2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR engine

4–46
When Driving
Brake
Brake System
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off , fi nd a safe place to stop: Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more eff ort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if
you pump the brake. This will cause
longer stopping distances or even an
accident.

Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills: Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying
the brakes for long distances is
dangerous. This causes overheated
brakes, resulting in longer stopping
distances or even total brake failure.
This could cause loss of vehicle
control and a serious accident. Avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Dry off
brakes that have become
wet by driving slowly, releasing the
accelerator pedal and lightly applying
the brakes several times until the brake
performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous.
Increased stopping distance or the
vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious
accident. Light braking will indicate
whether the brakes have been aff ected.
CAUTION


4–50
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-17 .
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
 y Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
 y The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
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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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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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5–2
Interior Features
Climate Control System
Operating Tips
 y Operate the climate control system with
the engine running.
 y  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.
 y  Clear all obstructions such as leaves,
snow and ice from the hood and the air
inlet in the cowl grille to improve the
system effi ciency.
 y Use the climate control system to defog
the windows and dehumidify the air.
 y  The recirculate mode should be used
when driving through tunnels or while in
a traffi c jam, or when you would like to
shut off outside air for quick cooling of
the interior.
 y  Use the outside air mode for ventilation
or windshield defrosting.
 y  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.
 y  Run the air conditioner about 10 minutes
at least once a month to keep internal
parts lubricated.
 y  Have the air conditioner checked before
the weather gets hot. Lack of refrigerant
may make the air conditioner less
effi cient.
 The refrigerant specifi cations are
indicated on a label attached to the
inside of the engine compartment. Check
the label before refi lling the refrigerant.
If the wrong type of refrigerant is used,
it could result in a serious malfunction
of the air conditioner.
 For details, consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Label
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5–7
Interior Features
Climate Control System
CAUTION
If the air conditioner is used while
driving up long hills or in heavy
traffi c, monitor the engine coolant
temperature warning light to see if it is
illuminated or fl ashing (page 4-16 ).
The air conditioner may cause engine
overheating. If the warning light is
illuminated or fl ashing, turn the air
conditioning off (page 7-19 ).
NOTE
 y When 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 turn the fan control dial fully
clockwise.
 y If warmer air is desired at fl oor level,
set the mode selector dial at the
position and adjust the temperature
control dial to maintain maximum
comfort.
 y The air to the fl oor is warmer than air
to the face (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the extreme hot or
cold position).
Ventilation
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.
Windshield 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.
4. If dehumidifi ed heating is desired, turn
on the air conditioner.
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
 y  For maximum defrosting, turn on the air
conditioner, set the temperature control
dial to the extreme hot position, and
turn the fan control dial fully clockwise.
 y If warm air is desired at the fl oor, set the
mode selector dial to the
position. y In the or position, the air
conditioner is automatically turned on
and the outside air mode is
automatically selected to defrost the
windshield. In the
or position, the
outside air mode cannot be changed to
the recirculated air mode.
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