2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK warning lights

4–87
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 4-41 .
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 tyre friction
and road contact because of water on
the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
NOTE
  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 tyres will
build up a wedge of surface layer
when the wheels skid.
  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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*Some models.4–88
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 4-41 .
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
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
Use snow tyres or tyre 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 4-90 ).
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 expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
NOTE
  In addition to the indicator light
fl ashing, a slight labouring sound
will come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS/DSC is
operating properly.
  On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to achieve
high rpm when the TCS is on.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







*Some models.4–89
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
*
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and engine
torque in conjunction with systems such
as ABS and TCS to help control side slip
when driving on slippery surfaces, or
during sudden or evasive manoeuvring,
enhancing vehicle safety.
Refer to ABS (page 4-87 ) and TCS (page
4-88 ).
DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h (12 mph).
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
WARNING
Do not rely on the Dynamic Stability
Control as a substitute for safe driving:
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced
tyre friction and road contact because
of water on the road surface). You can
still have an accident.
CAUTION
  The DSC may not operate correctly
unless the following are observed:
 


 Use tyres of the correct size
specifi ed for your Mazda on all
four wheels.
 


 Use tyres of the same
manufacturer, brand and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
 


 Do not mix worn tyres. 

 The DSC may not operate correctly
when tyre chains are used or a
temporary spare tyre is installed
because the tyre diameter changes.
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 expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







4–99
When Driving
Power Steering
Power Steering
 












 Power steering is only operable when
the engine is running. If the engine is
off or if the power steering system is
inoperable, you can still steer, but it
requires more physical effort.
  If the steering feels stiffer than usual
during normal driving or the steering
vibrates, consult an expert repairer,
we recommend an Authorised Mazda
Repairer.
 


 The warning light notifi es the driver
of system abnormalities and operation
conditions.
  In addition, the buzzer may also activate
depending on the system abnormality or
operation condition.
  Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
 Refer to Power Steering Warning Buzzer
on page 7-53 .
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than
5 seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







*Some models.4–104
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
High Beam Control System (HBC) *
The High Beam Control System (HBC) determines the conditions in front of the vehicle
using the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) while driving in darkness to automatically switch
the headlights between high and low beams.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 4-40 .
While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 30 km/h (18 mph), the headlights are switched
to high beams when there are no vehicles ahead or approaching in the opposite direction.
The system switches the headlights to low beams when one of the following occurs:
 


 The system detects a vehicle or the headlights/lights of a vehicle approaching in the
opposite direction.
 


 The vehicle is driven on roads lined with streetlamps or on roads in well-lit cities and
towns.
 


 The vehicle is driven at less than about 20 km/h (12 mph).
Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC) The recognition distance of the
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
varies according to the
surrounding conditions.
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
CAUTION
  Do not adjust the vehicle height, modify the headlight units, or remove the camera,
otherwise the system will not operate normally.
 



 Do not rely excessively on the High Beam Control System (HBC) and drive the
vehicle while paying suffi cient attention to safety. Switch the headlights between the
high beams and low beams manually if necessary.
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







*Some models.4–107
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) *
The LDWS notifi es the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffi c lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC). If it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it notifi es
the driver by fl ashing the LDWS indicator light (green) and operating the LDWS warning
sound.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-148 .
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow lines.
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
LDWS warning light (Amber)/
LDWS indicator light (Green)
The warning light fl ashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-41 .
.B[EB@&'&&"@&EJUJPOJOEC







*Some models.4–114
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) System *
















 The rear vehicle monitoring system is designed to assist the driver in verifying the area
to the rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by alerting the driver of the
presence of vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane. The system's detection
area extends from the area near the rear edge of the vehicle's front doors to a distance of
about 50 m (164 ft) rearward on both the left and right adjacent lanes. When the system
detects an approaching vehicle, it illuminates the RVM warning indicator light equipped
on the left and right outside mirrors depending on the conditions. If the direction indicator
is operated to either side where the RVM warning indicator light is illuminated, the RVM
warning indicator light starts fl ashing and a warning chime sounds to alert the driver.




 A system malfunction or operation conditions are indicated by a warning.
 Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page 7-35 , 4-118 .
 Refer to Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) System Warning Chime on page 7-52 .
Detection area Your vehicle
WARNING
This system is only designed to assist the driver in verifying the area to the rear of the
vehicle before changing vehicle lanes. Before changing vehicle lanes, always verify the
area surrounding the vehicle visually. Due to various limitations on the operation of the
rear vehicle monitoring system, the RVM warning indicator light may not illuminate or
it could be delayed even though another vehicle is present in an adjacent vehicle lane.
Do not rely solely on this system and always verify the area surrounding the vehicle
visually.
.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