2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR engine

Black plate (228,1)
Lighting Control
qHeadlights
Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination on or off.
NOTE
To prevent discharging the battery, do not leave the lights on while the engine is off unless safety
requires them.
Without AUTO position
Switch Position
Headlights OffOff On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard illumination Off
OnOn
With AUTO position
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Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (229,1)
Switch Position
HeadlightsOff
Auto Off On
Taillights
Parking lights
License lights
Side-marker lights
Dashboard illumination Off On On
AUTO (Auto-light control)
When the headlight switch is in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON, the
light sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the
headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
Ø
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield.
Otherwise the light sensor will not operate correctly.
Light sensor
ØThe light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep
hands and scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position and the ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers
and wiper blades damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be sure the wipers are turned off completely ―this
is particularly important when clearing ice and snow ―when it is particularly
tempting to leave the engine running.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (237,1)
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch downward for higher
sensitivity (faster response) or rotate it
upward for less sensitivity (slower
response).
Higher sensitivity
Less sensitivity
Switch
Center
position
CAUTION
ØDo not shade the rain sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on
the windshield. Otherwise the rain
sensor will not operate correctly.
Rain sensor
ØWhen the wiper lever is in the
AUTO position and the ignition is
switched ON, the wipers may
move automatically in the
following cases:
ØIf the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with
a cloth.
ØIf the windshield is struck with
a hand or other object from
either outside or inside the
vehicle.
Keep hands and scrapers clear of
the windshield when the wiper
lever is in the AUTO position and
the ignition is switched ON as
fingers could be pinched or the
wipers and wiper blades damaged
when the wipers activate
automatically.
If you are going to clean the
windshield, be sure the wipers are
turned off completely ―this is
particularly important when
clearing ice and snow ―when it is
most likely that the engine is left
running.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (244,1)
Operating Tips
qOperating the Climate Control
System
Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the fan control dial on for a long
period of time with the ignition switched ON
when the engine is not running.
qClearing the Air Inlet
Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system efficiency.
qFoggy Windows
The windows may fog up easily in humid
weather. Use the climate control system to
defog the windows.
To help defog the windows, operate the
air conditioner to dehumidify the air.
NOTE
The air conditioner may be used along with the
heater to dehumidify the air.
qParking in Direct Sunlight
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, then run
the climate control system.
qNot Using for a Long Period
Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
qCheck the Refrigerant before the
Weather Gets Hot
Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
efficient. Consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer for refrigerant inspection.
The air conditioner is filled with
HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that will
not damage the ozone layer.
If the air conditioner is low on refrigerant
or has a malfunction, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qReplacement of the Cabin Air
Filterí
Your vehicle is equipped with an air filter
for the air conditioner. It is necessary to
change the filter periodically as indicated
in scheduled maintenance (page 8-3).
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for
replacement of the cabin air filter.
6-2
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Climate Control System
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (250,1)
WARNING
Do not use the recirculated air mode in
cold or rainy weather:Using the recirculated air mode in
cold or rainy weather is dangerous as
it will cause the windows to fog up.
Your vision will be hampered, which
could lead to a serious accident.
qHeating
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the hot position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
NOTE
lIf the windshield fogs up easily, set the
mode selector dial to the
position.lIf cooler air is desired at face level, set the
mode selector dial at the
position and
adjust the temperature control dial to
maintain maximum comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).
lIn theorposition, the air
conditioner is automatically turned on
(however, the indicator light does not
illuminate) and the outside air mode is
automatically selected to defrost the
windshield.
In the
orposition, the outside air
mode cannot be changed to the recirculated
air mode.
q Cooling (With Air Conditioner)í
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the cold position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing the A/C switch.
5. Adjust the fan control dial and temperature control dial to maintain
maximum comfort.
CAUTION
If the air conditioner is used while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffic, monitor the engine coolant
temperature warning light to see if it
is illuminated or flashing (page 5-52).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the warning light is
illuminated or flashing, turn the air
conditioning off (page 7-16).
NOTE
lWhen maximum cooling is desired, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme cold
position and set the air intake selector to
the recirculated air mode, then set the fan
control dial to position 4.
lIf warmer air is desired at floor level, set
the mode selector dial at the
position
and adjust the temperature control dial to
maintain maximum comfort.
lThe air to the floor is warmer than air to
the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or cold
position).
6-8
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Climate Control System
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Black plate (254,1)
Mode selector switch
The desired airflow mode can be selected
(page 6-4).
NOTE
lWith the airflow mode set to the
position and the temperature control dial
set at a medium temperature, heated air is
directed to the feet and a comparably lower
air temperature will flow through the
central, left and right vents.
lTo set the air vent to, press the
windshield defroster switch.
lIn theorposition, the air
conditioner is automatically turned on and
the outside air mode is automatically
selected to defrost the windshield. In the
orposition, the outside air mode
cannot be changed to the recirculated air
mode.
A/C switch
Pressing the A/C switch while the AUTO
switch is turned on will turn off the air
conditioning (cooling/dehumidifying
functions). The air conditioning can be
turned on and off by pressing the A/C
switch while the fan control dial is on.
NOTE
lThe air conditioning operates when the A/C
switch is pressed even if the fan is off.
lThe air conditioner may not function when
the outside temperature approaches 0 °C
(32 °F). (Indicator light remains on even
when system is off.)
Air intake selector
Outside or recirculated air positions can
be selected. Press the switch to select
outside/recirculated air positions.
Recirculated air position (indicator
light illuminated)
Use this position when going through
tunnels, driving in congested traffic (high
engine exhaust areas) or when quick
cooling is desired.
Outside air position (indicator light
turned off)
Use this position for normal conditions
and defogging.
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Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (259,1)
NOTE
When leaving your vehicle unattended, we
recommend that you remove the antenna and
store it inside the vehicle.Operating Tips for Audio
System
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio control
switches while driving the vehicle:Adjusting the audio while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could
distract your attention from the
vehicle operation which could lead to
a serious accident. Always adjust the
audio while the vehicle is stopped.
Even if the audio control switches are
equipped on the steering wheel, learn
to use the switches without looking
down at them so that you can keep
your maximum attention on the road
while driving the vehicle.
CAUTION
For the purposes of safe driving,
adjust the audio volume to a level
that allows you to hear sounds
outside of the vehicle including car
horns and particularly emergency
vehicle sirens.
NOTE
lTo prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not leave the audio system
on for a long period of time when the
engine is not running.
lIf a cellular phone or CB radio is used in
or near the vehicle, it could cause noise to
occur from the audio system, however, this
does not indicate that the system has been
damaged.
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (270,1)
qPower/Volume/Sound Controls
Power/Volume dial Audio control dial
Power ON/OFF
Switch the ignition to ACC or ON.
Press the power/volume dial to turn the
audio system on.
Press the power/volume dial again to turn
the audio system off.
NOTE
To prevent the battery from being discharged,
do not leave the audio system on for a long
period of time when the engine is not running.
Volume adjustment
To adjust the volume, turn the power/
volume dial.
Turn the power/volume dial to the right to
increase volume, to the left to decrease it.
Audio sound adjustment
1. Press the audio control dial to select the
function. The selected function will be
indicated.
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Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Form No.8BY6-EA-11F