2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR Owners Manual

4–51
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-17 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving: The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.

Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow: Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads
is dangerous. The Traction Control
System (TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-53 ).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
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 fl ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 y  In addition to the indicator light
fl ashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
 y On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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4–52
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive maneuvering,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-50 ) and TCS (page
4-51 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-17 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving: The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.
CAUTION


4–53
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
DSC OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
It also illuminates when the DSC OFF
switch is pressed and TCS/DSC is
switched off.
Refer to DSC OFF Switch on page 4-53 .
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The DSC may have a malfunction.
DSC OFF Switch
Press the DSC OFF switch to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The DSC OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will turn off.
NOTE
 y When DSC is on and you attempt to free
the vehicle when it is stuck, or drive
it out of freshly fallen snow, the TCS
(part of the DSC system) will activate.
Depressing the accelerator will not
increase engine power and freeing
the vehicle may be diffi cult. When this
happens, turn off the TCS/DSC.
 y If the TCS/DSC is off when the engine
is turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition is switched ON.
 y Leaving the TCS/DSC on will provide
the best traction.
 y If the DSC OFF switch is pressed and
held for 10 seconds or more, the DSC
OFF switch malfunction detection
function operates and the DSC system
activates automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turns off while the DSC
system is operative.
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*Some models.4–54
When Driving
Fuel Economy Monitor
Fuel Economy Monitor *
For vehicles with type B audio, the Control Status and Fuel Consumption \
are switched and
displayed by operating each icon in the display.
In addition, after completing a trip, the total energy effi ciency to date is displayed in the
ending display when the ending display is turned on.
1. Select the (
) icon on the home screen to display the Applications screen.
2. Select the Fuel Economy Monitor.
3. Operate the commander switch or touch the screen and display the menu.
NOTE
When the menu is displayed by touching the screen, the display is hidden automatically after
6 seconds.
4. Select the icon in the menu and perform the operation. Each icon operate\
s as follows:
Indication on display Control status
Hides the menu display.
Displays the Application screen.
Switches the Fuel Economy Monitor in the order of
Control Status and Effectiveness.
Resets the fuel economy data.
Displays the following SETTING screen. y Ending display on/off switching y On/off switching for function which synchronizes
reset fuel economy data to trip meter (Trip A)
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4–55
When Driving
Fuel Economy Monitor
Fuel Consumption Display
Information regarding the fuel economy is displayed.
Indication on display Control status
Displays the fuel economy for the past 60 minutes.y Displays the fuel economy every minute for the
past 1 to 10 minutes.
y Displays the fuel economy every 10 minutes for
the past 10 to 60 minutes.
Displays the average fuel economy over the past 5 resets and after the current reset.
Calculates the average fuel economy every minute after vehicle travel begins, and displays it.
NOTE
 y  The fuel economy data can be reset by doing the following operation:
 y Press the reset switch from the menu screen. y When the function which synchronizes the fuel economy monitor and the trip meter is
on, reset trip A of the trip meter.
 y Delete the average fuel economy information displayed in the trip comput\
er.
 y After resetting the fuel economy data, “-- -” is displayed while the aver\
age fuel economy
is calculated.
Ending Screen Display
When the ignition is switched off from ON after completing a trip, the actual performance
for the total fuel economy effi ciency is displayed for 5 seconds.
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4–56
When Driving
Power Steering
Power Steering
 y 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 or the steering
vibrates, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
 y The warning light notifi es the driver
of system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
 In addition, the buzzer may also activate depending on the system abnormality or
operation condition.
 Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-17 . Refer to Power Steering Warning Buzzer on page 7-36 .
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.
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*Some models.4–57
When Driving
Cruise Control
Cruise Control *
With cruise control, you can set and automatically maintain any speed of \
more than about
25 km/h (16 mph).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under the following conditions: Using the cruise control under the following conditions is dangerous and could result in
loss of vehicle control.


4–58
When Driving
Cruise Control
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)/Cruise Set Indicator
Light (Green)
The indicator light has two colors.
Cruise Main Indicator Light (Amber)
The indicator light illuminates amber
when the cruise control system is
activated.
Cruise Set Indicator Light (Green)
The indicator light illuminates green when
a cruising speed has been set.
Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, press the ON
switch. The cruise main indicator light
(Amber) illuminates.
To deactivate the system, press the OFF
switch.
The cruise main indicator light (Amber)
turns off.
WARNING
Always turn off the cruise control system
when it is not in use: Leaving the cruise control system in an
activation-ready state while the cruise
control is not in use is dangerous as
the cruise control could unexpectedly
activate if the activation button is
accidentally pressed, and result in loss
of vehicle control and an accident.
To Set Speed
1. Activate the cruise control system by pressing the ON switch. The
cruise main indicator light (Amber)
illuminates.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which must be more than 25 km/h (16 mph).
3. Set the cruise control by pressing the SET
or SET switch at the desired
speed. The cruise control is set at the
moment the SET
or SET switch is
pressed. Release the accelerator pedal
simultaneously. The cruise set indicator
light (Green) illuminates.
NOTE
 y  Release the SET or SET switch at
the desired speed, otherwise the speed
will continue increasing while the SET
switch is pressed and held, and
continue decreasing while the SET
switch is pressed and held (except when
the accelerator pedal is depressed).
 y  On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while
ascending, or speed up while
descending.
 y Cruise control will cancel if the vehicle
speed decreases below 21 km/h (13
mph) when cruise is activated, such as
when climbing a steep grade.
 y Cruise control may cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed,
such as when climbing a long, steep
grade.
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