2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

4–68
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




¾ Do not drive with your foot held on the
clutch pedal or brake pedal, or hold
the clutch pedal depressed halfway
unnecessarily. Doing so could result in
the following:
 


¾ The clutch and brake parts will wear
out more quickly.
 


¾ The brakes can overheat and
adversely aff ect brake performance.




¾ Always depress the brake pedal with
the right foot. Applying the brakes with
the unaccustomed left foot could slow
your reaction time to an emergency
situation resulting in insuffi cient braking
operation.
 




¾ Wear shoes appropriate for driving in
order to avoid your shoe contacting
the brake pedal when depressing the
accelerator pedal.
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4–69
When Driving
Brake
Parking Brake
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts.
NOTE
For parking in snow, refer to Winter
Driving (page 3-47 ) regarding parking
brake use.
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and then fi rmly
pull the parking brake lever fully upwards
with suffi cient force to hold the vehicle in
a stationary position.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then press
the release button. While holding the
button, lower the parking brake lever all
the way down to the released position.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-22 .
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become worn,
the built-in wear indicators contact the
disc plates. This causes a screeching noise
to warn that the pads should be replaced.
When you hear this noise, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
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4–70
When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not drive with worn disc pads:
Driving with worn disc pads is
dangerous. The brakes could fail and
cause a serious accident. As soon as
you hear a screeching noise consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the brake
pedal with greater force, the brake assist
system provides braking assistance, thus
enhancing braking performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed hard or
depressed more quickly, the brakes apply
more fi rmly.
NOTE




y When the brake pedal is depressed hard
or depressed more quickly, the pedal
will feel softer but the brakes will apply
more fi rmly. This is a normal effect of
the brake assist operation and does not
indicate a malfunction.
 


y When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may be
heard. This is a normal effect of the
brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
 


y The brake assist equipment does not
supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is a function
which assists the driver in accelerating
from a stop while on a slope. When
the driver releases the brake pedal and
depresses the accelerator pedal while
on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
For vehicles with a manual transaxle,
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) operates on a
downward slope when the shift lever is in
the reverse (R) position, and on an upward
slope when the shift lever is in a position
other than the reverse (R) position.
For vehicles with an automatic transaxle,
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) operates on a
downward slope when the shift lever is in
the reverse (R) position, and on an upward
slope when the shift lever is in a forward
gear.
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4–71
When Driving
Brake
WARNING
Do not rely completely on Hill Launch
Assist (HLA):
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is an auxiliary
device for accelerating from a stop
on a slope. The system only operates
for about two seconds and therefore,
relying only on the system, when
accelerating from a stop is dangerous
because the vehicle may move (roll)
unexpectedly and cause an accident.
The vehicle could roll depending on
the vehicle's load or if it is towing
something. In addition, for vehicles
with a manual transaxle, the vehicle
could still roll depending on how the
clutch pedal or the accelerator pedal is
operated.
Always confi rm the safety around the
vehicle before starting to drive the
vehicle.
NOTE
 


y Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate on a gentle slope. In addition,
the gradient of the slope on which the
system will operate changes depending
on the vehicle's load.
 


y Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate if the parking brake is applied,
the vehicle has not stopped completely,
or the clutch pedal is released.
 


y While Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is
operating, the brake pedal may feel
stiff and vibrate, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction.
 


y Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
operate while the TCS/DSC indicator
light is illuminated.
  Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on
page 4-21 .




y Hill Launch Assist (HLA) does not
turn off even if the DSC OFF switch is
pressed to turn off the TCS/DSC.
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*Some models.4–72
When Driving
Brake
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) *
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is designed to reduce damage in the
event of a collision by operating the brake control (SCBS brake) when the system's laser
sensor detects a vehicle ahead and determines that a collision with the vehicle ahead is
unavoidable. It may also be possible to avoid a collision if the relative speed between your
vehicle and the vehicle ahead is less than about 15 km/h (9.3 mph).
In addition, when the driver depresses the brake pedal while the system is in the operation
range at about 4 to 30 km/h (2 to 18 mph), the brakes are applied fi rmly and quickly to
assist. (Brake Assist (SCBS brake assist))
Laser sensor
WARNING
Do not rely on the Smart City Brake Support System (SCBS) as a substitute for safe
driving:
The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system cannot compensate for unsafe and reckless
driving, excessive speed, tailgating (following another vehicle too closely), and driving on
slippery roads such as wet, snowy, and icy roads (reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface). You can still have an accident.

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4–73
When Driving
Brake
Do not rely completely on the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system:
 


¾ The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is only designed to reduce damage in the
event of a collision. Over reliance on the system leading to the accelerator pedal or
brake pedal being mistakenly operated could result in an accident.
 


¾ The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) is a system which operates in response to a
vehicle ahead. The system may not be able to detect or react to 2-wheeled vehicles or
pedestrians.
 


¾ The laser sensor for the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is installed near the
rearview mirror. To assure the correct operation of the Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS), heed the following cautions.
 

¾
 Do not apply stickers to the surface of the windshield near the laser sensor
(including transparent stickers). Otherwise, the laser sensor may not be able to
detect vehicles or obstructions ahead which could result in an accident.
 

¾
 Do not disassemble the laser sensor.


¾
 If cracks or damage caused by fl ying gravel or debris is visible near the laser sensor,
stop using the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system immediately and have your
vehicle inspected by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If the vehicle continues to be
driven with cracks or scratch marks left on the windshield near the laser sensor, the
system may operate unnecessarily and cause an unexpected accident.
  Refer to Stopping The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) System Operation on page
4-78 .
 

¾
 When replacing the windshield wipers or windshield, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.

Do not modify the suspension:
If the vehicle height or inclination is changed, the system will not be able to correctly
detect vehicles or obstructions ahead. This will result in the Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS) system not operating normally or mistakenly operating, which could cause a
serious accident.

Turn off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) when the vehicle is running on a chassis
roller or being towed:
Turn off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system to prevent mistaken operation when
the vehicle is running on a chassis roller or being towed. See the next page on how to turn
off the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS).
Refer to Stopping The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) System Operation on page 4-78 .
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4–74
When Driving
Brake
CAUTION
 


¾ When driving off -road in areas where there is grass or forage, it is recommended that the
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system be turned off .




¾ Always use tires for all wheels that are of the specifi ed size, and the same manufacturer,
brand, and tread pattern. In addition, do not use tires with signifi cantly diff erent wear
patterns on the same vehicle as the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system may not
operate normally.
 


¾ The laser sensor includes a function for detecting a soiled windshield and informing the
driver, however, depending on the conditions, it may not detect plastic shopping bags, ice
or snow on the windshield. In such cases, the system cannot accurately determine a vehicle
or obstruction ahead and may not be able to operate normally. Always drive carefully and
pay attention to the road ahead.
NOTE
 


y The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system will operate under the following
conditions.
 


y The engine is running.



y The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) indicator light does not illuminate.



y The vehicle speed is between about 4 to 30 km/h (2 to 18 mph).



y The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is not turned off.



y The DSC operation is not turned off using the DSC OFF switch.



y The DSC is not malfunctioning.



y The driver is not deliberately performing driving operations (accelerator pedal,
steering wheel, and braking operations).
 


y The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) detects a vehicle ahead by emitting a near-infrared
laser beam and receiving the beam refl ected off the refl ector of the vehicle ahead, and
then using it for the measurement. Consequently, the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
may not operate under the following conditions:
 


y Refl ection of the laser is poor due to the shape of the vehicle ahead.



y The vehicle ahead is signifi cantly dirty.



y Under bad weather condition, such as rain, fog and snow.



y The window washer is being used or the windshield wipers are not used when it's
raining.
 


y The windshield is dirty.



y The steering wheel is turned completely left or right, or the vehicle is accelerated
rapidly and comes close to the vehicle ahead.
 


y Trucks with low loading platforms, vehicles traveling at extremely low speeds, and
vehicles with a high profi le.
 


y Vehicles with certain shapes such as a vehicle carrier.
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*Some models.4–75
When Driving
Brake
 


y Under the following conditions, the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system may not
operate normally.
 


y Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat.



y When there is the possibility of partial contact with a vehicle or obstruction ahead.



y When driving on continuously curving roads, entering and exiting curves, and unstable
driving due to a vehicle accident or breakdown in a driving lane.
 


y Elongated luggage or cargo is loaded onto installed roof rails and covers the laser
sensor.
 


y Exhaust gas from the vehicle in front, sand, snow, and water vapor rising from
manholes and grating, and water splashed into the air.
 


y When towing a malfunctioning vehicle.




y In the following cases, the laser sensor may inadvertently determine that there is a
vehicle ahead and the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system may operate.
 


y Objects on the road at the entrance to a curve.



y Vehicles passing in the opposite lane while making a curve.



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



y When passing through a toll gate.



y When passing under a vinyl curtain or fl ag.



y Plastic objects such as pylons.



y Two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, animals or standing trees.




y If the vehicle is driven with some of the tires having signifi cant wear, the system may not
operate correctly. If the tires are returned to a normal state and the Smart City Brake
Support (SCBS) indicator light still illuminates, have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 


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.
 Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-22 .
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