2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK warning

*Some models.4–57
When Driving
Transaxle
Using steering shift switch *
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 tyre speed could
cause the tyres 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: (6-speed transaxle
model)
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
  When driving at high speeds, the
gear may not shift down.
  During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending
on vehicle speed.
  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 cancelled.
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4–60
When Driving
Transaxle
Type C
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct
mode may not be possible depending on
the vehicle speed. In addition, because
direct mode is cancelled (released)
depending on the rate of acceleration
or if the accelerator is fully depressed,
use of the manual shift mode is
recommended if you need to drive the
vehicle in a particular gear for long
periods.
Driving Tips
WARNING
Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction
selected by the selector lever:
Do not let the vehicle move backward
with the selector lever in a forward
position, or do not let the vehicle move
forward with the selector lever in the
reverse position. Otherwise, the engine
may stop, causing the loss of the power
brake and power steering functions,
and make it diffi cult to control the
vehicle which could result in an
accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
NOTE
(Some models)
The accelerator pedal may initially feel
heavy as it is being depressed, then feel
lighter as it is depressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been
depressed for performing kickdown,
and functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
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*Some models.4–66
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE

 The headlights, other exterior lights and instrument panel illumination may not turn
off immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffi c jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking
lots.
 In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position.
  When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched to ACC
or the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and instrument panel
illumination will turn off.
  The instrument panel illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the
instrument cluster. Also, the antidazzle mode can be changed by rotating the knob until
a beep sound is heard. To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel illumination:
Refer to Instrument panel Illumination on page 4-28 .

 The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
Refer to Personalisation Features on page 9-16 .
Xenon fusion headlight bulbs
*
The low-beam bulbs of the headlights have xenon fusion bulbs that produce a bright white
beam over a wide area.
WARNING
Do not replace the xenon fusion bulbs yourself
Replacing the xenon fusion bulbs yourself is dangerous. Because the xenon fusion
bulbs require high voltage, you could receive an electric shock if the bulbs are handled
incorrectly. Consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer
when the replacement is necessary.
NOTE
If the headlights fl icker, or the brightness weakens, the bulb-life may be depleted and a
replacement is necessary. Consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
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*Some models.4–69
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Headlight Levelling *
The number of passengers and weight of
cargo in the luggage compartment change
the angle of the headlights.
Auto type
The angle of the headlights will be
automatically adjusted when turning on
the headlights.
The warning/indicator light turns on when
the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-40 .
Manual type
The headlight levelling 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
× × × × 3
× — — × 4
× : Y e s
—: No
Running Lights *
Some countries require moving vehicles to
have their lights on (running lights) during
the daytime.
Running lights turn on automatically when
the ignition is switched ON. (Without
coming home light system)
The running lights turn on automatically
when the vehicle starts moving. (With
coming home light system)
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the shift lever is shifted to the
P position (automatic transaxle vehicle).
NOTE
(Except countries prohibited by law)
The running lights can be deactivated.
Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-16 .
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*Some models.4–73
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE

 If an indicator light stays on without
fl ashing or if it fl ashes abnormally,
one of the direction indicator bulbs
may be burned out.
  A personalised function is available
to change the turn indicator sound
volume. (page 9-16 )
Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change—until the
indicator fl ashes— and hold it there. It will
return to the off position when released.
Three-Flash Turn Signal *
After releasing the direction indicator
lever, the direction indicator fl ashes three
times. The operation can be cancelled by
moving the lever in the direction opposite
to which it was operated.
NOTE
The three-fl ash turn signal function can
be switched to operable/inoperable using
the personalisation function.
Refer to Personalisation Features on
page 9-16 .
Windscreen Wipers and
Washer
The ignition must be switched ON to use
the wipers.
WARNING
Use only windscreen washer fl uid or
plain water in the reservoir:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fl uid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windscreen, it will dirty the windscreen,
affect your visibility, and could result in
an accident.
Only use windscreen washer fl uid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in
freezing weather conditions:
Using windscreen washer fl uid without
anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions is dangerous as it
could freeze on the windscreen and
block your vision which could cause
an accident. In addition, make sure
the windscreen is suffi ciently warmed
using the defroster before spraying the
washer fl uid.
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4–80
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
Hazard Warning Flasher
The hazard warning lights should always
be used when you stop on or near a
roadway in an emergency.
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffi c hazard
and that they must take extreme caution
when near it.

Depress the hazard warning fl asher and
all the direction indicators will fl ash. The
hazard warning indicator lights in the
instrument cluster fl ash simultaneously.
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4–81
When Driving
Switches and Controls
NOTE
  The direction indicators do not work
when the hazard warning lights are
on.
  Check local regulations about the use
of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed to verify that
it is not in violation of the law.
  If the brake pedal is depressed
while driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all the turn and lane
change signals to fl ash. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-85 .
  While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all the direction
indicators automatically fl ash rapidly
to caution the driver of a vehicle
following behind your vehicle of a
sudden braking situation. Refer to
Emergency Stop Signal System on
page 4-85 .
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4–82
When Driving
Brake
Brake System
Foot Brake
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
use.
Should power-assist fail, you can stop by
applying greater force than normal to the
brake pedal. But the distance required to
stop will be greater than usual.
WARNING
Do not coast with the engine stalled or
turned off, fi nd a safe place to stop:
Coasting with the engine stalled or
turned off is dangerous. Braking will
require more effort, and the brake's
power-assist could be depleted if you
pump the brake. This will cause longer
stopping distances or even an accident.
Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep hills:
Driving with your foot continuously on
the brake pedal or steadily applying the
brakes for long distances is dangerous.
This causes overheated brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances
or even total brake failure. This could
cause loss of vehicle control and a
serious accident. Avoid continuous
application of the brakes.
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 affected.
CAUTION
  Do not drive with your foot held
on the clutch pedal or brake pedal,
or hold the clutch pedal depressed
halfway unnecessarily. Doing so
could result in the following:
 


 The clutch and brake parts will
wear out more quickly.
 


 The brakes can overheat
and adversely affect brake
performance.
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