2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

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Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system notifies the
driver of the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes to the rear of your\
vehicle using the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights and the warning beep while the systems are
operational.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are equipped on the left and right door
mirrors. The warning lights turn on when a vehicle approaching from the rear in a\
n adjacent
lane is detected.
When the ignition is switched ON, the malfunction warning light turns on momentarily and
then turns off after a few seconds.
Forward driving (Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system operation)
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system detects vehicles approaching from the rear and
turns on the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors
according to the conditions. Additionally, while a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
light is illuminated, if the turn signal lever is operated to signal a t\
urn in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illuminated, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and flashes the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights.
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Function for cancelling illumination dimmer
When the headlight switch is in the
or position, the brightness of the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning lights is dimmed.
If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights are difficult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling on snow-covered roads or under fog\
gy conditions,
press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase t\
he brightness of
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights when they turn on.
Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page 4-15.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning beep is activated simultaneously with the
flashing of a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light.
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BSM OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched ON.
The BSM OFF indicator light illuminates
when the BSM system is turned off by
pressing the BSM OFF switch.
The indicator light flashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traffic and few vehicles that the radar
sensors can detect, the system may pause
(The BSM OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes). However, it
does not indicate a malfunction.
BSM OFF Switch
When the BSM OFF switch is pressed, the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are
turned off and the BSM OFF Indicator
Light in the instrument cluster turns on.
If the switch is pressed again, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems become
operable and the BSM OFF Indicator
Light turns off.
NOTE
 When the ignition is switched off, the
condition before the system was turned
off is maintained. For example, if the
ignition is switched OFF while the
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems are
operational, the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA) systems remain operational the
next time the ignition is switched ON.
 The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems
are turned off when the battery is
disconnected such as when the battery
terminals or fuses have been removed
and re-installed. To turn the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems back on,
press the BSM OFF switch.
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Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system is designed to assist the driver in checking the
area to the rear of the vehicle on both sides while the vehicle is rever\
sing by alerting the
driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right sides of the vehicle while the vehicle is being reversed out of a \
parking space, and
notifies the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning buzzer.
Detection areas
Your vehicle
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system operates when the shift lever (manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to the reverse (R) position.
2. If there is the possibility of a collision with an approaching vehicle, the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light flashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.
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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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 Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be difficult to detect them.
 The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) or faster. The radar sensor (rear) detection area is obstructed by a nearby wall or parked
vehicle. (Reverse the vehicle to a position where the radar sensor detection area is no
longer obstructed.)
Your vehicle
 A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.
Your vehicle
 The vehicle is parked on a slant.
Your vehicle
 Directly after pressing the BSM OFF switch and the system becomes operable.
 In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumina tion/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
 Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors. The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
 Turn off the Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system while pulling a trailer or while an
accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise,
the radio waves emitted by the radar will be blocked causing the system \
to not operate
normally.
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Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) is a system which alerts the driver of a possible
collision using an indicator and warning sound in the instrument cluster\
while the vehicle
is being driven at about 15 km/h or faster (10 mph or faster) and the \
system's radar sensor
determines that your vehicle may hit a vehicle or obstruction ahead.
WARNING
Do not rely completely on the Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system and always
drive carefully:Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) is only designed to reduce damage in the event of
a collision. The ability to detect an obstruction is limited depending on the obstruction,
weather conditions, or traffic conditions. Therefore, if the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal is mistakenly operated it could result in an accident. Always verify the safety of the
surrounding area and depress the brake pedal or accelerator pedal while keeping a safe
distance from vehicles ahead or on-coming vehicles.
NOTE
 The Forwar d Obstruction Warning (FOW) system operates when all of the following
conditions are met:
 The ignition is switched ON. The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system is on. The vehicle speed is about 15 km/h (10 mph) or faster . The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or obstruction ahead \
is about
15 km/h (10 mph) or faster.
 The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system may not operate under the following
conditions:
 If there is the possibility of hitting only a part of a vehicle or obstruction \
ahead. If the vehicle is accelerated rapidly and it comes close to a vehicle ah\
ead. The DSC is malfunctioning. The vehicle is driven at the same speed as the vehicle ahead. The accelerator pedal is depr essed. The brake pedal is depressed. The steering wheel is being operated. The selector lever is being operated. The turn signal is being used.
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 Although the objects which activate the system are 4-wheeled vehicles, the radar sensor
could detect the following objects, determine them to be an obstruction,\
and operate the
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system.
 Objects on the road at the entrance to a curve (including guardrails and snow banks). A vehicle appears in the opposite lane while cornering or rounding a curve. When crossing a narrow bridge. When passing under a low gate or thr ough a tunnel or narrow gate. When entering an underground parking area. Metal objects, bumps, or pr otruding objects on the road. If you suddenly come close to a vehicle ahead. When driving in areas where there is high grass or forage. Two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes or bicycles. Pedestrians or non-metallic objects such as standing tr ees.
 When the system operates, the user is notified by the flashing Fo rward Obstruction
Warning (FOW) indicator light (red) and the active driving display. The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) warning light (amber) turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
(page 4-21)
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