2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR wheel

4–30
When Driving
Transaxle
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21 .
Transaxle Ranges
 y The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer to
Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-20 .
 y  The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake: Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION


4–32
When Driving
Transaxle
5. Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the system
checked.
Manual Shift Mode
The manual shift mode gives you the feel
of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by
allowing you to operate the selector lever
manually. This allows you to control
engine rpm and torque to the drive wheels
much like a manual transaxle when more
control is desired.
To change to manual shift mode, shift the
lever from D to M.
NOTE
 y (For vehicles with type C instrument
cluster*1 )  If the engine speed is about to exceed
the permissible engine speed, the buzzer
sounds.
 Refer to Over Rev. Buzzer on page 7-38 .
*1 To determine which instrument cluster is equipped on your Mazda,
Refer to Meters and Gauges on page
4-11 .
 y Changing to manual shift mode while
driving will not damage the transaxle.
To return to automatic shift mode, shift the
lever from M to D.
NOTE
 y  If you change to manual shift mode
when the vehicle is stopped, the gear
will shift to M1.
 y If you change to manual shift mode
without depressing the accelerator
pedal when driving in D range, 5th
gear/6th gear, the gear will shift to M4/
M5.
Indicators
Manual shift mode indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indication
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Type A
Manual shift mode indication
Gear position indication
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4–34
When Driving
Transaxle
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fi ngers.
UP switch
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fi ngers on the steering
shift switches:
Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
 y When driving slowly, the gears may not
shift up.
 y In manual shift mode, do not run the
engine with the tachometer needle in
the RED ZONE. When the engine rpm is
high, a gear may shift up automatically
to protect the engine.
 y When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
 y The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
) is
pulled rearward for a suffi cient amount
of time.
Manually Shifting down
(M6
: M5
: M4
: M3
: M2
: M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, move the
selector lever forward
once.
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4–35
When Driving
Transaxle
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fi ngers.
DOWN switch
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving
at high speeds causes sudden engine
braking, which is dangerous. The
sudden change in tire speed could
cause the tires to skid. This could
lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.

Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fi ngers on the steering
shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
 y When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down.
 y During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
 y When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Second gear fi xed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the transaxle is set in the
second gear fi xed mode. The gear is fi xed
in second while in this mode for easier
acceleration from a stop and driving on
slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear fi xed
mode, the mode will be canceled.
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*Some models.4–45
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Manual type
The headlight leveling switch is used
to adjust the angle of the headlights
manually.
Select the proper headlight angle from the
following chart.
Front seat Rear
seat Load Switch
Position
Driver Passenger
× — — — 0
× × — — 0
× × × — 2
× × × × 2.5
(Between 2 and 3)
× — — × 3.5
(Between 3 and 4)
× : Y e s
—: No
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)*
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight beams
to the left or right in conjunction with the
operation of the steering wheel after the
headlights have been turned on.
AFS OFF Indicator Light
When illuminated
This indicator light illuminates briefl y
when the ignition is switched ON, and
then turns off. Pressing the AFS OFF
switch cancels the AFS function and
illuminates the indicator light.
When fl ashing
The indicator light fl ashes continuously if
the system is malfunctioning. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 y  Even if the AFS is not operating due to
some malfunction, the normal headlight
function is still operable.
 y If there is a malfunction with the
headlight auto-leveling function, the
indicator light fl ashes.
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*Some models.4–57
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Mirror Defogger *
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-56 ).
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
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4–66
When Driving
Radar Sensor
NOTE
 y In the following cases, the radar sensor may not be able to detect vehic\
les 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 oppo\
site 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 damag\
e.  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) warning light (amber) temporarily illuminates, however, this does not indicate a
problem.
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*Some models.4–74
When Driving
Brake
 y Under the following conditions, the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) sy\
stem may not
operate normally.
 y Heavy luggage is loaded in the luggage compartment or on the rear seat. y If there is the possibility of partial contact with a vehicle ahead. y When driving on continuously curving roads, and entering and exiting exits. 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 tha\
t 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 Vehicle is driven with some of the tires having signifi cant wear.
 y When the system operates, the user is notifi ed by the fl ashing Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS) indicator light (red) and the active driving display * . y The Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) warning light (amber) turns on w\
hen the system
has a malfunction.
 Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21 .
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