Black plate (161,1)
5Driving Your Mazda
Explanation of instruments and controls.
Starting and Driving ..................................................................... 5-2
Ignition Switch .......................................................................... 5-2
Starting the Engine .................................................................... 5-4
Turning Off the Engine ............................................................. 5-5
Brake System ............................................................................ 5-5
Manual Transaxle Operation ................................................... 5-11
Automatic Transaxle Controls ................................................ 5-13
Power Steering ........................................................................ 5-20
Cruise Control
í...................................................................... 5-21
Traction Control System (TCS)í........................................... 5-26
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)í........................................ 5-27
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemí......................................... 5-30
Instrument Cluster and Indicators ............................................ 5-36
Meters and Gauges .................................................................. 5-36
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beep Sounds ............................ 5-41
Warning/Indicator Lights ........................................................ 5-41
Beep Sounds ........................................................................... 5-57
Switches and Controls ................................................................ 5-59
Lighting Control ..................................................................... 5-59
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ............................................... 5-64
Fog Lights
í............................................................................ 5-65
Windshield Wipers and Washer .............................................. 5-65
Rear Window Wiper and Washer (5 Door) ............................. 5-69
Rear Window Defroster ........................................................... 5-70
Horn ........................................................................................ 5-71
Hazard Warning Flasher .......................................................... 5-71
5-1íSome models.
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page161
Monday, July 26 2010 1:52 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (200,1)
qDashboard Illumination
Rotate the knob to adjust the brightness of
the instrument cluster and other
illuminations in the dashboard.
NOTE
lThe brightness of dashboard illuminations
can be adjusted when the headlight switch
is in the
orposition.lWhen the dashboard illumination
brightness cannot be adjusted any more, a
beep sound will be heard.
l(Black-out meter)
The brightness of the instrument cluster
illumination can be adjusted when the
headlight switch is in any position.
Bright Dim
Canceling the illumination dimmer
When the headlight switch is in the
orposition, the illumination of the
instrument cluster and the information
display dims.
When driving on snowy or foggy roads,
or in other situations when the instrument
cluster or information display's visibility
is reduced due to glare from surrounding
brightness, cancel the illumination
dimmer and increase the illumination
intensity.To cancel the illumination dimmer, press
the dashboard illumination knob.
NOTE
lThis symbol () indicates the knob to
adjust the brightness of the dashboard
illumination.
lIf the illumination dimmer is cancelled, the
instrument cluster and the information
display will not dim when the headlight
switch is turned to the
orposition
again. Press the dashboard illumination
knob to activate the illumination dimmer.
5-40
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page200
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (225,1)
Fog Lightsí
Use this switch to turn on the fog lights.
They help you to see as well as to be seen.
To turn the fog lights on, rotate the fog
light switch to the
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
position before turning on the fog lights.
Fog light switch
To turn them off, rotate the fog light
switch to the OFF position or turn the
headlight switch to the
or OFF
position.
NOTE
lThe fog lights will turn off when the
headlights are set at high beam.
l(With auto-light control)
If the fog light switch is in the ON position
and the headlight switch is in the AUTO
position, the fog lights will be turned on
when the headlights, the exterior lights and
dashboard illumination are automatically
turned on.
Windshield Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON.
WARNING
Use only windshield washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident.
Only use windshield washer fluid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions:
Using windshield washer fluid
without anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions is
dangerous as it could freeze on the
windshield and block your vision
which could cause an accident.
In addition, make sure the
windshield is sufficiently warmed
using the defroster before spraying
the washer fluid.
Driving Your Mazda
Switches and Controls
5-65íSome models. Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page225
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (230,1)
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster clears frost,
fog, and thin ice from the rear window.
The ignition must be switched ON.
Press the switch to turn on the rear
window defroster. The rear window
defroster operates for about 15 minutes
and turns off automatically.
The indicator light illuminates during
operation.
To turn off the rear window defroster
before the 15 minutes has elapsed, press
the switch again.
Fully Automatic Type Air-Conditioning
Indicator light
Manual Type Air-Conditioning
Indicator light
CAUTION
Do not use sharp instruments or
window cleaners with abrasives to
clean the inside of the rear window
surface. They may damage the
defroster grid inside the window.
NOTE
This defroster is not designed for melting snow.
If there is an accumulation of snow on the rear
window, remove it before using the defroster.
qMirror Defrosterí
To turn on the mirror defrosters, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defroster switch (page 5-70).
5-70
Driving Your Mazda
íSome models.
Switches and Controls
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page230
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (234,1)
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
If 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
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page234
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
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
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page240
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (241,1)
qVentilation
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air mode.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
qWindshield Defrosting and Defogging
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
3. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
WARNING
Do not defog the windshield using the
position with the temperature
control set to the cold position:
Using the
position with the
temperature control set to the cold
position is dangerous as it will cause
the outside of the windshield to fog
up. Your vision will be hampered,
which could lead to a serious
accident. Set the temperature control
to the hot or warm position when
using the
position.NOTE
lFor maximum defrosting, set the
temperature control dial to the extreme hot
position and the fan control dial to position
4.
lIf warm air is desired at the floor, set the
mode selector dial to the
position.lIn the,orposition, 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.
qDehumidifying (With Air
Conditioner)í
Operate the air conditioner in cool or cold
weather to help defog the windshield and
side windows.
1. Set the mode selector dial to the
desired position.
2. Set the air intake selector to the outside
air mode.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4. Set the fan control dial to the desired
speed.
5. Turn on the air conditioner by pressing
the A/C switch.
NOTE
One of the functions of the air conditioner is
dehumidifying the air and, to use this function,
the temperature does not have to be set to cold.
Therefore, set the temperature control dial to
the desired position (hot or cold) and turn on
the air conditioner when you want to
dehumidify the cabin air.
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
6-9íSome models. Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page241
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F
Black plate (244,1)
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.
6-12
Interior Comfort
Climate Control System
Mazda3_8BM5-EA-10F_Edition2 Page244
Monday, July 26 2010 1:53 PM
Form No.8BM5-EA-10F