2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

3–47
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Rocking the Vehicle
WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at more than
56 km/h (35 mph), and do not allow
anyone to stand behind a wheel when
pushing the vehicle: When the vehicle is stuck, spinning the
wheels at high speed is dangerous.
The spinning tire could overheat and
explode. This could cause serious
injuries.
CAUTION
Too much rocking may cause engine
overheating, transaxle failure, and tire
damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand or mud, depress the accelerator
slightly and slowly move the shift lever
from 1 (D) to R.
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, fl ares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag of
sand or salt.
Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer to check
the following:
 y  Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in the
radiator.
 Refer to Engine Coolant on page 6-29 . y  Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
 y  Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in (page 6-27 ).
 y  Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
 y  Use washer fl uid made with antifreeze—
but do not use engine coolant antifreeze
for washer fl uid (page 6-31 ).
NOTE
 y  Do not use the parking brake in freezing
weather as it may freeze. Instead, shift
to P with an automatic transaxle and to
1 or R with a manual transaxle. Block
the rear wheels.
 y Remove snow before driving. Snow left
on the windshield is dangerous as it
could obstruct vision.
 y Do not apply excessive force to a
window scraper when removing ice or
frozen snow on the mirror glass and
windshield.
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3–48
Before Driving
Driving Tips
 y Never use warm or hot water for
removing snow or ice from windows and
mirrors as it could result in the glass
cracking.
 y Drive slowly. Braking performance
can be adversely affected if snow or
ice adheres to the brake components. If
this situation occurs, drive the vehicle
slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal
and lightly applying the brakes several
times until the brake performance
returns to normal.
Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Do not go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph)
while driving with snow tires. Infl ate snow
tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2 , 4.3 psi) more
than recommended on the tire pressure
label (driver's door frame), but never
more than the maximum cold-tire pressure
shown on the tires.
The vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates you
may fi nd it necessary to replace them with
snow tires during the winter months to
further improve traction on snow and ice
covered roads.
WARNING
Use only the same size and type tires
(snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four
wheels: Using tires diff erent in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling
could be greatly aff ected and result in
an accident.
CAUTION
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
Tire Chains
Check local regulations before using tire
chains.
CAUTION


3–49
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Installing the chains
1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers remove them, otherwise the
chain bands will scratch them.
2. Secure the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
3. Retighten the chains after driving 1/2—1 km (1/4—1/2 mile). Driving In Flooded Area
WARNING
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
Do not drive the vehicle on fl ooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from
water absorption. If the vehicle has
been immersed in water, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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3–50
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Overloading
WARNING
Be careful not to overload your vehicle: The gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
and the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of the vehicle are on the
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label
on the driver's door frame. Exceeding
these ratings can cause an accident
or vehicle damage. You can estimate
the weight of the load by weighing the
items (or people) before putting them
in the vehicle.
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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 transiti\
on 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 w\
heels 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 pothole\
s.
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3–52
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing
YourMazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
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.
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*Some models.4–1
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.


Start/Stop Engine ................................ 4-4 Ignition Switch ............................... 4-4
Starting the Engine ......................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off ................ 4-10
Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-11 Meters and Gauges ....................... 4-11
Active Driving Display
* ............... 4-18
Warning/Indicator Lights ............. 4-20
Transaxle ............................................ 4-26 Manual Transaxle Operation ........ 4-26
Automatic Transaxle Controls ...... 4-29
Switches and Controls ...................... 4-40 Lighting Control ........................... 4-40
High Beam Control System
(HBC)
*.......................................... 4-47
Fog Lights* ................................... 4-50
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ...... 4-50
Windshield Wipers and Washer ...... 4-51
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
*......................................... 4-55
Rear Window Defogger ............... 4-56
Horn ............................................. 4-57
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 4-58
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
* ......................................... 4-58
Forward Sensing Camera ................. 4-62 Forward Sensing Camera
* ............ 4-62 Radar Sensor ..................................... 4-64
Radar Sensor ................................ 4-64
Brake .................................................. 4-67 Brake System ............................... 4-67
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ............ 4-69
Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS)
* ........................................ 4-71
ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-78
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ...... 4-78
Traction Control System (TCS) ...... 4-79
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) ........................................... 4-80
i-ELOOP ............................................ 4-82 i-ELOOP
* ..................................... 4-82
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-85 Fuel Economy Monitor
* ............... 4-85
Drive Selection ................................... 4-87 Drive Selection
* ........................... 4-87
Power Steering................................... 4-89 Power Steering ............................. 4-89
Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC) ............................................. 4-90 Mazda Radar Cruise Control
(MRCC)
* ...................................... 4-90
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*Some models.4–2
Cruise Control ................................... 4-99 Cruise Control* ............................. 4-99
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System .............................................. 4-103 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
* ....................................... 4-103
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System .............................................. 4-107 Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System
* ....................................... 4-107
Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW) .............................................. 4-115 Forward Obstruction Warning
(FOW)
* ....................................... 4-115
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) ............................................ 4-118 Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
* .................................... 4-118
Rear View Monitor .......................... 4-124 Rear View Monitor
* ................... 4-124
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