2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR brake

4–22
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
SignalWarning Lights Page
*Low Washer Fluid Level Warning Light 7-24
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light*17-24
(Red)
KEY Warning Light*17-24
(Amber)
* Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/SCBS)
Warning Light*17-24
(Amber)
* Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Warning Light*1*37-24
* Headlight Auto-Leveling Malfunction Indicator Light*17-24
(Amber)
* High Beam Control System (HBC) Warning Light*17-24
(Amber)
* Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) Warning Light*17-24
*1 The light turns on when the ignition is switched on for an operation che\
ck, and turns of f a few seconds later or when the engine is started. If the light does not turn on or remains tur\
ned on, have the vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
*2 The light turns on continuously when the parking brake is applied.*3 The light turns on when the system on stand-by. The light flashes when the system has a malfunction.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 222015/05/11 14:00:41

4–23
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
Indicator Lights
These lights turn on or flash to notify the user of the system operation status or a system
malfunction.
SignalIndicator Lights Page
* BSM OFF Indicator Light 4-91
(Green)
* Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) Indicator Light4-84
(Green)
KEY Indicator Light 3-9
(Green)
* High Beam Control System (HBC) Indicator Light4-79
Wrench Indicator Light*14-25
TCS/DSC Indicator Light*14-63,
4-64
DSC OFF Indicator Light*14-65
* AFS OFF Indicator Light*14-76
(Red)
* Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/SCBS)
Indicator Light*14-97,
4-110
* Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support (FOW/SCBS) OFF
Indicator Light*14-110
* i-ELOOP Indicator Light 4-68
(Blue)Low Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Light 4-25
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 232015/05/11 14:00:42

4–26
When Driving
Transaxle
Manual Transaxle
Operation
Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern
Neutral position
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting; then release it slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device to
prevent shifting to R (reverse) by mistake.
Push the shift lever downward and shift
to R.
WARNING
Do not use sudden 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.
Always leave the shift lever in 1 or R
position and set the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle unattended: Otherwise the vehicle could move and
cause an accident.
CAUTION
 Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also, do not
use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an
upgrade. Riding the clutch will cause
needless clutch wear and damage.
 Do not apply any excessive lateral force
to the shift lever when changing from
5th to 4th gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of 2nd gear, which
could result in damage to the transaxle.
 Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is still
moving may damage the transaxle.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 262015/05/11 14:00:43

4–28
When Driving
Transaxle
Recommendations for Shifting (for
Vehicles without Gear Shift
Indication)
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, Mazda
recommends these shift points:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
GearVehicle speed
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph)
3 to 4 60 km/h (37 mph)
4 to 5 75 km/h (46 mph)
5 to 6 79 km/h (49 mph)
For cruising, Mazda recommends these
shift points:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph)
3 to 4 49 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
5 to 6 70 km/h (43 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic
or on a steep upgrade, downshift before
the engine starts to overwork. This reduces
the chance of stalling and gives better
acceleration when you need more speed.
On a steep downgrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 282015/05/11 14:00:44

4–29
When Driving
Transaxle
Automatic Transaxle Controls
Lock-release button
Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position.
Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release button to shift.
Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal and hold in the lock-rel\
ease
button to shift (The ignition must be switched ON).
Various Lockouts: \
NOTE
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transax\
le that
gives the driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leaving it\
to the transaxle to
shift gears. Even if you intend to use the automatic transaxle functions\
as a traditional
automatic, you should also be aware that you can inadvertently shift into manual shift mode
and an inappropriate gear may be retained as the vehicle speed increases. If you notice the
engine speed going higher or hear the engine racing, confirm you have not accidentally
slipped into manual shift mode (page 4-32).
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 292015/05/11 14:00:44

4–30
When Driving
Transaxle
Shift Position Indication
The selector position is indicated when the
ignition is switched ON.
Gear position indication
In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift
position indication illuminates and the
numeral for the selected gear is displayed.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
Refer to Warning Lights on page 4-21.
Transaxle Ranges
 The shift position indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates. Refer to
Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-20.
 The selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
P (Park)
P locks the transaxle and prevents the front
wheels from rotating.
WARNING
Always set the selector lever to P and set
the parking brake: Only setting the selector lever to the
P position without using the parking
brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous.
If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move
and cause an accident.
CAUTION
 Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is
moving can damage your transaxle. Shifting into a driving gear or reverse
when the engine is running faster than
idle can damage the transaxle.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances as explained in
Rocking the Vehicle (page 3-46).
N (Neutral)
In N, the wheels and transaxle are not
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or brakes are on.
WARNING
If the engine is running faster than idle,
do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear: It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine
is running faster than idle. If this is
done, the vehicle could move suddenly,
causing an accident or serious injury.
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle: Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot
be applied when decelerating which
could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 302015/05/11 14:00:45

4–31
When Driving
Transaxle
CAUTION
Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle
damage.
NOTE
Apply the parking brake or depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector
lever from N to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transaxle will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position. Gears
can be shifted up or down by operating the
selector lever. Refer to Manual Shift Mode
on page 4-32.
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)
automatically controls the transaxle shift
points to best suit the road conditions
and driver input. This improves driving
feel. The transaxle may switch to AAS
mode when driving up and down slopes,
cornering, driving at high elevations,
or depressing the accelerator pedal
quickly while the selector lever is in the
D position. Depending on the road and
driving conditions/vehicle operations, gear
shifting could be delayed or not occur,
however, this does not indicate a problem
because the AAS mode will maintain the
optimum gear position.
Shift-Lock System
The shift-lock system prevents shifting out
of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.
To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the lock-release button.
4. Move the selector lever.
NOTE
 When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P.
 The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
Shift-Lock Override
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure, continue
to hold down the brake pedal.
1. Remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver.
2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.

Cover
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 312015/05/11 14:00:45

4–37
When Driving
Transaxle
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration and cruising, Mazda recommends these shift point\
s:
(U.S.A. and Canada)
GearVehicle speed*1
M1 to M224 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3 40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 81 km/h (50 mph)
*1 Always observe local speed limit regulations.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the
engine starts to overwork. This gives better acceleration when you need more speed.
On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolong\
s brake life.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 372015/05/11 14:00:47