Black plate (201,1)
Warning/Indicator Lights
Warning/Indicator lights will appear in any of the highlighted areas
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Brake System Warning Light 5-43
Charging System Warning Light 5-45
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light 5-45
Check Engine Light 5-46
High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Red) 5-46
ABS Warning Light 5-44
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light 5-47
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
5-41
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page201
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (202,1)
Signal Warning/Indicator Lights Page
Low Fuel Warning Light 5-47
Check Fuel Cap Warning Light 5-47
Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep 5-47
Door-Ajar Warning Light 5-49
Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 5-49
Automatic Transaxle Warning Light 5-49
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light 5-50
KEY Warning Light (Red)/KEY Indicator Light (Green) 5-52
Security Indicator Light 5-53
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light 5-54
Shift Position Indicator Light 5-54
Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light (Blue) 5-54
TCS/DSC Indicator Light 5-54
DSC OFF Indicator Light 5-55
AFS OFF Indicator Light 5-55
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green) 5-55
5-42
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page202
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (206,1)
qCheck Engine Light
This indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is switched ON and turns off
when the engine is started.
If this light illuminates while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem. It is
important to note the driving conditions
when the light illuminated and consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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 (Red)
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.
5-46
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (214,1)
qHeadlight High-Beam Indicator
Light
This light indicates one of two things:lThe high-beam headlights are on.lThe turn signal lever is in the flash-to-
pass position.
qShift Position Indicator Light
(Automatic Transaxle)
This indicates the selected shift position.
Gear position indicator
In manual mode, the“M”of the shift
position indicator illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear displays in
the gear position indicator.
qLow Engine Coolant Temperature
Indicator Light (Blue)
When the ignition is switched ON, the
light illuminates momentarily and then
turns off.
The light illuminates continuously when
the engine coolant temperature is low and
turns off after the engine has reached
normal operating temperature.
NOTE
If the low engine coolant temperature indicator
light remains illuminated after the engine has
been sufficiently warmed up, the temperature
sensor could have a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qTCS/DSC Indicator Lightí
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS or DSC may
have a malfunction and they may not
operate correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
5-54
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page214
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (240,1)
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.
qCooling (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
5-46).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the warning light is
illuminated or flashing, turn the air
conditioning off (page 7-15).
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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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (361,1)
Overheating
If the High engine coolant temperature
warning light illuminates, the vehicle
loses power, or you hear a loud knocking
or pinging noise, the engine is probably
too hot.
WARNING
Turn off the ignition switch and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
Open the hood ONLY after steam is no
longer escaping from the engine:
Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you.
If the High engine coolant temperature
warning light illuminates:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Turn off the air conditioner.
5. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine.
Wait until the steam dissipates, then
open the hood and start the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
CAUTION
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the
engine temperature will increase.
Stop the engine and call an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
6. Make sure the cooling fan is operating,
then turn off the engine after the
temperature has decreased.
7. When cool, check the coolant reservoir
level.
If it's low, look for coolant leaks from
the radiator and hoses.
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
7-15
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (379,1)
Maintenance IntervalNumber of months or kilometers (miles), whichever comes first
Months 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48
×1000 km 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96
×1000 miles 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
CHASSIS and BODY
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I
Brake fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Disc brakesIIII
Tire (Rotation) Rotate every 8,000 km (5,000 miles)
Tire inflation pressure and tire wearIIIIIIIIIIII
Steering operation and linkages I I
Power steering fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
Front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel
bearing axial playII
Driveshaft dust boots I I
Bolts and nuts on chassis and body T T
Exhaust system and heat shields Inspect every 72,000 km (45,000 miles) or 5 years
All locks and hingesLLLLLLLLLLLL
Washer fluid levelIIIIIIIIIIII
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
Cabin air filter Replace every 40,000 km (25,000 miles) or 2 years
Chart symbols:
I:Inspect: Inspect and clean, repair, adjust, fill up, or replace if necessary.
R:Replace
L:Lubricate
T:Tighten
Remarks:
*1 Use FL22 type coolant in vehicles with the inscription“FL22”on the radiator cap itself or the surrounding
area. Use FL22 when replacing the coolant.
*2 According to state/provincial and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenance on these items will not
void your emissions warranties. However, Mazda recommends that all maintenance services be performed at
the recommended time or mileage/kilometer period to ensure long-term reliability.
*3 If the vehicle is operated primarily under any of the following conditions, replace the spark plugs at every
96,000 km (60,000 miles) or shorter.
a) Repeated short-distance driving
b) Extended periods of idling or low-speed operation
c) Driving for long periods in cold temperatures or extremely humid climates
Maintenance and Care
Scheduled Maintenance
8-7
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (393,1)
Engine Coolant
qInspecting Coolant Level
WARNING
Do not use a match or live flame in the
engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT:
A hot engine is dangerous. If the
engine has been running, parts of the
engine compartment can become
very hot. You could be burned.
Carefully inspect the engine coolant
in the coolant reservoir, but do not
open it.
Switch the ignition to off and
make sure the fan is not running before
attempting to work near the cooling
fan:
Working near the cooling fan when it
is running is dangerous. The fan
could continue running indefinitely
even if the engine has stopped and
the engine compartment temperature
is high. You could be hit by the fan
and seriously injured.
Do not remove the cooling
system cap when the engine and
radiator are hot:
When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury.
NOTE
Changing the coolant should be done by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Inspect the antifreeze protection and
coolant level in the coolant reservoir at
least once a year―at the beginning of the
winter season―and before traveling
where temperatures may drop below
freezing.
Inspect the condition and connections of
all cooling system and heater hoses.
Replace any that are swollen or
deteriorated.
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the MAX and MIN
marks on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cool.
If it's at or near MIN, add enough coolant
to the coolant reservoir to provide
freezing and corrosion protection and to
bring the level to MAX.
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
8-21
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Form No.8BM5-EA-10F