2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR trailer

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4Before Driving Your Mazda
Important information about driving your Mazda.
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions ........................................ 4-2Fuel Requirements .................................................................... 4-2
Emission Control System .......................................................... 4-4
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide) ......................................... 4-5
Before Starting the Engine ........................................................... 4-6 Before Getting In ...................................................................... 4-6
After Getting In ......................................................................... 4-6
Driving Tips ................................................................................... 4-7 Break-In Period ......................................................................... 4-7
Money-Saving Suggestions ...................................................... 4-7
Hazardous Driving .................................................................... 4-8
Floor Mat .................................................................................. 4-8
Rocking the Vehicle .................................................................. 4-9
Winter Driving .......................................................................... 4-9
Driving In Flooded Area ......................................................... 4-11
Overloading ............................................................................ 4-12
Driving on Uneven Road ........................................................ 4-13
Turbocharger Information
í.................................................... 4-14
Towing ......................................................................................... 4-15 Trailer Towing ......................................................................... 4-15
4-1íSome models.
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Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
lAscending or descending a slope with a sharp transition anglelAscending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
Your vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use
care and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
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Trailer Towing
The Mazda3 is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda3.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Towing
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lThe detectability of the radar sensors has its limitations. The BSM system may not operate
properly under the following conditions:
lIce, snow, or soil adheres to the rear bumper surface around the radar sensors.lDuring adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow, or under conditions where water is
sprayed.
lThe rear bumper area around the radar sensors is blocked by foreign material (such as
stickers or a bicycle carrier).
lThe radar sensors may not detect all types of vehicles around your vehicle, especially the
following types of vehicles:
lMotorcycleslVehicles with body shapes that radar may not reflect such as a flatbed trailer with no cargo.lVehicles with lower body height such as sports cars.lHave the radar sensors inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any shock is applied to the
rear bumper, even in a minor accident. If the vehicle is driven with a damaged radar sensor, the
system may not operate properly resulting in an accident.
lFor repairs or paintwork around the radar sensors, or replacement of the bumper, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
lThe radar sensors of the BSM system may be regulated under the radio wave related laws of the
country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this system are approved for use in the U.S.A.
(including territories), Canada, and Mexico. If a vehicle with a BSM system is driven in a country
other than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned off using the BSM OFF
switch.
lThe detection area of the system has been determined based on the lane width of general
freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the system may detect vehicles on a
lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning light/beep. On a road with wider lane
width, the system may not detect vehicles on the adjacent lane and may not operate the warning
light/beep.
lOperation of the warning light/beep may be delayed or the system may not operate the warning
light/beep under the following conditions:
lThe vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.lA vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.lThe difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger when
passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short period of
time.
lOn a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.lImmediately after the system has been activated by pressing the BSM OFF switch again after it
has been turned off (BSM OFF indicator light in instrument panel illuminates) by pressing the
switch.
lAlthough the system may detect objects on the road side such as parked vehicles or guardrails and
operate the warning light/beep, it does not indicate a malfunction.
lIf the vehicle is driven on a road with less traffic and few vehicles that the radar sensors can
detect, the system may pause (The BSM OFF indicator light in the instrument panel flashes).
However, it does not indicate a malfunction.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle,
familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings,
from the vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle: Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's
suspension system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure,
handling or steering problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the
distance required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail
completely, particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a
combination of the size of the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation
pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
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Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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SAMPLE
WARNING
Exceeding Axle Weight Rating Limits:Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits is dangerous and
could result in death or serious injury as a result of substandard vehicle handling,
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, or loss of control.
Always keep the vehicle within the axle weight rating limits.
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle: Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to
tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle
damage.
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Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit:
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
(1) Locate the statement“The combined weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs ”on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX ”amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 _
750 (5 × 150) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
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Customer Information
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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T
TiedownHook .......................................... 7-26
Tire Information ................................ 9-24
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...... 5-31 System error activation .............. 5-35
Tire pressure monitoring system
warning light .............................. 5-33
Tires and wheels ......................... 5-35
Tires Flat Tire ........................................ 7-3
Inflation pressure ........................ 8-38
Replacement ............................... 8-40
Rotation ...................................... 8-39
Snow tires .................................. 4-10
Spare tire and tool storage ............ 7-3
Specifications ........................... 10-11
Tire chains .................................. 4-10
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS) ................................... 9-22
Tool ..................................................... 7-3
Towing Description ................................. 7-25
Emergency towing ..................... 7-25
Recreational towing ................... 7-28
Trailer towing ............................. 4-15
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 5-27 TCS/DSC indicator light ............ 5-28
Trailer Towing .................................. 4-15
Trip Meter ......................................... 5-43
Trunk Lid .......................................... 3-42 Inside trunk release lever ............ 3-44
Trunk Light ....................................... 3-43
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 5-69
V
Vanity Mirrors ................................... 6-95
Vehicle Information Labels ............... 10-2
W
Warning Lights ................................. 5-47 ABS ............................................ 5-50
Air bag system ........................... 5-53
Automatic transaxle ................... 5-54
Brake system .............................. 5-49
Charging system ......................... 5-51
Check engine .............................. 5-52
Check fuel cap ........................... 5-53
Door-ajar .................................... 5-54
Engine oil pressure ..................... 5-51
Front seat belt pretensioner
system ........................................ 5-53
High engine coolant
temperature ................................ 5-52
KEY ............................................ 5-57
Low fuel ..................................... 5-53
Low washer fluid level ............... 5-54
Malfunction ................................ 5-50
Seat belt ...................................... 5-54
Tire pressure monitoring
system ........................................ 5-55
Warranty ............................................ 9-15
Washer Fluid ..................................... 8-27
Weights ............................................. 10-8
Wheel Replacement .......................... 8-41
Windows Power windows .......................... 3-46
Windshield Washer ........................... 5-74
Windshield Wipers ............................ 5-71 Blades replacement .................... 8-29
Winter Driving .................................... 4-9
Index
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