Black plate (123,1)
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 ........................................................................ 5-18
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS)í........................................... 5-22
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-23
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-25
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-32
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-32
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-37
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-37
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-49
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-51
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-51
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-54
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-55
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-55
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-59
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-60
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-61
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-61
5-1íSome models.
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (174,1)
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.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the ignition switch
is in the ON position as fingers
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when they activate
automatically. If you are going to
clean the windshield, be sure the
wipers are turned off completely -
this is particularly important when
clearing ice and snow - when it is
particularly tempting to leave the
engine running.
NOTE
lWhen the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position and the ignition
switch is turned to the ACC or
LOCK position, the headlights, other
exterior lights and dashboard
illumination will turn off.
lThe timing for turning on the
headlights, other exterior lights and
dashboard illumination 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
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself:
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs
yourself is dangerous. Because the
xenon fusion bulbs require high
voltage, you could receive an electric
shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer when the replacement is
necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights flicker, or the
brightness weakens, the bulb-life may
be depleted and a replacement is
necessary. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
5-52
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition3 Page174
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (177,1)
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.
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
lThe fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
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, the exterior lights and
dashboard illumination are on.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON
position.
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the windshield,
affect your visibility, and could result
in an accident.
Do not use the washer without first
warming the windshield and never use
plain tap water:
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.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-55íSome models. Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition3 Page177
Wednesday, August 23 2006 11:19 AM
Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (178,1)
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. Drive to the side of the road
and park off the right-of-way. Wait until
the weather clears before trying to drive
with the wipers inoperative.
qWindshield Wipers
Type A (With INT position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
―Mist
INT―Intermittent
1―Low speed
2―High speedFor a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to
.
Variable-speed intermittent wipersí
Set the lever to INT and choose the
interval timing by rotating the ring.
INT ring
Type B (With AUTO position)
Turn the wipers on by pulling the lever
down.
―Mist
AUTO―Auto control
1―Low speed
2―High speed
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
up to
.
5-56
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition3 Page178
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (180,1)
CAUTION
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 struck with a
hand or other object.
lIf the rain sensor is struck with a
hand or other object from inside
the vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the ignition switch
is in the ON position as fingers
pinched or the wipers and wiper
blades damaged when they activate
automatically. If you are going to
clean the windshield, be sure the
wipers are turned off completely -
this is particularly important when
clearing ice and snow - when it is
particularly tempting to leave the
engine running.
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.
qWindshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
OFF
Washer
5-58
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition3 Page180
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (303,1)
Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the hood's secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
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 struck with a
hand or other object.
lIf the rain sensor is struck with a
hand or other object 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.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-29
Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition3 Page303
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (304,1)
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.
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 try to
sweep the wiper arm 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 let
the wiper arm down easily, don't let it
slap down on the windshield.2. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of blade holder.
3. Remove the metal stiffener from each
blade rubber and install them in the
new blade.
8-30
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F
Black plate (336,1)
Exterior Care
Followalllabel and container directions
when using a chemical cleaner or polish.
Read all warnings and cautions.
qMaintaining the Finish
Washing
CAUTION
When 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 struck with a
hand or other object.
lIf the rain sensor is struck with a
hand or other object 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.
To help protect the finish from rust and
deterioration, wash your Mazda
thoroughly and frequently, at least once a
month, with lukewarm or cold water.
If the vehicle is washed improperly, the
paint surface could be scratched. Here are
some examples of how scratching could
occur.Scratches occur on the paint surface
when:
lThe vehicle is washed without first
rinsing off dirt and other foreign
matter.
lThe vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
lThe vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
lCleansers or wax containing abrasives
are used.
NOTE
lMazda is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
lScratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
lRinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
lUse plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
lRub gently when washing or drying the
vehicle.
lTake your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
lDon't use abrasive cleansers or wax
that contain abrasives.
8-62
Maintenance and Care
Appearance Care
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Form No.8V66-EA-06F