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 (158,1)
Turbocharger Informationí
The turbocharger greatly enhances engine power. Its advanced design provides improved
operation and requires minimum additional maintenance. To get maximum performance
from your turbocharged engine, take note of the following tips:
lThe turbocharged engine is designed for optimal operation with premium unleaded
gasoline (page 4-2). Do not use fuel with a lower octane rating. Extra fuel additives are
NOT recommended.
lChange the engine oil and filter using the turbo engine interval outlined in the
maintenance schedule (for your driving condition).
lUse only the recommended engine oil (page 8-18). Extra oil additives are NOT
recommended.
lAfter driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to
cool the turbo before turning off the engine. Avoid simply shutting the engine off
abruptly after a hard or long drive. Damage to the turbocharger may result.
lDo not race or over-rev the engine when starting. This should not be done with ANY
engine, especially not with one that's turbocharged.
lDo not add any aftermarket devices to alter the engine's ignition timing, fuel delivery, or
turbo boost pressure. This may lead to serious engine damage and may void your
warranty.
4-14
Before Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Driving Tips
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page158
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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.
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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
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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
Black plate (166,1)
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, find a safe place to stop:Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause
longer stopping distances or even an
accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills: Driving with your foot continuously
on the brake pedal or steadily
applying the brakes for long
distances is dangerous. This causes
overheated brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances or even
total brake failure. This could cause
loss of vehicle control and a serious
accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
Dry brakes that have become wet by
driving very slowly and applying the
brakes lightly until brake performance
is normal: Driving with wet brakes is
dangerous. Increased stopping
distance or the vehicle pulling to one
side when braking could result in a
serious accident. Light braking will
indicate whether the brakes have
been affected.
qParking Brake
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
linings or pads.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter Driving
(page 4-9) regarding parking brake use.
5-6
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8BG3-EA-09J_Edition2 Page166
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Form No.8BG3-EA-09J