2014 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK trailer

*Some models.3–1
3Before Driving
Use of various features, including keys, doors, mirrors and windows.


Keys ...................................................... 3-2
Keys ............................................... 3-2
Keyless Entry System .................... 3-3
Advanced Keyless Entry System ........ 3-9
Advanced Keyless Entry
System
* ........................................... 3-9
Operational Range ....................... 3-10
Doors and Locks ................................ 3-11
Door Locks ................................... 3-11
Liftgate/Trunk Lid ........................ 3-21
Inside Trunk Release Lever
(4-Door)
* ...................................... 3-25
Fuel and Emission ............................. 3-27
Fuel and Engine Exhaust
Precautions ................................... 3-27
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap ................ 3-30
Steering Wheel................................... 3-32
Steering Wheel ............................. 3-32
Mirrors ............................................... 3-33
Mirrors ......................................... 3-33
Windows ............................................. 3-36
Power Windows ........................... 3-36
Moonroof
* ................................... 3-39 Security System ................................. 3-41
Modifi cation and Add-On
Equipment .................................... 3-41
Immobilizer System ..................... 3-41
Theft-Deterrent System
* .............. 3-43
Driving Tips ....................................... 3-45
Break-In Period ............................ 3-45
Money-Saving Suggestions ......... 3-45
Hazardous Driving ....................... 3-46
Floor Mat ..................................... 3-46
Rocking the Vehicle ..................... 3-47
Winter Driving ............................. 3-47
Driving In Flooded Area .............. 3-49
Overloading .................................. 3-50
Driving on Uneven Road ............. 3-51
Towing ................................................ 3-52
Trailer Towing .............................. 3-52
Recreational Towing .................... 3-52
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

3–51
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffl er(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
 


y Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle



y Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transition angle
This vehicle is equipped with low profi le tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and wheels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through potholes.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

3–52
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing
The Mazda3 is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda3.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page 7-21 )
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-22 ) and
carefully follow the instructions.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–67
When Driving
Radar Sensor
NOTE
 


y In the following cases, the radar sensor may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or
obstructions.
 


y The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not refl ect radio waves effectively, such as
an unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
 


y Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for refl ecting radio waves.



y Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield.
 


y The trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger
seats are occupied.
 


y Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem.



y During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms.



y When driving near facilities or objects emitting strong radio waves.




y In the following cases, the radar sensor may detect vehicles in the opposite lane or
surrounding obstructions, or it may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or obstructions.
 


y The beginning and end of a curve.



y Roads with continuous curves.



y Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures.



y The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot.



y The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damage. 



y Roads with repeated up and down slopes



y Driving on poor roads or unpaved roads.



y The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extremely short.



y A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.




y To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specifi ed size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with signifi cantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle. (Including
the temporary spare tire)
 


y If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly.



y When driving on roads with little traffi c and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the
radar sensor to detect, Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/
SCBS) indicator light temporarily illuminates, however, this does not indicate a problem.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–10 8
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is designed to assist the driver by monitoring
blind spots on both sides of the vehicle to the rear in certain situations such as when
changing lanes on roads and freeways or reversing the vehicle from a parking garage.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System consists of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
and Rear Cross Traffi c Alert (RCTA).
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system. Always look over
your shoulder before changing lanes or reversing the vehicle from a parking garage:
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system can assist the driver in confi rming the safety of
the surroundings but is not a complete substitute. 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.
NOTE
 


y The detectability of the radar sensors has its limitations. The Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) System may not operate properly under the following conditions:
 


y Ice, snow, or soil adheres to the rear bumper surface around the radar sensors.



y During adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow, or under conditions where
water is sprayed.
 


y The rear bumper area around the radar sensors is blocked by foreign material (such as
stickers or a bicycle carrier).
 


y The radar sensors do not detect human, animal, shopping cart, bicycle, or static objects
such as fences.
 


y The radar sensors may not detect all types of vehicles around your vehicle, especially the
following types of vehicles:
 


y Motorcycles



y Vehicles with body shapes that radar may not refl ect such as a fl atbed trailer with no
cargo.
 


y Vehicles with lower body height such as sports cars.




y Although the system may detect objects on the road side such as parked vehicles or
guardrails and operate the warning light/beep, it does not indicate a malfunction.
 


y 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 Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light
in the instrument cluster fl ashes). However, it does not indicate a malfunction.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

4–110
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
NOTE
 


y The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) does not operate when the vehicle speed is lower than
about 10 km/h (6.2 mph).
 


y The detection area of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) has been determined based on
the lane width of general freeways. Therefore on a road with a narrower lane width, the
system may detect vehicles on a lane next to the adjacent lane and operate the warning
light/beep. On a road with wider lane width, the system may not detect vehicles on the
adjacent lane and may not operate the warning light/beep.
 


y Under the following conditions, the system may be unable to detect vehicles, or detection
may be delayed.
 


y The vehicle accelerates from a standing-start with a vehicle alongside.



y A vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.



y The difference in vehicle speed between your vehicle and another vehicle is larger
when passing or being passed, and the vehicle passes the detection area within a short
period of time.
 


y On a steep incline, or when there is a difference in height between lanes.



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.
 


y(Automatic transaxle vehicles)
 The shift lever is shifted to the R position, or directly after being shifted from the R
position.
 


y The system may not operate normally when towing a trailer. Turn off the system by
operating the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch when towing a trailer.
 


y The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffi c Alert function when the shift lever (Manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (Automatic transaxle) is shifted to the R position.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

8–35
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will aff ect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to keep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certifi cation Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding infl ation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certifi cation and Tire and Load Information labels.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD

8–41
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit-
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting fi gure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be fi ve 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
/C\FCA&('#*A'FKVKQPKPFD