2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

*Some models.4–107
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System *
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is designed to assist the drive\
r by monitoring
blind spots on both sides of the vehicle to the rear in certain situatio\
ns such as when
changing lanes on roads and freeways or reversing the vehicle from a par\
king garage.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System consists of the Blind Spot Moni\
toring (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 Sp\
ot 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, o\
r 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 malfun\
ction.
 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.
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4–10 8
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
 y The following conditions may affect the visibility of the Blind Spot Mon\
itoring (BSM)
warning lights on the outside mirror, making it diffi cult to confi rm the illumination of the
lights:
 y Ice or snow adheres to the surface of the outside mirrors. y The door window glass is tinted.
 y The radar sensors are equipped inside the rear bumper (page 4-114 ). y Have the radar sensors inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer if any shock is applied
to the rear bumper, even in a minor accident. If the vehicle is driven with a damaged
radar sensor, the system may not operate properly resulting in an accident.
 y For repairs or paintwork around the radar sensors, or replacement of the bumper, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 y The radar sensors of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may be regulated under
the radio wave related laws of the country where the vehicle is driven. The sensors in this
system are approved for use in the U.S.A. (including territories), Canada, and Mexico\
.
If a vehicle with a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is driven in a \
country other
than the U.S.A., Canada, or Mexico, the system has to be turned off usin\
g the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) OFF switch.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system monitors the detection areas on\
both sides of
the vehicle to the rear and when there are vehicles in the detection are\
a it notifi es the driver
by illuminating the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light while th\
e vehicle speed is
about 10 km/h (6.2 mph) or faster and driving forward.
If the turn signal lever is operated to the side the Blind Spot Monitori\
ng (BSM) warning
light is illuminated, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light fl\
ashes and the system
warns the driver of the vehicle in the detection area using a BSM warnin\
g beep sound.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
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4–109
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
NOTE
 y The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) does not operate when the vehicle spee\
d 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 opera\
te 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 vehic\
les, 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 Monit\
oring (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 tra\
iler.
 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.
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4–110
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 Monitorin\
g (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 (B\
SM) system warning light fl ashes and the Blind Spot Monitoring system (BSM) warning beep sounds
at the same time.
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4–111
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the system may be unable to detect vehic\
les, 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 Monit\
oring (BSM) OFF
indicator light in instrument cluster illuminates) by pressing the switch.
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4–112
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
BSM Warning Light
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system alerts the driver to the presen\
ce of another
vehicle in an adjacent lane using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warn\
ing 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 sw\
itched ON.
Driving forward
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects a vehicle in the det\
ection area while the
vehicle is driven at a speed of about 10 km/h (6.2mph) or more, the Bl\
ind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) warning light illuminates on the side of the vehicle where the r\
ear 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 illuminat\
ed 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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4–113
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.
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4–114
When Driving
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
Care of Radar Sensors
The radar sensors are equipped inside the
rear bumper.
4–Door
Radar sensors
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 6-64 .
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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