2010 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owner's Manual (in English)

Black plate (171,1)
qManual Shift Mode
This mode gives you the feel of driving a
manual transaxle vehicle by operating the
shift lever and allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the front wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
Changing to manual mode can be done while
driving the vehicle with no damage occurring
to the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift
the lever from M to D.
NOTE
lIf you change to manual shift mode when
the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to
M1.
lIf you change to manual shift mode without
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 5th gear, the gear will
shift to M4.
Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Shift position indicator
D range/gear position indicator
NOTElIf the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down.
lIf the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF)
temperature becomes too high, there is the
possibility that the transaxle will switch to
automatic shift mode, canceling manual
shift mode and turning off the gear position
indicator illumination. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indicator illumination turns back
on and driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
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Shifting
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back (
) once.
NOTElWhen driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up depending on vehicle speed.
lIn manual shift mode, gears do not shift up
automatically. Do not run the engine with
the tachometer needle in the RED ZONE. If
the tachometer needle enters the RED
ZONE, you may feel engine-braking
because the fuel delivery will be stopped to
protect the engine. However, this does not
indicate an abnormality.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Manually Shifting down
(M5→M4→M3→M2→M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift
lever forward (
) once.
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while
driving at high speeds causes sudden
engine braking, which is dangerous.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
NOTE
lWhen driving at high speeds, the gear may
not shift down depending on vehicle speed.
lDuring deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
lWhen depressing the accelerator fully, the
transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
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Second gear fixed mode
When the shift lever is tapped back (
)
while the vehicle is stopped or driven at
about 10 km/h (6 mph) or less, the
transaxle is set in the second gear fixed
mode. The gear is fixed in second while in
this mode for easier starting and driving
on slippery roads. If the shift lever is
tapped back (
) or forward () while in
the second gear fixed mode, the mode will
be canceled.
Shifting specification
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the speed specified
for each gear, the gear cannot be shifted up to a
higher gear.
(2.0-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→M2You can shift up to M2 whether
the vehicle is stopped or
moving.
M2→M3 20.5 km/h (12.8 mph)
M3→M4
37 km/h (23 mph)
M4→M5
(2.5-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M1→M2You can shift up to M2 whether
the vehicle is stopped or
moving.
M2→M3 20.5 km/h (12.8 mph)
M3→M4
34 km/h (22 mph)
M4→M5
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the speed specified
for each gear, the gear cannot be shifted to a lower
gear so as to protect the transaxle.
(2.0-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 213 km/h (132 mph)
M4→M3 153 km/h (95 mph)
M3→M2 100 km/h (62 mph)
M2→M1 40 km/h (24 mph)(2.5-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 196 km/h (121 mph)
M4→M3 135 km/h (83 mph)
M3→M2 90 km/h (55 mph)
M2→M1 37 km/h (22 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to the
following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M5 or M4→M3 31 km/h (19 mph)
M3 or M2→M1 10 km/h (6 mph)NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear fixed
mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds
or lower, the gears shift down automatically:
(2.0-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 199 km/h (123 mph)
M4→M3 146 km/h (90 mph)
M3→M2 54 km/h (33 mph)
(2.5-liter engine model)
Gear Vehicle speed
M5→M4 183 km/h (113 mph)
M4→M3 126 km/h (78 mph)
M3→M2 51 km/h (31 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend
these shift points.
Gear Vehicle speed
M1 to M2 24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
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Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steepupgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steepdowngrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.
Power Steering
Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power
steering system.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started.
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If the light remains illuminated after the
engine is started, or illuminates while
driving, turn off the engine after parking
in a safe place, and then start the engine
again.
If the light does not illuminate after
restarting the engine, this indicates that
the power steering is restored and normal
steering is possible.
If the light remains illuminated, the power
steering is still inoperable. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
lThe power steering system is inoperable
when the power steering malfunction
indicator light illuminates. Steering is
possible, but requires more physical effort.
lRepeatedly jerking the steering wheel left
and right while the vehicle is stopped or
moving extremely slowly will cause the
power steering system to go into protective
mode which will make the steering feel
heavy, but this does not indicate a
malfunction. If this occurs, park the vehicle
safely and wait a few minutes for the system
to return to normal.
Cruise Controlí
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 32 km/h (20 mph).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under the
following conditions:
Using the cruise control under the
following conditions is dangerous
and could result in loss of vehicle
control.
ØHilly terrain
ØSteep inclines
ØHeavy or unsteady traffic
ØSlippery or winding roads
ØSimilar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
qCruise Main Indicator Light
(Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the ON switch is pressed and the
cruise control system is activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
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qActivation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON
switch.
To deactivate the system, press the OFF
switch.
(Type A)
(Type B)
WARNING
Always turn off the cruise control
system when it is not in use:
Leaving the cruise control system in
an activation-ready state while the
cruise control is not in use is
dangerous as the cruise control could
unexpectedly activate if the
activation button is accidentally
pressed, and result in loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
qTo Set Speed
Type A
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the ON switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 32 km/h (20 mph).
3. Set the cruise control by pressing the
cruise control SET
/SET - switch up
or down at the desired speed. The
cruise control is set at the moment the
cruise control SET
/SET - switch is
pressed up or down. Release the
accelerator pedal simultaneously.
Cruise control
switch
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NOTElRelease the cruise control switch at the
desired speed, otherwise the speed will
continue increasing while the switch is
pressed up, and continue decreasing while
it is pressed down (except when the
accelerator pedal is depressed).
lOn a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while ascending,
or speed up while descending.
lCruise control will turn off if vehicle speed
drops below 27 km/h (17 mph) when cruise
is activated, such as when climbing a steep
grade.
Type B
1. Activate the cruise control system by
pressing the CRUISE ON switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 32 km/h (20 mph).
3. Set the cruise control by pressing the
SET
or SET - switch at the desired
speed. The cruise control is set at the
moment the SET
or SET - switch is
pressed. Release the accelerator pedal
simultaneously.
NOTElRelease the SETor SET - switch at the
desired speed, otherwise the speed will
continue increasing while the SET
switch is pressed and held, and continue
decreasing while the SET - switch is pressed
and held (except when the accelerator
pedal is depressed).
lOn a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while ascending,
or speed up while descending.
lCruise control will turn off if vehicle speed
drops below 27 km/h (17 mph) when cruise
is activated, such as when climbing a steep
grade.
qTo Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
To increase speed using cruise control
switch
Type A
Press up the cruise control SET
switch
and hold it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Cruise control
switch
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Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current speed
in increments of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the cruise control SET
switch. Multiple taps will increase
your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for
each tap.
Type B
Press the SET
switch and hold it. Your
vehicle will accelerate.
Release the switch at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current speed
in increments of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the SET
switch.
Multiple taps will increase your vehicle
speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each tap.
To increase speed using accelerator
pedal
Type A
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed.
Press down or press up on the cruise
control SET
/SET - switch and release
it immediately.
Cruise control
switch
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up temporarily
when the cruise control is on. Greater speed
will not interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to return to
the set speed.
Type B
Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate
to the desired speed. Press the SET
or
SET - switch and release it immediately.
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