Black plate (118,1)
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 tire
speed could cause the tires 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:
lBe cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
lAvoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
lDo not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
Refer to Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-92.
lIf you get stuck, select a lower gear and
accelerate slowly. Do not spin the front
wheels.
lFor 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.
Floor Mat
WARNING
Make sure the floor mats are hooked
on the retention pins to prevent them
from bunching up under the foot
pedals:
Using a floor mat that is not secured
is dangerous as it will interfere with
the accelerator and brake pedal
operation, which could result in an
accident.
Do not install two floor mats, one on
top of the other, on the driver's side:
Installing two floor mats, one on top
of the other, on the driver's side is
dangerous as the retention pins can
only keep one floor mat from sliding
forward.
In using a heavy duty floor mat for
winter use always remove the
original floor mat.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with
the foot pedal and could result in an
accident.
When setting a floor mat, position the
floor mat so that its grommets are inserted
over the pointed end of the retention
posts.
3-46
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page118
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Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (125,1)
4When Driving
Information concerning safe driving and stopping.
Start/Stop Engine .................................... 4-2
Ignition Switch .................................... 4-2
Starting the Engine .............................. 4-3
Turning the Engine Off ....................... 4-8
Instrument Cluster and Display ........... 4-10
Meters and Gauges ............................ 4-10
Warning/Indicator Lights .................. 4-23
Transaxle ................................................ 4-47
Manual Transaxle Operation ............. 4-47
Automatic Transaxle Controls .......... 4-49
Switches and Controls ........................... 4-58
Lighting Control ............................... 4-58
High Beam Control System (HBC)í... 4-63
Fog Lightsí...................................... 4-67
Turn and Lane-Change Signals ......... 4-67
Windshield Wipers and Washer ........ 4-68
Rear Window Defogger .................... 4-72
Horn .................................................. 4-73
Hazard Warning Flasher .................... 4-74
HomeLink Wireless Control
System
í............................................ 4-74
Radar Sensor .......................................... 4-78
Radar Sensor
í.................................. 4-78
Brake ...................................................... 4-81
Brake System .................................... 4-81
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ................. 4-84
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)í... 4-86
ABS/TCS/DSC ....................................... 4-92
Antilock Brake System (ABS) .......... 4-92
Traction Control System (TCS) ........ 4-93
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) ..... 4-94i-ELOOP ................................................. 4-96
i-ELOOP
í........................................ 4-96
Drive Selection ....................................... 4-99
Drive Selection
í............................... 4-99
Power Steering ..................................... 4-101
Power Steering ................................ 4-101
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)... 4-102
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)í... 4-102
Cruise Control ...................................... 4-111
Cruise Control
í.............................. 4-111
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)... 4-114
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)í... 4-114
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ....... 4-117
Tire Pressure Monitoring System .... 4-117
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System .................................................. 4-121
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
System
í.......................................... 4-121
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS) ................................................ 4-130
Lane Departure Warning System
(LDWS)
í....................................... 4-130
Rear View Monitor .............................. 4-137
Rear View Monitor
í...................... 4-137
4-1íSome models.
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page125
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Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (217,1)
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.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-23.
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 4-94).
When Driving
ABS/TCS/DSC
4-93
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page217
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Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (328,1)
Sound
Refer to Power/Volume/Display/Sound
Controls on page 5-36.
Vehicle
lDoor LockslLight ControllWipers Control
1. Press the setup button (
).
2. Touch the
on-screen tab to
display the vehicle setting screen.
3. Touch the desired setting item.
4. Select the desired setup item from the
list by touching it.
5. Touch the
on-screen button.
Language
1. Press the setup button (
).
2. Touch the
on-screen tab to
display the language setting screen.
3. Touch the desired language from the
list.
4. Touch the
on-screen button.
NOTE
Only the available languages are displayed.
Default (Vehicle settings only)
1. Press the setup button (
).
2. Touch the
on-screen tab.
3. Touch the
on-screen button.
4. Touch the
on-screen button.
5. Touch the
on-screen button.
NOTE
The settings for display, sound, and language
cannot be initialized.
Audio Control Switch
Operation
When the audio unit is turned on,
operation of the audio unit from the
steering wheel is possible.
NOTE
lBecause the audio unit will be turned off
under the following conditions, the switches
will be inoperable.
lWhen the ignition is switched off.lWhen the power button on the audio unit
is pressed and the audio unit is turned
off.
lMazda has installed this system to prevent
distraction while driving the vehicle and
using audio controls on the dashboard.
Always make safe driving your first priority.
Without Bluetooth®Hands-Free
5-56
Interior Features
Audio System
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page328
Friday, June 13 2014 6:22 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (430,1)
During rotation, inspect them for correct
balance.
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE ONLY)
spare tire in rotation.Forward
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
lIncorrect tire pressurelImproper wheel alignmentlOut-of-balance wheellSevere braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 9-7) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-119.
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern or studs only from front to
rear, not from side to side. Tire
performance will be reduced if
rotated from side to side.
qReplacing a Tire
WARNING
Always use tires that are in good
condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and
traction could result in an accident.
Replace all four tires at the same time:
Replacing just one tire is dangerous.
It could cause poor handling and
poor braking resulting in loss of
vehicle control. Mazda strongly
recommends that you replace all four
tires at the same time.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator
will appear as a solid band across the
tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
New treadTread wear indicator
Worn tread
You should replace the tire before the
band crosses the entire tread.
After adjusting the tire pressure,
initialization of the tire pressure
monitoring system is necessary to make
the system operates normally.
Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Initialization on page 4-119.
6-36
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page430
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (496,1)
CAUTION
If the key warning indicator light
illuminates or the push button start
indicator light (amber) flashes, the
engine may not start. If the engine
cannot be started, try starting it
using the emergency operation for
starting the engine, and have the
vehicle inspected at an Authorized
Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Refer to Emergency Operation for
Starting the Engine on page 4-8.
qIf the high beam control system
(HBC) warning light (amber)
flashes
í
This light flashes if there is a malfunction
in the high beam control system (HBC).
Have your vehicle inspected by an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
qIf the traction control system
(TCS)/dynamic stability control
(DSC) indicator light illuminates
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
lIn addition to the indicator light flashing, a
slight lugging sound will come from the
engine. This indicates that the TCS/DSC is
operating properly.
lOn slippery surfaces, such as fresh snow, it
will be impossible to achieve high rpm
when the TCS is on.
qIf the dynamic stability control
system (DSC) OFF indicator light
illuminates
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
The DSC may have a malfunction.
7-36
If Trouble Arises
íSome models.
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page496
Friday, June 13 2014 6:23 PM
Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (525,1)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
qTread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
qTraction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
qTemperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
8-23
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page525
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Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L
Black plate (530,1)
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear:The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels.
Make sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other
tires on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
lEXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-
MATCH TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa)
TO SEAT BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT
TIRES.
lTIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-
FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.
8-28
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Mazda6_8DQ8-EA-13L_Edition3 Page530
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Form No.8DQ8-EA-13L