2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK light

4–111
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA)
When reversing the vehicle from a parking garage, vehicles approaching both sides of the
vehicle are detected to alert the driver of a possible collision by fl ashing the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light and activating the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
beep sound.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA) system operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the R position.
2. If a vehicle approaches which may hit you, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system
warning light fl ashes and the Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM) warning beep sounds
at the same time.
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4–112
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the system may be unable to detect vehicles, or detection
may be delayed.
 


y The vehicle is reversed at a speed of 12 km/h or faster



y The radar is obstructed by objects such as a large vehicle parked adjacently or by a wall.
(Reverse vehicle to position in which radar is not obstructed.)
 
Your vehicle




y A vehicle approaches from straight behind 

Your vehicle




y The vehicle is parked at a highly acute angle

Your vehicle




y Immediately after the system has been activated by pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF switch again after it has been turned off (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF
indicator light in instrument cluster illuminates) by pressing the switch.
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4–113
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
BSM Warning Light
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system alerts the driver to the presence of another
vehicle in an adjacent lane using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the
warning beep while the system is operational.
The warning light is equipped on the left and right door mirrors.
This warning light illuminates for a few seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
Driving forward
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects a vehicle in the detection area while the
vehicle is driven at a speed of about 10 km/h (6.2mph) or more, the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning light illuminates on the side of the vehicle where the rear on-coming vehicle
is detected. A warning indicator light fl ashes when the turn signal lever is operated to the
side where the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights is illuminated to alert the
driver.
Reversing
If vehicles approach from the rear on the left and right, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning lights on both sides fl ash.
NOTE




y If ice or snow adhere to the outer mirror surface, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning light may not be visible.
 


y If the door window glass is tinted, it may affect the visibility of the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning light, making it diffi cult to confi rm the illumination of the light.
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4–114
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
BSM OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates
when the BSM system is turned off by
pressing the BSM OFF switch.
The indicator light fl ashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traffi c and few vehicles that the radar
sensors can detect, the system may pause
(The BSM OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster fl ashes). However, it
does not indicate a malfunction.
BSM OFF Switch
When the BSM OFF switch is pressed, the
BSM system turns off and the BSM OFF
indicator light illuminates.
Press the BSM OFF switch again to turn
on the BSM system. The BSM OFF
indicator light turns off.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched off with the BSM
system turned off, the system becomes
operable automatically when the ignition
is switched ON.
Care of Radar Sensors
The radar sensors are equipped inside the
rear bumper.
4–Door
Radar sensors
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4–115
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
5–Door
Radar sensors
Always keep the bumper surface near the
radar sensor area clean so that the BSM
system operates normally.
Refer to Exterior Care on page 6-63 
NOTE




y The BSM OFF indicator light fl ashes
if the radar sensors cannot operate
normally. If the light remains fl ashing
after cleaning the bumper surface
near the radar sensor area, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 


y For repairs or paintwork around the
radar sensors, or replacement of the
bumper, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
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4–117
When Driving
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
 


y Although the objects which activate the system are 4-wheeled vehicles, the radar sensor
could detect the following objects, determine them to be an obstruction, and operate the
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system.
 


y Objects on the road at the entrance to a curve (including guardrails and snow banks).



y A vehicle appears in the opposite lane while cornering or rounding a curve.



y When crossing a narrow bridge.



y When passing under a low gate or through a tunnel or narrow gate.



y When entering an underground parking area.



y Metal objects, bumps, or protruding objects on the road.



y If you suddenly come close to a vehicle ahead.



y When driving in areas where there is high grass or forage.



y Two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes or bicycles.



y Pedestrians or non-metallic objects such as standing trees.




y When the system operates, the user is notifi ed by the fl ashing warning light and the active
driving display.
 


y The indicator light turns on when the system has a malfunction.
 (page 4-22 )
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4–118
When Driving
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW) Warning Light (Red)
If the Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW) is operating, the warning light
fl ashes.
Collision Warning
If there is the possibility of a collision
with a vehicle or obstruction ahead, the
beep sounds continuously and a warning is
indicated in the display.
Stopping The Forward
Obstruction Warning (FOW)
System Operation
The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
system can be deactivated.
Refer to Personalization Features on page
9-12 .
When the Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW) system is turned off, the Forward
Obstruction Warning (FOW) OFF
indicator light turns on.
NOTE
If the Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW) system operation is turned off, the
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system
operation is turned off simultaneously.
Radar Sensor Handling
The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
radar sensor is installed on the backside of
the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor on page 4-65 .
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*Some models.4–119
When Driving
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS notifi es the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffi c lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC). If it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it notifi es
the driver by fl ashing the LDWS indicator light (green) and operating the LDWS warning
sound.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-63 .
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
LDWS warning light (Amber)/
LDWS indicator light (Green)
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-22 .
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
 


¾ Driving on roads with tight curves.



¾ Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).

The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of cautions and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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