Black plate (160,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-40
Charging System Warning Light5-41
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light5-41
Check Engine Light5-42
ABS Warning Light5-40
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light5-42
Low Fuel Warning Light5-43
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page160
Monday, May 19 2008 9:57 AM
Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (162,1)
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the START or ON position. It turns off
when the parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way.
You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-23).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off have your brake
system inspected as soon as possible by
an Authorized Mazda Dealer. NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
WARNING
Do not drive with the brake system
warning light illuminated. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the
brakes inspected as soon as possible:
Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your
brakes may not work at all or that
they could completely fail at any
time. If this light remains
illuminated, after checking that the
parking brake is fully released, have
the brakes inspected immediately.
qABS Warning Lightí
The warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
If the ABS warning light stays on while
you're driving, the ABS control unit has
detected a system malfunction. If this
occurs, your brakes will function normally
as if the vehicle had no ABS.
Should this happen, consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page162
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (163,1)
NOTE
When the engine is jump-started to charge the
battery, uneven rpm occurs and the ABS
warning light may illuminate. If this occurs, it
is the result of the weak battery and does not
indicate an ABS malfunction.
Recharge the battery.
qElectronic Brake Force
Distribution System Warningí
If the electronic brake force distribution
control unit determines that some
components are operating incorrectly, the
control unit may illuminate the brake
system warning light and the ABS
warning light on simultaneously. The
problem is likely to be the electronic
brake force distribution system.
WARNING
Do not drive with both the ABS warning
light and brake warning light
illuminated. Have the vehicle towed to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have
the brakes inspected as soon as
possible:
Driving when the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light
are illuminated simultaneously is
dangerous.
When both lights are illuminated, the
rear wheels could lock more quickly
in an emergency stop than under
normal circumstances.
qCharging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
If the warning light illuminates while
driving, it indicates a malfunction of the
alternator or of the charging system.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving when the
charging system warning light is
illuminated because the engine could
stop unexpectedly.
qEngine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and turns off when the engine is
started.
This warning light indicates low engine
oil pressure.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41íSome models.
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page163
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (176,1)
Without turbocharger
Front seatRear
seat Load
Switch
Position
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
×× ――0
×× × ―1
×× ×× 2
× ―― ×3
×: Yes
― :No
With turbocharger
Front seat
Rear
seat LoadSwitch
Position
Driver Passenger
× ――― 0
×× ――0
××× ―1
××××1
× ―― ×2
×: Yes
― :No
qDaytime Running Lights (Canada)
In Canada, vehicles must be driven with
the headlights on during daytime
operation.
For that reason, the daytime running lights
automatically turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
NOTE
The Daytime Running Lights turn off when the
parking brake is applied.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
q Turn Signal
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
Right turn
Left turn OFF
Right lane
change
Left lane
change
Green indicators on the dashboard show
which signal is working.
Lane-change signals
Move the lever slightly toward the
direction of the change ―until the
indicator flashes ―and hold it there. It
will return to the off position when
released.
NOTE
If an indicator light stays on without flashing
or if it flashes abnormally, one of the turn
signal bulbs may be burned out.
5-54
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page176
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (243,1)
3. Using a coin, turn the capcounterclockwise (about 45° from the
closed position) and remove it.
NOTE
Do NOT discard the cap.
4. Open the tray by pulling the lower release catch.
5. Pass the connection plug cord through the hole of the tray and insert the plug
in the auxiliary jack.
Plug
WARNING
Do not allow the connection plug cord
to get tangled with the parking brake
or the shift lever: Allowing the plug cord to become
tangled with the parking brake or
the shift lever is dangerous as it
could interfere with driving, resulting
in an accident.
CAUTION
Do not place objects or apply force to
the auxiliary jack with the plug
connected.
NOTE
lInsert the plug to the auxiliary jack
securely.
lInsert or remove the plug with the plug
perpendicular to the auxiliary jack hole.
lInsert or remove the plug by holding its
base.
6. Make sure the connection plug cord is running through the cap slot; reinstall
the cap and turn it clockwise (about
45° to the opened position).
Connection plug
cord
Interior Comfort
Audio System
6-59
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (270,1)
Changing a Flat Tire
NOTE
If the following occurs while driving, it could
indicate a flat tire.
lSteering becomes difficult.lThe vehicle begins to vibrate excessively.lThe vehicle pulls in one direction.
If you have a flat tire, drive slowly to a
level spot that is well off the road and out
of the way of traffic to change the tire.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder of a
busy road is dangerous.
WARNING
Be sure to follow the directions for
changing a tire, and never get under a
vehicle that is supported only by a jack:Changing a tire is dangerous if not
done properly. The vehicle can slip off
the jack and seriously injure
someone.
Never allow anyone inside a vehicle
supported by a jack: Allowing someone to remain in a
vehicle supported by a jack is
dangerous. The occupant could cause
the vehicle to fall resulting in serious
injury.
CAUTION
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring
System)
The wheels equipped on your Mazda
are specially designed for installation
of the tire pressure sensors. Do not
use non-genuine wheels, otherwise it
may not be possible to install the tire
pressure sensors. NOTE
lMake sure the jack is well lubricated before
using it.
(With Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
lBe sure to register the tire pressure sensor
ID signal code whenever tires or wheels are
changed (page 5-31).
1. Park on a level surface off the right-of- way and firmly set the parking brake.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic transaxle in Park (P), a manual
transaxle in Reverse (R) or 1, and turn
off the engine.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic.
5. Remove the jack, tool, and spare tire (page 7-3).
6. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. When blocking a wheel,
place a tire block both in front and
behind the tire.
NOTE
When blocking a tire, use rocks or wood blocks
of sufficient size if possible to hold the tire in
place.
7-8
In Case of an Emergency
Flat Tire
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page270
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (276,1)
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
WARNING
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan: Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot: When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine: Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. 2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Don't go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating, then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant level. If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
7-14
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Mazda3_8Z87-EA-08F_Edition1 Page276
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F
Black plate (283,1)
Towing Description
We recommend that towing be done only
by an Authorized Mazda Dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing are necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (front wheels) off the
ground. If excessive damage or other
conditions prevent this, use wheel dollies.
Wheel dollies
When towing with the rear wheels on the
ground, release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle pointed
backward with driving wheels on the
ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transaxle.
CAUTION
Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or flatbed
equipment.
In Case of an Emergency
Emergency Towing
7-21
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Form No.8Z87-EA-08F