2015 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK ABS

2–13
Essential Safety Equipment
Seat Belt Systems
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and all passengers always wear seat belts.
Front seat and rear outboard seat
The front seats and rear outboard seats have lap/shoulder belts. These belts have retractors
with inertia locks that keep them out of the way when not in use. The locks allow the belts
to remain comfortable on users, but they will lock in position during a collision.
Rear centre seat
With 3-point type seat belt
The 3-point type seat belt has lap/shoulder belts. This belt has a retractor with an inertia lock
that keeps it out of the way when not in use. The lock allows the belt to remain comfortable
on the user, but it will lock in position during a collision.
With 2-point type seat belt
The 2-point type seat belt has a lap belt with manual adjustment.
WARNING
Always wear your seat belt and make sure all occupants are properly restrained:
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely dangerous. During a collision, occupants not
wearing seat belts could hit someone or things inside the vehicle or even be thrown out
of the vehicle. They could be seriously injured or even killed. In the same collision,
occupants wearing seat belts would be much safer.
Do not wear twisted seat belts:
Twisted seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the full width of the belt is not available
to absorb the impact. This puts more force on the bones beneath the belt, which could
cause serious injury or death. So, if your seat belt is twisted, you must straighten the
seat belt to remove any twists and to allow the full width of the belt to be used.
Never use one seat belt on more than one person at a time:
Using one seat belt for more than one person at a time is dangerous. A seat belt used
in this way cannot spread the impact forces properly and the two passengers could
be crushed together and seriously injured or even killed. Never use one belt for more
than one person at a time and always operate the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
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3–54
Before Driving
Driving Tips
WARNING
Never stop the engine when going
down a hill:
Stopping the engine when going
down a hill is dangerous. This causes
the loss of power steering and power
brake control, and may cause damage
to the drivetrain. Any loss of steering
or braking control could cause an
accident.
Hazardous Driving
WARNING
Be extremely careful if it is necessary
to downshift on slippery surfaces:
Downshifting into lower gear while
driving on slippery surfaces 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.
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
 


 Be cautious and allow extra distance for
braking.
 


 Avoid sudden braking and sudden
manoeuvring.
 


 Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
  Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-87 .
 


 If you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
 


 For more traction in starting on slippery
surfaces such as ice or packed snow,
use sand, rock salt, chains, carpeting, or
other nonslip material under the front
wheels.
NOTE
Use snow chains only on the front
wheels.
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3–59
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving In Flooded Area
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 the vehicle on fl ooded
roads as it could cause short circuiting
of electrical/electronic parts, or
engine damage or stalling from water
absorption. If the vehicle has been
immersed in water, consult an expert
repairer, we recommend an Authorised
Mazda Repairer.
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*Some models.4–1
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.



Start/Stop Engine ................................ 4-4
Ignition Switch ............................... 4-4
Starting the Engine ......................... 4-5
Turning the Engine Off ................ 4-12
i-stop
* ........................................... 4-13
Instrument Cluster and Display ...... 4-24
Meters and Gauges ....................... 4-24
Multi-information Display
* .......... 4-32
Active Driving Display* ............... 4-38
Warning/Indicator Lights ............. 4-40
Transaxle ............................................ 4-47
Manual Transaxle Operation ........ 4-47
Automatic Transaxle Controls ..... 4-50
Switches and Controls ...................... 4-62
Lighting Control ........................... 4-62
Front Fog Lights
* ......................... 4-70
Rear Fog Light* ............................ 4-71
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ...... 4-72
Windscreen Wipers and Washer ...... 4-73
Rear Window Wiper and
Washer
*......................................... 4-77
Headlight Washer* ........................ 4-78
Rear Window Defogger ............... 4-78
Horn ............................................. 4-80
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 4-80
Brake .................................................. 4-82
Brake System ............................... 4-82
Emergency Stop Signal System ...... 4-85
Hill Launch Assist (HLA)* ........... 4-85 ABS/TCS/DSC ................................... 4-87
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ...... 4-87
Traction Control System (TCS)*...... 4-88
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
* .......................................... 4-89
i-ELOOP ............................................ 4-91
i-ELOOP
* ..................................... 4-91
Fuel Economy Monitor ..................... 4-94
Fuel Economy Monitor
* ............... 4-94
Power Steering................................... 4-99
Power Steering ............................. 4-99
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*Some models.4–41
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
Warning Lights
These lights turn on or fl ash to notify the user of the system operation status or a system
malfunction.
Signal Warning Lights Page
Master Warning Light *1 7-32
Brake System Warning Light *1*2 7-32
ABS Warning Light *1 7-32
Charging System Warning Light *1 7-32
Engine Oil Warning Light *1 7-32
Check Engine Light *1 7-32
(Red) High Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
*1 7-32
(Amber) * i-stop Warning Light *1 4-22
(Amber) RVM Warning Light *1 7-32
* Automatic Transaxle Warning Light *1 7-32
Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light *1 7-32
Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Light *1 7-32
Low Fuel Warning Light 7-32
Seat Belt Warning Light 7-32
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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.
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*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