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3–40
Before Driving
Security System
Modification and Add-On
Equipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do
not modify the system or install any
add-on equipment to the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems or the
vehicle.
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer system allows the
engine to start only with a key the system
recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine
will not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a problem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Radio equipment like this is governed by
laws in the United States.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
To avoid damage to the key, do not:
Drop the key. Get the key wet. Expose the key to any kind of
magnetic field. Expose the key to high temperatures
on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
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4–27
When Driving
Transaxle
*Some models.
NOTE
(For vehicles with type C instrument
cluster*1)
If the engine speed is about to exceed
the permissible engine speed, the buzzer
sounds.
Refer to Over Rev. Buzzer on page
7-39.
*1 To determine which instrument
cluster is equipped on your Mazda,
Refer to Meters and Gauges on page
4-11.
If shifting to R is difficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again.
Gear Shift Indicator*
The gear shift indicator supports you to
obtain optimum fuel economy and smooth
driving. It displays the selected gear
position in the instrument cluster as well
as notifies the driver to change to the most
suitable gear position corresponding to the
actual driving condition.
Selected gear positionSuitable gear position
Indication Condition
Numeral The selected gear position is
displayed.
and numeral Shift up or down to the indicated
gear position is recommended.
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving
situation might require shift operations
different from indication. To avoid the
risk of accidents, the road and traffic
conditions have to be judged correctly
by the driver before shifting.
NOTE
The gear shift indicator turns off when the
following operations are performed.
The vehicle is stopped. The vehicle is put in neutral. The vehicle is driven in r
everse. The clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop. The clutch pedal remains depressed for
2 seconds or longer while driving.
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4–49
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.
INT ringFast
Slow
With auto-wiper control
Switch
Position Wiper operation
Operation while pulling up lever
Stop
Auto control
Low speed
High speed
Auto-wiper control
When the wiper lever is in the
position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically (off—
intermittent—low speed—high speed).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch upward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it downward for
less sensitivity (slower response).
Higher sensitivity
Less sensitivitySwitch
Center
position
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4–62
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 4-21.
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 tire 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 tires 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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When Driving
Drive Selection
*Some models.
Drive Selection*
Drive selection is a system to switch the vehicle's drive mode. When the sport mode
is selected, vehicle's response against accelerator operation is enhance\
d. This provides
additional quick acceleration which may be needed to safely make maneuvers such as lane
changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
CAUTION
Do not use the sport mode when driving on slippery roads such as wet or snow-covered
roads. It may cause tire slipping.
NOTE
When the sport mode is selected, driving at higher engine speeds increases and it may
increase fuel consumption. Mazda recommends that you cancel the sport mode on normal
driving.
Drive mode cannot be switched in the following conditions:
ABS/TCS/DSC is operating The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system/cruise control is operating. Steering wheel is being operated abruptly
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4–80
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
The LDWS notifies the driver that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane.
The system detects the white or yellow lines on the traffic lane using the Forward Sensing
Camera (FSC). If it determines that the vehicle may be deviating from its lane, it notifies
the driver by flashing the LDWS indicator light (green) and operating the LDWS warning
sound.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera on page 4-111.
Use the LDWS when you drive the vehicle on roads with white or yellow li\
nes.
Forward Sensing Camera (FSC)
LDWS warning light (Amber)/
LDWS indicator light (Green)
The warning light flashes when the system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21.
WARNING
Do not use the LDWS under the following conditions:
The system may not operate adequately according to the actual driving conditions,
resulting in an accident.
Driving on roads with tight curves. Driving under bad weather conditions (rain, fog, and snow).
The functions of the LDWS have limitations:
Always stay on course using the steering wheel and drive with care. The system is not
designed to compensate for a driver’s lack of caution and if you rely too much on the
LDWS it could lead to an accident. The driver is responsible for assuring lane changes and
other maneuvers. Always pay attention to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling
and the vehicle’s surroundings.
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4–86
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the
area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides during lane changes by ale\
rting the driver to the
presence of vehicles approaching from the rear in an adjacent lane.
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from the rear while
traveling in the forward direction at a speed of 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or \
faster and turns on the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors depending on
the conditions. If the turn signal lever is operated to signal a lane ch\
ange in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illuminated, the system warns
the driver of a vehicle in the detection area by flashing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
warning light and activating a beep sound.
The detection area on this system covers the driving lanes on both sides\
of the vehicle and
from the rear part of the front doors to about 50 m (164 ft) behind th\
e vehicle.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before making an actual lane change:
The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at your rear when
making a lane change. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even
though a vehicle is in an adjacent driving lane. Always make it your responsibility as a
driver to check the rear.
NOTE
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system will operate when all of the fo\
llowing
conditions are met:
The ignition is switched ON. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch is pressed and the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) OFF indicator light in the instrument cluster is turned off. The vehicle speed is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster .
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When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
WARNING
Always check the surrounding area visually before actually putting the vehicle in
reverse:The system is only designed to assist you in checking for vehicles at the rear when putting
the vehicle in reverse. Due to certain limitations with the operation of this system, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may not flash or it might be delayed even
though a vehicle is behind your vehicle. Always make it your responsibility as a driver to
check the rear.
NOTE
In the following cases, the BSM OFF Indicator Light turns on and operati\
on of the
system is stopped. If the BSM OFF Indicator Light remains illuminated, have the vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as possible.
Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warnin\
g
lights has occurred. A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred. There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear). Driving on snow-cover ed roads for long periods. The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer. The battery voltage has decr eased.
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