2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR maintenance

Black plate (3,1)
Thank you for choosing a Mazda. We at Mazda design and build vehicles with complete
customer satisfaction in mind.
To help ensure enjoyable and trouble-free operation of your Mazda, read this manual
carefully and follow its recommendations.
An Authorized Mazda Dealer knows your vehicle best. So when maintenance or service is
necessary, that's the place to go.
Our nationwide network of Mazda professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best
possible service.
We assure you that all of us at Mazda have an ongoing interest in your motoring pleasure
and in your full satisfaction with your Mazda product.Mazda Motor Corporation
Important Notes About This Manual
Keep this manual in the glove box as a handy reference for the safe and enjoyable use of your Mazda. Should you
resell the vehicle, leave this manual with it for the next owner.
All specifications and descriptions are accurate at the time of printing. Because improvement is a constant goal at
Mazda, we reserve the right to make changes in specifications at any time without notice and without obligation.
Air Conditioning and the Environment
Your Mazda's genuine air conditioner is filled with HFC134a (R134a), a refrigerant that has been found not to
damage the earth's ozone layer. If the air conditioner does not operate properly, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
Perchlorate
Certain components of this vehicle such as [air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, lithium batteries, ...] may
contain Perchlorate Material–Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Please be aware that this manual applies to all models, equipment and options. As a result, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2011 Mazda Motor Corporation
Printed in Japan Apr. 2012 (Print3)
A Word to Mazda Owners
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page3
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (5,1)
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page5
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F
Table of Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Interior, exterior views and part identification of your Mazda.1
Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.2
Knowing Your Mazda
Explanation of basic operations and controls; opening/closing and adjustment
of various parts.3
Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.4
Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.5
Interior Comfort
Use of various features for drive comfort, including air-conditioning and audio
system.6
In Case of an Emergency
Helpful information on what to do in an emergency.7
Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.8
Customer Information
Important consumer information including warranties and add-on equipment.9
Specifications
Technical information about your Mazda.10
Index11

Black plate (15,1)
2Essential Safety Equipment
Use of safety equipment, including seats, seat belt system, child-restraint
systems and SRS air bags.
Seats ............................................................................................... 2-2Front Seats (Manually Operated Seats) ..................................... 2-2
Front Seats (Electrically Operated Seats) .................................. 2-4
Rear Seat ................................................................................... 2-7
Head Restraints ....................................................................... 2-10
Seat Warmer
í......................................................................... 2-12
Seat Belt Systems ........................................................................ 2-14 Seat Belt Precautions .............................................................. 2-14
Seat Belt .................................................................................. 2-18
Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems ....... 2-20
Seat Belt Extender ................................................................... 2-23
Seat Belt Warning Light .......................................................... 2-24
Seat Belt Reminder ................................................................. 2-25
Child Restraint ............................................................................ 2-26 Child Restraint Precautions ..................................................... 2-26
Child-Restraint System Installation Position .......................... 2-31
Installing Child-Restraint Systems .......................................... 2-32
LATCH Child-Restraint Systems ............................................ 2-39
SRS Air Bags ............................................................................... 2-44 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Precautions ................ 2-44
Supplemental Restraint System Components ......................... 2-49
How the SRS Air Bags Work .................................................. 2-50
SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria .......................................... 2-54
Limitations to SRS Air Bag .................................................... 2-55
Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification
System
í.................................................................................. 2-57
Monitoring and Maintenance .................................................. 2-62
2-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page15
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (76,1)
Monitoring and Maintenance
qConstant Monitoring
The following components of the air bag systems are monitored by a diagnostic system:
lCrash sensors, and diagnostic module (SAS unit)lFront air bag sensorlAir bag moduleslSide crash sensorsí
lAir bag/Front seat belt pretensioner system warning lightlFront seat belt pretensionerslRelated wiring
(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
lFront passenger air bag deactivation indicator lightlDriver seat slide position sensorlFront passenger seat weight sensorslFront passenger seat weight sensor control modulelFront passenger seat belt buckle switch
The diagnostic module continuously monitors the system's readiness. This begins when the
ignition is switched ON and continues while the vehicle is being driven.
q Maintenance
The air bag systems do not require regular maintenance. But if any of the following occurs,
take your vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible:
lThe air bag system warning light flashes.lThe air bag system warning light remains illuminated.lThe air bag system warning light does not illuminate when the ignition is switched ON.lThe air bag system warning beep sound is heard.lThe air bags have deployed.l(With Driver and Front Passenger Occupant Classification System)
Front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition
is switched ON or does not illuminate as indicated in the chart. For more details about
this indicator light and this chart, refer to “Front passenger seat weight sensors ”(page
2-57).
2-62
Essential Safety Equipment
íSome models.
SRS Air Bags
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page76
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (83,1)
qAdvanced Key Maintenance
CAUTION
Ø Make sure the battery is installed
with the correct pole facing
upward. Battery leakage could
occur if it is not installed correctly.
Ø When replacing the battery, be
careful not to touch any of the
internal circuitry and electrical
terminals, bend the electrical
terminals, or get dirt in the
transmitter as the transmitter
could be damaged.
Ø There is the danger of explosion if
the battery is not correctly
replaced.
Ø Replace only with the same type
battery (CR2025 or equivalent).
Ø Dispose of used batteries
according to the following
instructions.
ØInsulate the plus and minus
terminals of the battery using
cellophane or equivalent tape.
ØNever disassemble.
ØNever throw the battery into
fire or water.
ØNever deform or crush.
The following conditions indicate that the
battery power is low:
lThe KEY indicator light (green) flashes
in the instrument cluster for about 30
seconds after the engine is turned off.
lThe system does not operate and the
operation indicator light on the
transmitter does not flash when the
buttons are pressed.
lThe system's operational range is
reduced. Replacing the battery at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer is recommended to prevent
damage to the advanced key. If replacing
the battery by yourself, follow the
instruction below.
Replacing the advanced key battery
1. Pull out the auxiliary key.
2. Insert a small, flathead screwdriver into
the groove shown in the figure and
rotate the screwdriver to open the cover
slightly.
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
3-5
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page83
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (94,1)
3. Press the push button start to turn offthe engine.
CAUTION
When leaving the vehicle, make sure
the push button start is pressed to
off.
NOTE
lWhen the push button start is pressed to off
from ON, the KEY indicator light (green)
flashes for approximately 30 seconds
indicating that the remaining battery power
of the advanced key is low. Replace with a
new battery before the advanced key
becomes unusable.
Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance on
page 3-5.
l(Automatic transaxle)
If the engine is turned off while the shift
lever is in a position other than P, the
ignition switches to ACC.
Emergency engine stop
WARNING
Do not press (or touch) the push button
start while the vehicle is moving: Pressing the push button start and
stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving for any reason other than
in an emergency is dangerous.
Stopping the engine while the vehicle
is moving will result in reduced
maneuverability and braking ability
due to the loss of power steering and
power braking, which could cause an
accident and serious injury.
Continuously pressing the push button
start while the engine is running and the
vehicle is stopped, or quickly pressing it
any number of times will turn the engine
off immediately.
Operation Using Advanced
Key Functions
q Keyless Entry System
This system uses the more traditional
keyless entry buttons to remotely lock and
unlock the doors and the liftgate, and
opens the trunk lid.
It can also help you signal for attention.
Press the buttons slowly and carefully.
NOTE
lThe keyless entry system is designed to
operate up to about 2.5 m (8 ft) from the
center of the vehicle, but this may vary due
to local conditions.
lThe system does not operate when the
auxiliary key is in the key slot.
lThe keyless entry system is fully operational
when the push button start is switched off.
The system does not operate if the push
button start is switched to any position
other than off.
lAll doors and the liftgate cannot be locked
by pressing the lock button while any door
or the liftgate is open. The hazard warning
lights will also not flash.
lIf the transmitter does not operate when
pressing a button or the operational range
becomes too small, the battery may be
dead. To install a new battery, refer to
Maintenance (page 3-5).
3-16
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page94
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (100,1)
qRequest Switch Inoperable
Warning Beep
If the request switch for a front door is
pressed under the following conditions
while the advanced key is being carried, a
beep will be heard six times to indicate
that the front doors cannot be locked.
The volume of the beep sound can be
changed.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-12.
lA door is open (door ajar included).lThe ignition has not been switched off.lThe auxiliary key is inserted into the
key slot.
qAdvanced Key Battery Dead
Warning
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
switched off from ON, the KEY indicator
light (green) flashes for approximately 30
seconds indicating that the remaining
battery power is low. Replace with a new
battery before the advanced key becomes
unusable.
Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance
(page 3-5).
NOTE
The advanced key can be set so that the KEY
indicator light (green) does not flash even if
the battery power is low.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-12.
qEngine Start Not Permitted Warning
Under the following conditions, the KEY
warning light (red) flashes to inform the
driver that the ignition will not switch to
ACC even if the ignition is switched off.
lThe advanced key battery is dead.
lThe advanced key is not within
operational range.
lThe advanced key is placed in areas
where it is difficult for the system to
detect the signal (page 3-7).
lA key from another manufacturer
similar to the advanced key is in the
operational range.
qAdvanced Key Left-in-luggage
compartment/trunk Warning Beep
If the advanced key is left in the luggage/
trunk compartment with all doors locked
and the liftgate/trunk lid closed, a beep
sound is heard for about 10 seconds to
remind the driver the advanced key has
been left in the luggage/trunk
compartment. If this happens, open the
liftgate/trunk lid by pressing the electric
liftgate/trunk lid opener and remove the
advanced key. An advanced key removed
from the luggage compartment/trunk may
not function because its functions may
have been temporarily suspended. To
restore the advanced key function,
perform the applicable procedure (page
3-20).
The system can be set not to open the
trunk.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
10-12.
3-22
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page100
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F

Black plate (102,1)
When Warning Indicator/Beep is Activated
Under the following conditions, warning beeps are heard and a warning/indicator light in
the instrument cluster illuminates to notify the driver of improper operation of the
advanced key to prevent theft of the vehicle (page 3-21).
WarningHow to check
When a door is open, a continuous beep sound will be heard. Check whether the ignition has been
switched off.
When a door is open, 3 beep sounds are heard, and the KEY warning
light (red) in the instrument cluster flashes. Check whether the advanced key has
been removed from the vehicle.
When a door is closed, a beep sound is heard 6 times, and the KEY
warning light (red) in the instrument cluster flashes. Check whether the advanced key has
been removed from the vehicle.
When locking the doors or closing the trunk/liftgate , the chime
sounds for about ten seconds. Check whether the advanced key has
been left in the vehicle or the
trunk/liftgate .
When attempting to lock the doors by pressing the request switch on
the front doors, and six beep sounds are heard. Check whether the ignition has been
switched off.
Check whether a door is open.
When the KEY indicator light (green) flashes in the instrument cluster. The advanced key battery power is low.
Replace the battery with a new one.
Refer to Advanced Key Maintenance on
page 3-5.
When the KEY warning light (red) remains illuminated in the
instrument cluster. The advanced key is malfunctioning. Park
the vehicle in a safe place, and use the
auxiliary key to continue driving the
vehicle. Have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
3-24
Knowing Your Mazda
Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
Mazda3_8BY6-EA-11F_Edition3 Page102
Thursday, March 1 2012 10:16 AM
Form No.8BY6-EA-11F