2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 5-DOOR tires

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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4–48
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
The timing in which the system switches the headlights changes under the\
following
conditions. If the system does not switch the headlights appropriately, manually switch
between high and low beams according to the visibility as well as road and traffi c
conditions.
 y When there are sources of light in the area such as street lamps, illuminated signboards,
and traffi c signals.
 y When there are refl ective objects in the surrounding area such as refl ective plates and
signs.
 y When visibility is reduced under rain, snow and foggy conditions. y When driving on roads with sharp curves or hilly terrain. y When the headlights/rear lamps of vehicles in front of you or in the opposite lane are dim
or not illuminated.
 y When there is suffi cient darkness such as at dawn or dusk. y When the luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the rear passenger seats
are occupied.
 y When visibility is reduced due to a vehicle in front of you spraying water from its tires
onto your windshield.
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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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4–78
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing and
reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a chattering
noise from the brake system. This is
normal ABS system operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal without pumping
the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21 .
WARNING
Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving: The ABS cannot compensate for unsafe
and reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow,
and hydroplaning (reduced tire friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
 y Braking distances may be longer on
loose surfaces (snow or gravel, for
example) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
 y The sound of the ABS operating may
be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the
vehicle, however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
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4–79
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by controlling
engine torque and braking. When the TCS
detects driving wheel slippage, it lowers
engine torque and operates the brakes to
prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving: The Traction Control System ( TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road contact
because of water on the road surface).
You can still have an accident.

Use snow tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are covered
with ice and/or snow: Driving without proper traction devices
on snow and/or ice-covered roads
is dangerous. The Traction Control
System ( TCS) alone cannot provide
adequate traction and you could still
have an accident.
NOTE
To turn off the TCS, press the DSC OFF
switch (page 4-81 ).
TCS/DSC Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON. If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light fl ashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS, DSC
or the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 y  In addition to the indicator light
fl ashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This indicates
that the TCS/DSC is operating properly.
 y On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
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*Some models.4–103
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire Pressure Monitoring System *
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the air pressure of all\
four tires. If
the air pressure of one or more tires is too low, the system warns the driver by indicating the
tire pressure monitoring system warning light in the instrument cluster \
and operating a beep
sound. The system monitors the tire pressures indirectly using the data sent fr\
om the ABS
wheel speed sensors.
To allow the system to operate correctly, the system needs to be initialized with the specifi ed
tire pressure (value on the tire pressure label). Follow the procedure\
and perform the
initialization.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System Initialization on page 4-106 .
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21 .
ABS wheel speed sensor
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4–105
When Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
NOTE
Because this system detects slight changes in tire conditions, the timing of the warning may
be faster or slower in the following cases:
 y The size, manufacturer, or the type of tires is different from the specifi cation. y The size, manufacturer, or the type of a tire is different from the others, or the level of tire
wear is excessively different between them.
 y A run-fl at tire, studless tire, snow tire, or tire chains are used. y An emergency tire is used (The tire pressure monitoring system warning light may fl ash
and then continue illuminating).
 y A tire is repaired using the puncture tire repair kit. y The tire pressure is excessively higher than the specifi ed pressure, or the tire pressure is
suddenly lowered for some reason such as a tire burst during driving.
 y The vehicle speed is lower than about 15 km/h (9.3 mph) (including wh\
en the vehicle is
stopped), or the drive period is shorter than 5 minutes.
 y The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road or a slippery, icy road. y Hard steering and rapid acceleration/deceleration are repeated such as during aggressive
driving on a winding road.
 y Load on the vehicle is applied to a tire such as by loading heavy luggage to one side of
the vehicle.
 y System initialization has not been implemented with the specifi ed tire pressure.
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