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
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Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (153,1)
CAUTION
lDo not shade the light sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on the
windshield. Otherwise the light
sensor will not operate correctly.
Light sensor
lThe light sensor also works as a rain
sensor for the auto-wiper control.
When the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically. Be
careful not to pinch hands or fingers
as it may cause injury, or damage the
wipers (page 5-47).
NOTE
lWhen the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is turned to the ACC or
LOCK position, the headlights and
other exterior lights will turn off.
lThe timing for turning on the
headlights and other exterior lights
can be delayed by adjusting the
sensitivity of the light sensor.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer
regarding sensor adjustment.
Xenon fusion headlight bulbsí
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights
have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a
bright white beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Xenon Fusion Bulb Replacement:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs by
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Do not replace the xenon
fusion bulbs by yourself. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer when the
replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flash, or the brightness
weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted
and a replacement is necessary. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qLights-On Reminder
If lights are on and the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a beep sound
will be heard when the driver's door is
opened.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-43íSome models. Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page153
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:12 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (156,1)
Fog Lightsí
The fog lights help you to see as well as
to be seen.
The headlights must be turned on to turn
on the front fog lights.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
fog light switch to the
position.
OFF
Fog light switch
To turn the front fog lights off, rotate the
fog light switch to the OFF position or
turn the headlights off.
NOTE
l(With auto-light control)
If the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position, the front fog lights
can be turned on when the headlights
and the exterior lights are on.
lThe fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Frozen Washer Fluid:
Using windshield washer fluid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
temperatures is dangerous. The
washer fluid could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision. You
could have an accident. Don't use the
washer without first warming the
windshield and never use plain tap
water.
NOTE
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper
switch and park off the right-of-way,
and remove the snow and ice.
After 5 minutes, turn on the switch and
the blades should operate normally. If
they don't resume functioning, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page156
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (157,1)
qWindshield Wipers
Type A (With INT position)
1
2
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
INT―Intermittent
1―Low speed
2―High speed
Type B (With AUTO position,
CANADA)í
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
AUTO―Auto control
1―Low speed
2―High speedAUTO (Auto-wiper control)
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position, the rain sensor senses the
amount of rainfall on the windshield and
turns the wiper on or off automatically
(off―intermittent―low speed―high
speed).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), turn
the switch towards (+) for higher
sensitivity (faster response) or turn the
switch towards (_
) for less sensitivity
(slower response).
Switch
Higher sensitivity Less sensitivity
Center
position
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-47íSome models. Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page157
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (158,1)
CAUTION
lDo not shade the rain sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on the
windshield. Otherwise the rain
sensor will not operate correctly.
Rain sensor
lWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
lIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
lIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
lIf the windshield is given a shock.lIf the rain sensor is given a shock
from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When washing
or servicing your Mazda, make sure
the wiper lever is in the OFF
position.
NOTE
lThe auto-wiper control may not
operate when the rain sensor
temperature is about_
10°C (14°F) or
lower, or about 85°C (185°F) or
higher.
lIf the windshield is coated with
water repellent, the rain sensor may
not be able to sense the amount of
rainfall correctly and auto-wiper
control may not operate properly.
lIf dirt or foreign matter (e.g. ice or
matter containing salt water) adheres
to the windshield above the rain
sensor or if the windshield is iced, it
could cause the wipers to move
automatically. However, if the wipers
cannot remove this ice, dirt or
foreign matter, the auto-wiper
control will stop operation. In this
case, pull the wiper lever to the 1 or
2 position for manual operation, or
remove the ice, dirt or foreign matter
by hand to restore the auto-wiper
operation.
One-touch wipers
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to MIST.
5-48
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page158
Saturday, September 25 2004 2:13 PM
Form No.8T97-EC-04J
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
Black plate (254,1)
5. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
6. Clean or replace the filter.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to the
Scheduled Maintenance (page 8-3).Wiper Blades
CAUTION
lHot waxes applied by automatic car
washers have been known to affect
the wiper's ability to clean windows.
lTo prevent damage to the wiper
blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene,
paint thinner, or other solvents on or
near them.
lWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is in the ON position, the
wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
lIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched.
lIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is wiped with a cloth.
lIf the windshield is given a shock.lIf the rain sensor is given a shock
from inside the vehicle.
Be careful not to pinch hands or
fingers as it may cause injury, or
damage the wipers. When washing
or servicing your Mazda, make sure
the wiper lever is in the OFF
position.
Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
8-24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda3_8T97-EC-04J_Edition1 Page254
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Form No.8T97-EC-04J
Black plate (255,1)
qReplacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don't move the
wipers by hand.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Slide the assembly downward; then lift
it off the arm.
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don't let the wiper arm fall on it.2. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of blade holder.
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-25
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Form No.8T97-EC-04J