Black plate (96,1)
Theft-Deterrent Systemí
The theft-deterrent system is designed to
prevent your vehicle or its contents from
being stolen when all doors, hood, and
trunk lid/liftgate are locked.
If forcible entry is attempted, the system
sounds the horn and flashes the hazard
warning lights.
NOTE
lThe theft-deterrent system operates
with the key or the keyless entry
system transmitter.
lThe system will not function unless
it is properly armed. To properly
secure the vehicle, always make sure
all windows are completely closed
and all doors and the trunk lid/
liftgate are locked before leaving the
vehicle. Remember to take your key
and transmitter.
qOperation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 3
minutes when the system is triggered by
any one of the following:
lForcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid/liftgate.
lOpening a door by operating an inside
door-lock knob.
lOpening the hood by operating the
hood release handle.
lOpening the trunk lid by operating the
trunk lid release lever.If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until a door or the
trunk lid is unlocked with the key or with
the transmitter.
qHow to Arm the System
1. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
2. Make sure the hood is closed. Close
and lock all doors and the liftgate/trunk
lid from the outside using the key. If
you have the keyless entry system,
press the lock button on the transmitter.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once to indicate that the system is
armed.
The following method will also arm the
theft-deterrent system:
Close the hood and the liftgate/trunk
lid . Press the area on the door-lock
switch marked“LOCK”once. Close all
doors.
NOTE
Locking the doors with the inside door-
lock knob will not arm the system.
qTo Turn off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off by any
one of the following methods:
lUnlock a door or the trunk lid with the
key.
lPress the unlock button on the keyless
entry system transmitter.
lInsert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to the ON position.
3-26
Knowing Your Mazda
íSome models.
Security System
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (98,1)
Steering Wheel
WARNING
Adjusting the Steering Wheel:
Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous.
Moving it can very easily cause the
driver to abruptly turn to the left or
right. This can lead to loss of control
or an accident. Never adjust the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.
qSteering Wheel Adjustment
To change the angle or length of the
steering wheel:
1. Stop the vehicle, pull down the lock
release lever under the steering
column.
Lock release lever
2. Tilt the steering wheel and/or adjust the
steering column length to the desired
positions, push the lever up to lock the
column.
3. Push the wheel up and down to be
certain it's locked before driving.
Mirrors
qOutside Mirrors
Check the mirror angles before driving.
Mirror type
Flat type (driver's side)
Flat surface mirror.
Convex type (front passenger side)
The mirror has single curvature on its
surface.
WARNING
Convex Mirror:
Changing lanes without taking into
account the actual distance of the
vehicle in the convex mirror is
dangerous. You could have a serious
accident. What you see in the convex
mirror is closer than it appears. Be
sure to look over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Power control mirror
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position.
To adjust:
1. Move the selector switch to the left or
right to choose the left or right side
mirror.
3-28
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (99,1)
2. Depress the mirror switch in the
appropriate direction.
Mirror switch
Outside mirror
Selector switch
After adjusting the mirror, lock the control
by moving the selector switch to the
middle position.
Manual control mirror
To adjust, move the mirror's control lever,
just inside the door.
Control lever
Folding the mirror
Fold the outside mirror rearward until it is
flush with the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with Mirrors Folded In:
Driving with the outside mirrors
folded in is dangerous. Your rear view
will be restricted, and you could have
an accident. Always return the outside
mirrors to the driving position before
you start driving.
Mirror defrosterí
To turn on the mirror defrosters, turn the
ignition switch to the ON position and
push the rear window defroster switch
(page 5-54).
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
3-29íSome models. Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page99
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (103,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Parking Over Flammable Objects:
Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system could ignite it because the exhaust system
gets very hot during normal use. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
Never park over or near anything flammable.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst inside
the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will damage the
converter and cause poor performance.
lUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
lDon't drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
lDon't coast with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
lDon't operate the engine at high idle for more than 5 minutes.
lDon't tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments must
be made by a qualified technician.
lDon't push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control
system before the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some
states, such modification made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-3
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
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Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch
fluid, washer fluid, and other fluid
levels should be inspected. See
Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?
lIs the seat adjusted properly?
lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?
lCheck all gauges.
lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page106
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (109,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Spinning the Wheels:
When the vehicle is stuck, spinning
the wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries. Don't spin the wheels at more
than 56 km/h (35 mph), and don't
allow anyone to stand behind a wheel
when pushing the vehicle.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
shift lever from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
lCarry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to
perform the following precautions:
lHave the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Refer to Engine Coolant on page 8-21.
lInspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze―but don't use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-27).
lDon't use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (115,1)
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 ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................. 5-11
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-17
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-22
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-28
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-28
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-33
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-33
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-44
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-46
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-46
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-49
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-49
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-50
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-53
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-54
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-55
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-55
5-1íSome models.
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G
Black plate (116,1)
Ignition Switch
qIgnition Switch Positions
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, push the button when the
key is at the ACC position, then turn the
key to the LOCK position.
Button
Push the
button
Automatic transaxle
To turn the key from the ACC to the
LOCK position, the shift lever must be in
the P position.
Shift lever
engaged in P
(park)
WARNING
Removing the Key:
It's dangerous to remove the key from
the ignition switch while the vehicle is
moving. Removing the key allows the
steering wheel to lock. You will lose
steering control and a serious accident
could occur.
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked.
Not Setting the Parking Brake:
Leaving the driver's seat without
setting the parking brake is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur if the parking
brake is not set. This could cause an
accident. Before leaving the driver's
seat, always set the parking brake and
make sure the shift lever is in P with
an automatic transaxle or in 1 or R
with a manual transaxle.
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8U55-EA-05G_Edition2 Page116
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Form No.8U55-EA-05G