Black plate (176,1)
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.
5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page176
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (190,1)
CAUTION
ØEach tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it
is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
ØYour vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately
one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
ØTo avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a
problem. As a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire deflation or
blow out.
NOTE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
5-30
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page190
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (195,1)
Meters and Gauges
(Black-out meter)
When the ignition is switched ON, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
Speedometer ...................................................................................................... page 5-36
Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip Meter Selector .................................................. page 5-36
Tachometer ........................................................................................................ page 5-37
Fuel Gauge ........................................................................................................ page 5-37
Boost Gauge (2.3-liter turbocharged engine) ..................................................... page 5-38
Dashboard Illumination ..................................................................................... page 5-39
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-35
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Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (197,1)
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to“0.0”by holding
the selector depressed for 1 second or
more. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
NOTE
lOnly the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
lThe trip record will be erased when:lThe power supply is interrupted (blown
fuse or the battery is disconnected).
lThe vehicle is driven over 999.9 km
(mile).
qTachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
2.0-liter engine
2.5-liter engine 2.3-liter turbocharged engine
Red zone
CAUTION
Do not run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine
damage.
qFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows approximately how
much fuel is remaining in the tank when
the ignition is switched ON.
We recommend keeping the tank over 1/4
full.
Full
1/4 Full
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
5-37
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page197
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (198,1)
If the gauge indicates that the fuel level is
near E, refuel as soon as possible.
NOTE
lAfter refueling, it may require some time for
the indicator to stabilize. In addition, the
indicator may deviate while driving on a
slope or curve since the fuel moves in the
tank.
lThe direction of the arrow () shows that
the fuel-filler lid is on the right side of the
vehicle.
qBoost Gauge (2.3-liter
turbocharged engine)
The turbo's charging pressure is displayed
while driving.
Boost GaugeSelector
Odometer/Trip meter
NOTE
Display of the turbo's charging pressure can
be switched off using the following operation.
1. Switch the ignition ON.
2. Press the selector six times within five
seconds.
ON is displayed in the odometer/trip meter.
If the selector is pressed while ON is
displayed, OFF is displayed.
3. Press the selector for 1 second or longer
while OFF is displayed.
To turn the display on, press the selector as in
Step 2 until ON is displayed, then press the
selector again for 1 second or longer while
ON is displayed.
5-38
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page198
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Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (201,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-46
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light 5-46
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-46
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-47
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-47
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-48
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-48
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-50
Electronic Steering Lock Warning Light 5-51
Security Indicator Light 5-51
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-52
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-52
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-52
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-53
AFS OFF Indicator Light 5-53
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-53
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
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Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (205,1)
The check engine light may illuminate in
the following cases:
lThe fuel tank level being very low or
approaching empty.
lThe engine's electrical system has a
problem.
lThe emission control system has a
problem.
lThe fuel-filler cap is missing or not
tightened securely.
If the check engine light remains on or
flashes continuously, do not drive at high
speeds and consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible.
qHigh Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
When the ignition is switched ON, the
light illuminates momentarily and then
turns off.
The light flashes when the engine coolant
temperature is extremely high, and
illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature increases further.
Handling Procedure
Flashing light
Drive slowly to reduce engine load.
Illuminated light
This indicates the possibility of
overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe
place immediately and take appropriate
measures.
Refer to Overheating (page 7-15).
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle with the high
engine coolant temperature warning
light illuminated. Otherwise, it could
result in damage to the engine.
qAir Bag/Front Seat Belt
Pretensioner System Warning Light
If the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner
system is working properly, the warning
light illuminates when the ignition is
switched ON or after the engine is
cranked. The warning light turns off after
a specified period of time.
A system malfunction is indicated if the
warning light constantly flashes,
constantly illuminates or does not
illuminate at all when the ignition is
switched ON. If any of these occur,
consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer as
soon as possible. The system may not
work in an accident.
WARNING
Never tamper with the air bag/
pretensioner systems and always have
an Authorized Mazda Dealer perform
all servicing and repairs:
Self-servicing or tampering with the
systems is dangerous. An air bag/
pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-45
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Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E
Black plate (206,1)
qLow Fuel Warning Light
This warning light signals that the fuel
tank will soon be empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
qCheck Fuel Cap Warning Light
This warning light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the check fuel cap warning light
illuminates while driving, the fuel-filler
cap may not be installed properly. Stop
the engine and reinstall the fuel-filler cap.
Refer to the fuel-filler cap on page 3-49.
qSeat Belt Warning Light/Beep
The seat belt warning light illuminates
and a beep sound will be heard if the
driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition is switched ON.Conditions of operation
Condition Result
The driver's seat belt is not
fastened when the ignition is
switched ON.The warning light
illuminates for about 1
minute and a beep
sound will be heard
for about 6 seconds.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened while the warning
light and the beep sound are
activated.The warning light
turns off and the beep
sound stops.
The driver's seat belt is
fastened before the ignition
is switched ON.The warning light will
not illuminate and the
beep sound will not be
heard.
Belt minder
NOTE
The belt minder can be deactivated. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer to deactivate or
restore the seat belt minder.
Driver seated/Front passenger not
seated
The belt minder is a supplemental
warning to the seat belt warning function.
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened
when the ignition is switched ON, the
warning light/beep operates to give you
further reminders according to the chart
below.
ConditionVehicle speed
Between 0―20
km/h
(0―12 mph)20 km/h
(12 mph) or
more
Seat belt
Indicator
Beep
: Fastened: Unfastened: Illuminated: Flashing: Beep
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8AR3-EA-09E_Edition2 Page206
Monday, June 1 2009 1:17 PM
Form No.8AR3-EA-09E