
Black plate (114,1)
4. Referring to the auto lock/unlockfunction setting table, determine the
function number for the desired setting
and press the unlock side of the driver's
door-lock switch only in the amount of
the selected function number (Ex. If
you select function 2, press the unlock
side of the switch only 2 times).
NOTE
There are only a total of five auto lock/unlock
settings available for automatic transaxle
vehicles, and three for manual transaxle
vehicles. Be sure to press the unlock side of the
driver's door-lock switch the correct number of
times according to the selected function
number. If the switch is mistakenly pressed six
times on an automatic transaxle vehicle or
four times on a manual transaxle, the
procedure will be invalidated. If this occurs,
start the procedure from the beginning.
5. Three seconds after the function setting has been changed, a beep sound will
beep in the amount of the selected
function number.
NOTE
lThe doors cannot be locked or unlocked
while the setting function is being
performed.
lThe procedure can be cancelled by pressing
the lock side of the driver's door-lock
switch.
q Rear Door Child Safety Locks
These locks are intended to help prevent
children from accidentally opening the
rear doors. Use them both whenever a
child rides in the vehicle.
If you slide the child safety lock to the
lock position before closing that door, the
door cannot be opened from the inside.
The door can be opened only by pulling
the outside handle.
Lock Unlock
3-38
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page114
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (116,1)
Opening the liftgate
Grasp the lower end of the liftgate, press
the electric liftgate opener on the liftgate,
and then raise the liftgate when the latch
releases.
Electric liftgate
opener
While the ignition is switched ON, the
liftgate can be opened only when the
vehicle is stopped with the parking brake
applied (manual transaxle), or with the
selector lever in the P position (automatic
transaxle).
NOTE
lWhen the liftgate is unlocked by pressing
the electric liftgate opener button, the
liftgate raises slightly to allow it to be
opened. If the liftgate is not operated for a
certain period of time after the electric
liftgate opener button has been pressed, the
liftgate cannot be raised any more from its
slightly raised position. Press the electric
liftgate opener button again to fully open
the liftgate. To close the liftgate from its
slightly raised position, open it first by
pressing the electric liftgate opener button
and waiting for 1 second or longer, then
close it.
lThe sound of the latch may be heard for a
few seconds after the electric liftgate
opener has been pressed, however, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the liftgate cannot be opened
If the vehicle battery is dead or there is a
malfunction in the electrical system and
the liftgate cannot be unlocked, perform
the following procedure as an emergency
measure to unlock it:
1. Fold down the rear seatbacks.Refer to Split-Folding Rear Seatback
on page 2-10.
2. Remove the cap on the interior surface of the liftgate with a flathead
screwdriver.
Cap
3. Turn the lever to the right to unlock theliftgate.
Lever
After performing this emergency measure,
have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
3-40
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page116
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (153,1)
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than 56
km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle: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.
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.
lUse only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-18).
lInspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
lUse washer fluid made with
antifreeze ―but do not use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-26).
lDo not use the parking brake in
freezing weather as it may freeze.
Instead, shift to P with an automatic
transaxle and to 1 or R with a manual
transaxle. Block the rear wheels.
lDo not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
lNever use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows
and mirrors as it could result in the
glass cracking.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
4-9
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (161,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning Off the Engine ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transaxle Operation ................................................... 5-10
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-13
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-20
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-21
Traction Control System (TCS)í........................................... 5-26
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-27
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-30
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36 Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41 Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-56
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-58 Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-58
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-62
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-63
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-64
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-68
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-68
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-69
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-70
5-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page161
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (162,1)
Ignition Switch
With advanced key
Refer to“Starting the engine (page 3-11) ”
for information on how to use the ignition
switch.
q Ignition Switch Positions
(Without Advanced Key)
LOCKí
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. Only in this position can the
key be removed.
Manual transaxle
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)
5-2
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page162
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (163,1)
WARNING
Remove the key only when the vehicle
is parked:Removing the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. Removing the key allows
the steering wheel to lock. You will
lose steering control and a serious
accident could occur.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the shift lever is
in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear
or R (manual transaxle): Leaving the driver's seat without
switching off the ignition, setting the
parking brake, and shifting the shift
lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to
1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is
dangerous. Unexpected vehicle
movement could occur which could
result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to
leave the vehicle for even a short
period, it is important to switch the
ignition off, as leaving it in another
position will disable some of the
vehicle's security systems and run the
battery down.
NOTE
If turning the key is difficult, jiggle the steering
wheel from side to side.
Leaving the key in any position but LOCK
position also disables some of the security
features and may run the battery down.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel unlocks and some
electrical accessories will operate.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. Some indicator
lights/warning lights should be inspected
before the engine is started (page 5-41).
NOTE
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the sound of the fuel pump motor
operating near the fuel tank can be heard. This
does not indicate an abnormality.
NOTE
(With headlight auto-leveling)
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the sound of the headlight leveling
motors operating at the front of the engine
compartment can be heard. This does not
indicate an abnormality.
START
The engine is started in this position. It
will crank until you release the key. It
then returns to the ON position.
q Ignition Key Reminder
If the ignition is switched to off (LOCK)
or ACC with the key inserted, a
continuous beep sound will be heard
when the driver's door is opened.
NOTE
A personalized function is available to change
the sound volume for the ignition key reminder.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-10.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-3
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page163
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (164,1)
Starting the Engine
With advanced key
Refer to“Starting the engine (page 3-11) ”
for information on how to start the engine.
NOTE
Engine-starting is controlled by the spark
ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
1. Occupants should fasten their seat
belts.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. (Manual transaxle)
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and shift into neutral.
Keep the clutch pedal depressed while
cranking the engine.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate unless the clutch is
depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the shift lever is
not in P or N.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position and hold (up to 10 seconds at
a time) until the engine starts.
CAUTION
Do not try the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine
stalls or fails to start, wait 10 seconds
before trying again. Otherwise, you
may damage the starter and drain
the battery.
6. After starting the engine, let it idle for about 10 seconds.
NOTE
lIn extremely cold weather or after the
vehicle has not been driven in several days,
let the engine warm up without operating
the accelerator.
lWhether the engine is cold or warm, it
should be started without use of the
accelerator.
lIf the engine does not start the first time,
refer to Starting a Flooded Engine under
Emergency Starting. If the engine still does
not start, have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-17).
5-4
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page164
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J

Black plate (165,1)
Turning Off the Engine
1. Stop the vehicle completely.
2.(Manual transaxle)
Shift into neutral.
(Automatic transaxle)
Shift the shift lever to the P position.
3. (Without Advanced Keyless Entry &
Push Button Start System)
Turn the ignition switch from the ON
position to the LOCK position.
(With Advanced Keyless Entry &
Push Button Start System)
Press the push button start to turn off
the engine.
CAUTION
When leaving the vehicle, make sure
the ignition is switched OFF.
NOTE
The electrical fan in the engine compartment
could turn on for a few minutes after the
ignition is switched from the ON to the OFF,
whether or not the A/C is on or off, to cool the
engine compartment quickly.
Brake System
q Foot Brake
Your Mazda has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
5-5
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J