2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR steering wheel

4–34
When Driving
Transaxle
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP switch
(
) toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switch
WARNING
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches:Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
 When driving slowly , the gears may not
shift up. In manual shift mode, do not run the
engine with the tachometer needle in
the RED ZONE. When the engine rpm is
high, a gear may shift up automatically
to protect the engine.
 When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
 The steering shift switch can be used
temporarily even if the selector lever is
in the D position while driving. In
addition, it returns to automatic shift
mode when the UP switch (
) is
pulled rearward for a sufficient amount
of time.
Manually Shifting down
(M6 → M5 → M4 → M3 → M2 → M1)
To shift down to a lower gear, move the
selector lever forward
once.
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4–35
When Driving
Transaxle
To shift down to a lower gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the DOWN
switch
toward you once with your
fingers.
DOWN switch
WARNING
Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds: Shifting down while driving on wet,
snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving
at high speeds causes sudden engine
braking, which 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.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel
rim when using fingers on the steering
shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of
the steering wheel when using the
steering shift switches is dangerous.
If the driver's air bag were to deploy
in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
NOTE
 When driving at high speeds, the gear
may not shift down. During deceleration, the gear may
automatically shift down depending on
vehicle speed.
 When depressing the accelerator fully,
the transaxle will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Second gear fixed mode
When the selector lever is moved back

while the vehicle speed is about 10 km/h
(6.2 mph) or less, the transaxle is set in the
second gear fixed mode. The gear is fixed
in second while in this mode for easier
acceleration from a stop and driving on
slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
If the selector lever is moved back
or
forward
while in the second gear fixed
mode, the mode will be canceled.
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4–53
When Driving
Switches and Controls
*Some models.
Mirror Defogger*
To turn on the mirror defoggers, switch
the ignition ON and press the rear window
defogger switch (page 4-52).
Horn
To sound the horn, press the mark on
the steering wheel.
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4–68
When Driving
i-ELOOP
i-ELOOP Indicator Light/Control
Status Display
The driver is notified of the i-ELOOP
power generating status and the vehicle
conditions by the i-ELOOP indicator light
and the control status display.
i-ELOOP Indicator Light
Illuminated (vehicle without type B
audio)
The light turns on during power
generation.
Flashing
If the engine is started after the vehicle has
not been driven for a long period of time,
the i-ELOOP indicator light may flash.
Leave the engine idling and wait until the
indicator light turns off.
NOTE
 The beep will sound if the vehicle is
driven while the i-ELOOP indicator
light is flashing. In addition, if you
turn the steering wheel while the light
is flashing, it will feel heavier than
normal, but this does not indicate an
abnormality. Stop the vehicle in a safe
location with the engine running and do
not attempt to turn the steering wheel.
The steering operation will return to
normal after the i-ELOOP indicator
light stops flashing.
 (Vehicles with type B audio)
A notification is displayed in the center
display and the i-ELOOP indicator light
flashes at the same time.
Refer to Warning Message Indicated on
Display on page 7-33.
Control status display (vehicles with
type B audio)
The i-ELOOP power generating status is
displayed in the center display.
Refer to Control Status Display on page
4-70.
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4–71
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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4–73
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 Authorized Mazda
Dealer.
 The warning light notifies 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
4-21.
Refer to Power Steering Warning Buzzer
on page 7-38.
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.
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4–76
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Adaptive Front Lighting
System (AFS)
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight beams
to the left or right in conjunction with the
operation of the steering wheel after the
headlights have been turned on.
AFS OFF Indicator Light
When illuminated
This indicator light illuminates briefly
when the ignition is switched ON, and
then turns off. Pressing the AFS OFF
switch cancels the AFS function and
illuminates the indicator light.
When flashing
The indicator light flashes continuously if
the system is malfunctioning. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
 Even if the AFS is not operating due to
some malfunction, the normal headlight
function is still operable.
 If there is a malfunction with the
headlight auto-leveling function, the
indicator light flashes.
AFS OFF switch
Pressing the AFS OFF switch turns off the
AFS. The AFS OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
Pressing the AFS OFF switch again turns
off the switch illumination and turns on
the AFS operation. The AFS OFF indicator
light turns off.
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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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