2012 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK power steering

Black plate (182,1)
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 steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
q Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not allow the vehicle to move in
reverse on an up-slope while the
selector lever is in a forward gear
position, or move forward on a down-
slope while the selector lever is in the
reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine will stop,
causing the loss of the power brake
and power steering functions, and
make it difficult to control the vehicle
which could result in an accident.
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 theload 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.
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Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

Black plate (183,1)
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. 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 at slow speeds 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

Black plate (211,1)
SignalWarning/Indicator Lights Page
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-60
BSM OFF Indicator Light 5-61
Lights-On Indicator Light5-61
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light5-61
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights5-62
qBrake System Warning Light
This warning has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates when the parking
brake is applied with the ignition switched
to START or ON. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the light stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, you may have a brake
problem.
Drive to the side of the road and park off
the right-of-way. You may notice that the pedal is harder to
depress or that it may go closer to the
floor. In either case, it will take longer to
stop the vehicle.
1. With the engine stopped, open the
hood and check the brake fluid level
immediately, and then add fluid if
required (page 8-24).
2. After adding fluid, check the light again.
If the warning light remains on, or if the
brakes do not operate properly, do not
drive the vehicle. Have it towed to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Even if the light turns off, have your
brake system inspected as soon as
possible by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
Having to add brake fluid is sometimes an
indicator of leakage. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible even if the
brake light is no longer illuminated.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

Black plate (223,1)
qBSM OFF Indicator Lightí
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates
when the BSM system is turned off by
pressing the BSM OFF switch.
The indicator light flashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If 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.
qLights-On Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
exterior lights and dashboard illumination
are on.
qPower Steering Malfunction
Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON, and turns off
when the engine is started.
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 at slow speeds 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.
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-61íSome models.
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

Black plate (294,1)
Audio Control Switch
Operation
í
When the audio unit is turned on,
operation of the audio unit from the
steering wheel is possible.
NOTE
Because the audio unit will be turned off under
the following conditions, the switches will be
inoperable.
lWhen the ignition is switched off.lWhen the power button on the audio unit is
pressed and the audio unit is turned off.
Without Bluetooth Hands-Free
With Bluetooth Hands-Free
Talk buttonPick-up buttonTalk button
Hang-up button
Pick-up button
NOTElThe talk button, pick-up button, and hang-
up button are operable with the audio unit
turned off.
lMazda has installed this system to prevent
distraction while driving the vehicle and
using audio controls on the dashboard.
Always make safe driving your first priority.
q
Adjusting the Volume
To increase the volume, press up the
volume switch.
To decrease the volume, press down the
volume switch.
Without Bluetooth Hands-Free
With Bluetooth Hands-Free
6-56
Interior Comfort
íSome models.
Audio System
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

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2. Pass the connection plug cord throughthe cutout of the console and insert the
plug into the auxiliary jack.
Plug
WARNING
Do not allow the connection plug cord
to get tangled with the parking brake
or the shift lever: Allowing the plug cord to become
tangled with the parking brake or
the shift lever is dangerous as it
could interfere with driving, resulting
in an accident.
CAUTION
Do not place objects or apply force to
the auxiliary jack with the plug
connected.
NOTE
lInsert the plug to the auxiliary jack
securely.
lInsert or remove the plug with the plug
perpendicular to the auxiliary jack hole.
lInsert or remove the plug by holding its
base.
To listen to a portable audio unit
1. Switch the ignition to ACC or ON.
2. Press the power/volume dial to turn the audio system on. 3. Press the AUX button (
) of the
audio unit or the mode switch (
)
of the audio control switches on the
steering wheel to change to the AUX
mode.
Audio Unit Audio Control
Switches
NOTElSet the volume of the portable audio unit to
the maximum within the range that the
sound does not become distorted, then
adjust the volume using the power/volume
dial of the audio unit or the up/down switch
of the audio control switch.
lAudio adjustments other than audio volume
can only be done using the portable audio
device.
lIf the connection plug is pulled out from the
auxiliary jack while in AUX mode, noise
may occur.
6-60
Interior Comfort
Audio System
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Black plate (318,1)
qReceiving an Incoming Call
1. Prompt: “Incoming call, press the
pickup button to answer ”.
2. To accept the call, press the pick-up button.
To reject the call, press the hang-up
button.
Talk button
Pick-up buttonTalk button
Hang-up button
Pick-up button
q
Hanging Up a Call
Press the hang-up button during the call.
A beep sound will confirm that call is
ended.
qVolume Adjustment
The power/volume dial of the audio unit
is used to adjust the volume. Turn the dial
to the right to increase volume, to the left
to decrease it.
NOTElThe volume can also be adjusted using the
volume button on the steering wheel.
lThe music volume of the audio unit cannot
be adjusted while Bluetooth Hands-Free is
being used.
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Interior Comfort
Bluetooth Hands-Free
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F

Black plate (383,1)
8Maintenance and Care
How to keep your Mazda in top condition.
Introduction .................................................................................. 8-2Introduction ............................................................................... 8-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................................ 8-3 Scheduled Maintenance (USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico) ....... 8-3
Scheduled Maintenance (Mexico) ............................................. 8-8
Owner Maintenance ................................................................... 8-15 Owner Maintenance Schedule ................................................ 8-15
Owner Maintenance Precautions ............................................. 8-16
Engine Compartment Overview .............................................. 8-17
Engine Oil ............................................................................... 8-19
Engine Coolant ....................................................................... 8-22
Brake/Clutch Fluid .................................................................. 8-24
Power Steering Fluid ............................................................... 8-25
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (ATF)
í........................................ 8-26
Washer Fluid ........................................................................... 8-27
Body Lubrication .................................................................... 8-28
Wiper Blades ........................................................................... 8-29
Battery ..................................................................................... 8-33
Tires ........................................................................................ 8-37
Light Bulbs ............................................................................. 8-44
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-56
Appearance Care ........................................................................ 8-63 How to Minimize Environmental Paint Damage .................... 8-63
Exterior Care ........................................................................... 8-65
Interior Care ............................................................................ 8-69
8-1íSome models.
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Form No.8BY7-EC-11F