK and the
washer still doesn't work, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-49
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page159
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 160 of 322
Black plate (160,1)
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.
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.
5-50
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page160
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 164 of 322
Black plate (164,1)
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 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.
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_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page164
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 167 of 322
Black plate (167,1)
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_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page167
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 169 of 322
Black plate (169,1)
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 5-50).
qHeating
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 theposition, air conditioning
is automatically turned on to defrost
the windshield (however, the
indicator light does not illuminate)
and the
position is
automatically selected.
qCooling (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.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and
temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-7
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page169
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 171 of 322
Black plate (171,1)
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.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-9
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page171
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Page 239 of 322
Black plate (239,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber 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
×1000 miles
6.25 12.5 18.752531.25 37.5 43.755056.25 62.5 68.757581.25 87.5 93.75100
Cabin air filter (if installed) R R R R R R R R
Tires (including spare tire)
(with inflation pressure adjustment)IIIIIIII
Chart symbols
I:Inspect: Inspect and repair, clean, adjust, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
C:Clean
T:Tighten
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 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.
*4 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.
*5 This is a full function check of electrical systems such as lights, wiper and washer systems (including wiper
blades), and power windows.
*6 Verify the spark plug type from the spark plug itself. Refer to specifications on page 10-4.
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-9
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page239
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:16 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
