2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

4–115
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  The rear vehicle monitoring system operates when all of the following conditions are
satisfi ed:




 The ignition is switched ON.



 The RVM switch is pressed and the RVM indicator light (green) in the instrument
cluster is illuminated.
 


 The vehicle speed is about 30 km/h (19 mph) or higher. 

 The rear vehicle monitoring system does not operate under the following conditions:




 The vehicle speed falls below 30 km/h (19 mph) even though the RVM indicator
light (green) is illuminated.
 


 The shift lever is shifted into reverse (R) and the vehicle moves in reverse. 

 In the following cases, the system illuminates the RVM warning light (amber) in the
instrument cluster and stops the operation of the system. If the RVM warning light
(amber) continues to illuminate, have the system inspected at an Authorised Mazda
Dealer as soon as possible:
 


 A malfunction in the system, including the RVM warning indicator light, is detected.



 The position of the radar sensors (rear) has changed signifi cantly. The direction
in which the radar sensors (rear) are pointed is factory-adjusted specifi c to the
installation conditions for each vehicle so that they detect approaching vehicles
correctly. If the direction of the radar sensors (rear) has deviated for some reason, it
needs to be readjusted.
 


 Large quantities of snow or ice are on the rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear).



 Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.



 The temperature surrounding the radar sensors (rear) becomes extremely high when
the vehicle is driven up-hill for long periods under hot summer weather conditions.
 


 The battery voltage is low. 

 There is a limit to the detection capability of the radar sensors (rear). In the following
cases, the rear vehicle monitoring system's detection capability may weaken and not
operate normally:
 


 The rear bumper near the radar sensors (rear) is deformed.



 Snow, ice or mud adheres to the area near the radar sensors (rear) on the rear
bumper.
 


 Under certain weather conditions including rain, snow, or fog.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–116
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  It might be impossible or diffi cult for the radar sensors (rear) to detect the following:




 Small, two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and stationary objects on or at
the edge of the road.
 


 Vehicles with body shapes off of which radar may not refl ect such as unloaded
trailers with a low vehicle height and sports cars.
 


 A vehicle is in the detection area in an adjacent lane to the rear but it is not
approaching. The system makes determinations based on the radar detection data
from approaching vehicles.
 


 Another vehicle is travelling at the same speed alongside the vehicle for extended
periods.
 


 Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.



 Another vehicle which your vehicle is attempting to pass is in an adjacent lane.



 A vehicle is in an adjacent lane which is extremely wide. The radar sensors (rear)
detection area is set according to the lane width of general freeways.
 
 In the following cases, the RVM warning indicator light and the warning chime may
not activate or they may be delayed:
 


 Another vehicle moves from a lane two lanes over to the adjacent lane.



 When driving on a steep incline.



 When going over a mountain pass.



 When the turning radius is small (cornering around sharp curves, roundabouts, or
intersections).
 


 There is a difference in height between vehicle lanes.



 Immediately after this system is turned on. 

 If the lane width is extremely narrow, a vehicle in an adjacent lane two lanes over may
be detected. The radar sensors (rear) detection area is set according to the lane width of
general freeways.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–117
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
  The RVM warning indicator light may illuminate for stationary objects in or on the
edge of the road, such as guardrails, tunnels, and side walls.

Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls
running alongside the vehicle.Places where the width between guardrails or
walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels,
turnouts.
  If a trailer is being towed or a vehicle carrier is equipped to the rear of the vehicle, the
rear vehicle monitoring system may not operate correctly because radar emission could
be obstructed. Turn off the rear vehicle monitoring system.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–118
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
RVM Warning Indicator Light
The rear vehicle monitoring system alerts the driver to the presence of another vehicle in
an adjacent lane using the RVM warning indicator lights and the warning chime while the
system is operational.
RVM warning indicator light
The RVM warning indicator lights are installed to the left and right outside mirrors. The
warning indicator light illuminates when a vehicle approaching from the rear in an adjacent
lane is detected. A warning indicator light fl ashes when the direction indicator lever is
operated to the side where the RVM warning indicator light is illuminated to alert the driver.
Illumination dimmer cancel function
Normally, when the headlight switch is turned to the
or position, the brightness of
the RVM warning indicator lights is dimmed when they illuminate.
When driving on snow and fog bound roads where the brightness of the surrounding light
makes it diffi cult to see a RVM warning indicator light while it is dimmed, rotating the
instrument panel illumination knob clockwise fully cancels the dimmer function and restores
the brightness of the RVM warning indicator lights to full brightness.
Refer to Instrument panel Illumination on page 4-28 .
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–119
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
RVM Switch
When the switch is pressed, the rear
vehicle monitoring system becomes
operable and the RVM indicator light
(green) illuminates on the instrument
panel. When the switch is pressed
again, the system turns off and the RVM
indicator light (green) turns off.
NOTE
  When the ignition is switched off,
the condition before the ignition
was switched off is maintained. For
example, if the ignition is switched
off with the rear vehicle monitoring
system operable, the system will
be operable when the ignition is
switched ON the next time.
  If the battery is disconnected or a
fuse is replaced, the rear vehicle
monitoring system will be turned off.
Press the RVM switch to turn this
system on.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







*Some models.4–120
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) *
The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) measures the distance between your
vehicle and a vehicle ahead using a radar sensor while the vehicle speed is 30 km/h or faster
(19 mph or faster), and indicates a recommended distance to maintain between the vehicles.
Furthermore, if your vehicle approaches a vehicle ahead more closely than the appropriate
distance to maintain between the vehicles, the vehicle-ahead indication in the display is
fl ashed to advise the driver to keep a safer distance from the vehicle ahead.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) and always
drive carefully:
The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) provides advice for safer driving and
notifi es the driver of a recommended, safer distance to maintain with a vehicle ahead.
The ability to detect a vehicle ahead is limited depending on the type of vehicle ahead,
the weather conditions, and the traffi c conditions. Therefore, if the accelerator and
brake pedals are not operated correctly it could lead to an accident. Always verify the
safety of the surrounding area and depress the brake pedal or accelerator pedal while
keeping a safer distance from vehicles ahead or on-coming vehicles.
NOTE
  The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) operates when all of the following
conditions are met:
 


 The ignition is switched ON.



 The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) is on.



 The selector lever is in a position other than reverse (R).



 The vehicle speed is 30 km/h or faster (19 mph or faster). 

 The objects which activate the system are 4-wheeled vehicles. 
 The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) may also operate in the presence of
motorcycles and bicycles.
  The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) system may not operate normally
under the following conditions:
 


 The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) has a malfunction.



 The vehicle ahead is travelling at an extremely slow speed. 

 The system does not operate with the following objects:




 Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.



 Stationary objects (stopped vehicles, obstructions)
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–121
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Indication on Display
The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) operation status is indicated in the active
driving display. Regarding malfunctions, check the vehicle conditions or have it inspected
by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer according to the
content of the displayed message.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-40 .
NOTE
  When the ignition is switched off, the operation status before the system was turned
off is maintained. For example, if the ignition is switched off with the Distance
Recognition Support System (DRSS) operable, the system will be operable when the
ignition is switched ON the next time.
  The Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS) can be turned on/off and the
system's sensitivity can be changed.
 Refer to Personalisation Features on page 9-16 .
Vehicle ahead
display
Distance between
vehicle display
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–122
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Distance-between-vehicles guidelines *1
Indication on display Distance between vehicles
guidelines
(During travel at about 40 km/h
(25 mph) Distance between vehicles
guidelines
(During travel at about 80 km/h
(50 mph)
About 25 m (82 ft) About 50 m (164 ft)
About 20 m (66 ft) About 40 m (131 ft)
About 15 m (49 ft) About 30 m (98 ft)
About 10 m (33 ft) About 20 m (66 ft)
(Vehicle-ahead indicator fl ashes) About 10 m (32 ft) or less About 20 m (65 ft) or less
*1 The distance between vehicles differs depending on vehicle speed.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC