2013 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

Black plate (145,1)
Reducing glare from headlights
Manual day/night mirror
Push the day/night lever forward for day
driving. Pull it back to reduce glare of
headlights from cars at the rear.
Night
Day Day/Night lever
Auto-dimming mirror
The auto-dimming mirror automatically
reduces glare of headlights from cars at
the rear when the ignition is switched ON.
Press the ON/OFF button (
) to cancel
the automatic dimming function. The
indicator light will turn off.
To reactivate the automatic dimming
function, press the ON/OFF button (
).
The indicator light will illuminate.
ON/OFF button
Indicator light
NOTElDo not use glass cleaner or suspend objects
on or around the light sensor. Otherwise,
light sensor sensitivity will be affected and
may not operate normally.
Light sensor
Light sensor
lThe auto-dimmer function is canceled when
the ignition is switched ON and the shift
lever/selector lever is in reverse (R).
Knowing Your Mazda
Steering Wheel and Mirrors
3-67
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page145
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (146,1)
3-68
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page146
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (147,1)
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.
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page147
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (148,1)
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a minimum.
MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
FuelOctane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Premium unleaded fuel 91 [ (R
M)/2 method] or above (96 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
This vehicle is designed for and requires use of premium unleaded fuel. If 91 octane fuel [
(R
M)/2 method] (96RON) is not available, gasoline as low as 87 octane [ (RM)/2
method] (91RON) can be used temporarily for emergency purposes. Use of gasoline lower
than 91 octane [ (R
M)/2 method] (96RON) can decrease performance during its use.
Refueling the vehicle with the correct octane fuel a couple of times will restore vehicle
performance.
SKYACTIV-G 2.0, MZR 2.0 and MZR 2.5
Your Mazda will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
Fuel Octane Rating*(Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [ (R
M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gasoline station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system
to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage.
CAUTION
Ø USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead
to deterioration of the emission control system and or failures.
Ø Your vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol
by volume. Damage to your vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this
recommendation, or if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of
any kind if your vehicle engine is performing poorly.
Ø Never add fuel system additives. Otherwise, the emission control system could be
damaged. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name “Gasohol ”.
4-2
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page148
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (149,1)
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not
be covered by the Mazda warranty.
lGasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol.lGasoline or gasohol containing methanol.lLeaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-3
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page149
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (150,1)
Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission control system (the catalytic converter is part of
this system) that enables your vehicle to comply with existing exhaust emissions
requirements.
WARNING
Never park over or near anything flammable:Parking over or near anything flammable, such as dry grass, is dangerous. Even with
the engine turned off, the exhaust system remains very hot after normal use and
could ignite anything flammable. A resulting fire could cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Ignoring the following precautions could cause lead to accumulate on the catalyst
inside the converter or cause the converter to get very hot. Either condition will
damage the converter and cause poor performance.
ØUSE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Ø Do not drive your Mazda with any sign of engine malfunction.
Ø Do not coast with the ignition switched off.
Ø Do not descend steep grades in gear with the ignition switched off.
Ø Do not operate the engine at high idle for more than 2 minutes.
Ø Do not tamper with the emission control system. All inspections and adjustments
must be made by a qualified technician.
Ø Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.
NOTE
Under U.S. federal law, any modification to the original-equipment emission control system before
the first sale and registration of a vehicle is subject to penalties. In some states, such modification
made on a used vehicle is also subject to penalties.
NOTE
While the engine is off, the sound of a valve opening and closing can be heard at the rear of the right
side of the vehicle, however this does not indicate an abnormality. Your vehicle has a self-checking
device and it operates while the engine is off.
4-4
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page150
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (151,1)
Engine Exhaust (Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle:Engine exhaust gas is dangerous. This gas contains carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless, odorless, and poisonous. When inhaled, it can cause loss of consciousness
and death. If you smell exhaust gas inside your vehicle, keep all windows fully open
and contact an Authorized Mazda Dealer immediately.
Do not run the engine when inside an enclosed area: Running the engine inside an enclosed area, such as a garage, is dangerous. Exhaust
gas, which contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could easily enter the cabin. Loss
of consciousness or even death could occur.
Open the windows or adjust the heating or cooling system to draw fresh air when
idling the engine: Exhaust gas is dangerous. When your vehicle is stopped with the windows closed
and the engine running for a long time even in an open area, exhaust gas, which
contains poisonous carbon monoxide, could enter the cabin. Loss of consciousness or
even death could occur.
Clear snow from underneath and around your vehicle, particularly the tail pipe,
before starting the engine: Running the engine when a vehicle is stopped in deep snow is dangerous. The
exhaust pipe could be blocked by the snow, allowing exhaust gas to enter the cabin.
Because exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide, it could cause loss of
consciousness or even death to occupants in the cabin.
Before Driving Your Mazda
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
4-5
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page151
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H

Black plate (152,1)
Before Getting In
lBe sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
lInspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
lLook under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
lIf you plan to back up, make sure
nothing is in your way.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/clutch fluid,
washer fluid, and other fluid levels should be
inspected. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
lAre all doors closed and locked?lIs the seat adjusted properly?lAre the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
lIs the steering wheel adjusted properly?lIs everyone's seat belt fastened?lCheck all gauges.lCheck all warning lights when the
ignition is switched ON.
lRelease the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
4-6
Before Driving Your Mazda
Before Starting the Engine
Mazda3_8CV6-EA-12H_Edition3 Page152
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:27 AM
Form No.8CV6-EA-12H