Black plate (87,1)
Liftgate (5 Door)
WARNING
Never allow a person to ride in the
luggage compartment:Allowing a person to ride in the
luggage compartment is dangerous.
The person in the luggage
compartment could be seriously
injured or killed during sudden
braking or a collision.
Do not drive with the liftgate open: Exhaust gas in the cabin of a vehicle
is dangerous. An open liftgate in a
moving vehicle will cause exhaust
gas to be drawn into the cabin. This
gas contains CO (carbon monoxide),
which is colorless, odorless, and
highly poisonous, and it can cause
loss of consciousness and death.
Moreover, an open liftgate could
cause occupants to fall out in an
accident.
qLocking, Unlocking with Keyí
To lock the liftgate with the key, insert the
key and turn it counterclockwise.
To unlock the liftgate with the key, insert
the key and turn it clockwise.
Unlock
Lock
The liftgate can be locked/unlocked by
inserting the key into the driver's door key
slot, refer to Power Door Locks (page
3-9).
qLocking, Unlocking with Transmitter
The liftgate can be locked/unlocked by
operating the keyless entry system
transmitter, refer to Keyless Entry System
(page 3-3).
q
Locking, Unlocking with Door-
Lock Switch
The liftgate can be locked/unlocked by
operating the door-lock switch, refer to
Power Door Locks (page 3-9).
qOpening and Closing the Liftgate
Opening the liftgate
Pull the handle and lift up the liftgate.
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
3-11íSome models.
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page87
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (90,1)
Trunk Lid (4 Door)
WARNING
Never allow a person to ride in the
trunk:Allowing a person to ride in the trunk
is dangerous. In addition, the person
in the trunk could be seriously
injured or killed during sudden
braking or a collision.
Keep the trunk closed when driving: Exhaust gas entering the cabin of a
vehicle through an open trunk is
dangerous. This gas contains CO
(carbon monoxide), which is
colorless, odorless, and highly
poisonous. If inhaled, it can cause
loss of consciousness and death.
qOpening and Closing the Trunk Lid
WARNING
Close the trunk lid, lock the rear
seatbacks and do not allow children to
play inside the vehicle:Leaving the trunk lid open or leaving
children in the vehicle with the keys is
dangerous. Children could open the
trunk lid and climb inside resulting in
possible injury or death from heat
exposure.
Always keep the car from being a
tempting place to play by locking rear
seats, doors and the trunk, and
keeping the keys where children can
not play with them: Leaving children or animals
unattended in a parked vehicle is
dangerous. Babies left sleeping and
children who lock themselves in cars
or trunks can die very quickly from
heat prostration. Do not leave your
children or pets alone in a car at any
time. Do not leave the car, the rear
folding seats or the trunk unlocked.
CAUTION
For vehicles equipped with a rear
spoiler, do not lift the trunk lid by the
spoiler. Lifting up the trunk lid by the
rear spoiler could cause damage to
the rear spoiler and the trunk lid.
3-14
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page90
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (109,1)
4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-4
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-6 Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-6
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-7 Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-7
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-9
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................. 4-11
Turbocharger Information
í.................................................... 4-12
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-13 Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-13
4-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page109
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (110,1)
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
2.3-liter turbocharger engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
FuelOctane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
This vehicle is designed for and requires use of premium unleaded fuel. If 91 octane fuel [
(R+M)/2 method] (96RON) is not available, gasoline as low as 87 octane [ (R+M)/2
method] (91RON) can be used temporarily for emergency purposes. Use of gasoline lower
than 91 octane [ (R+M)/2 method] (96RON) can decrease performance during its use.
Refueling the vehicle with the correct octane fuel a couple of times will restore vehicle
performance.
Except 2.3-liter turbocharger engine
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R+M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead
to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.
Ø Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10% ethanol
by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of
any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
Ø Never add fuel system additives. Never add cleaning agents other than those
specified by Mazda. Other cleaning agents and additives may damage the system.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10%. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name “Gasohol ”.
4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page110
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (111,1)
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not
be covered by the Mazda warranty.
lGasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.lGasoline or gasohol containing methanol.lLeaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-3
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page111
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (112,1)
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
Never park over or near anything flammable:Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
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.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Ø Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
Ø Do not coast with the ignition switch turned off.
Ø Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switch turned off.
Ø Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.
Ø Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
Ø Do not 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.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard at the rear of the right
side of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking
device and it operates while the engine is off.
4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page112
Tuesday, November 27 2007 9:0 AM
Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (113,1)
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area: Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss
of consciousness or even death could occur.
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when
idling the engine: Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed
and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which
contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or
even death could occur.
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,
before starting the engine: Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The
exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.
Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of
consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-5
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page113
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A
Black plate (152,1)
If the warning light illuminates again even
after the tire pressures are adjusted, there
may be a tire puncture. Replace the
punctured tire with the temporary spare
tire (page 7-8).
NOTE
A tire pressure sensor is not installed to the
temporary spare tire. The warning light will
flash continuously while the temporary spare
tire is being used.
Warning light flashes
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qSystem Error Activation
When the warning light flashes, there may
be a system malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
lWhen there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors.
lWhen a large metallic object (e.g. a
large electric household appliance or a
desk-top computer) is placed on the
right side of the rear seat, which may
block radio signals from the tire
pressure sensor to the receiver unit.
lWhen using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit.
lA digital device such as a personal
computer.
lA current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter.
lWhen excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels.
lWhen the tire pressure sensor batteries
are exhausted.
lWhen using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed.
lWhen using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls.
lWhen using tire chains.
qTires and Wheels
CAUTION
When inspecting or adjusting the tire
air pressures, do not apply excessive
force to the stem part of the wheel
unit. The stem part could be
damaged.
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure sensor's
unique ID signal code whenever tires or
wheels are changed, such as changing to
and from winter tires.
NOTE
Each tire pressure sensor has a unique ID
signal code. The signal code must be
registered with the TPMS before it can work.
The easiest way to do it is to have an
Authorized Mazda Dealer change your tire and
complete ID signal code registration.
When having tires changed at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer
Tire pressure sensor ID signal code
registration is completed when an
Authorized Mazda Dealer changes your
vehicle's tires.
5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8Y64-EA-08A_Edition1 Page152
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Form No.8Y64-EA-08A