2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR trailer

3–1*Some models.
3Before Driving
Use of various features, including keys, doors, mirrors and windows.
Keys ......................................................3-2
Keys
...............................................3-2
Keyless Entry System
....................3-3
Advanced Keyless Entry System
.......3-9
Advanced Keyless Entry
System
* ...........................................3-9
Operational Range
.......................3-10
Doors and Locks
................................3-11
Door Locks
...................................3-11
Liftgate/Trunk Lid
........................3-20
Inside Trunk Release Lever
(4-Door)
* ......................................3-24
Fuel and Emission
.............................3-26
Fuel and Engine Exhaust
Precautions
...................................3-26
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap
................3-29
Steering Wheel ................................... 3-31
Steering Wheel
.............................3-31
Mirrors
...............................................3-32
Mirrors
.........................................3-32
Windows
.............................................3-35
Power Windows
...........................3-35
Moonroof * ...................................3-38 Security System
.................................3-40
Modification and Add-On
Equipment
....................................3-40
Immobilizer System
.....................3-40
Theft-Deterrent System* ...............3-42
Driving Tips
.......................................3-44
Break-In Period
............................3-44
Saving Fuel and Protection of the
Environment
.................................3-44
Hazardous Driving
.......................3-45
Floor Mat
.....................................3-45
Rocking the Vehicle
.....................3-46
Winter Driving
.............................3-46
Driving In Flooded Area
..............3-48
Overloading
..................................3-49
Driving on Uneven Road
.............3-50
Towing
................................................3-51
Trailer Towing
..............................3-51
Recreational Towing
....................3-51
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 12015/05/11 14:00:16

3–50
Before Driving
Driving Tips
Driving on Uneven Road
Your vehicle's suspension and underbody can be damaged if driven on rough\
/uneven roads
or over speed bumps at excessive speeds. Use care and reduce speed when \
traveling on
rough/uneven roads or over speed bumps.
Use care not to damage the vehicle's underbody, bumpers or muffler(s) when driving under
the following conditions:
 Ascending or descending a slope with a sharp transition angle Ascending or descending a driveway or trailer ramp with a sharp transiti\
on angle
This vehicle is equipped with low profile tires allowing class-leading performance and
handling. As a result, the sidewall of the tires are very thin and the tires and w\
heels can be
damaged if driven through potholes or on rough/uneven roads at excessive\
speeds. Use care
and reduce speed when traveling on rough/uneven roads or through pothole\
s.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 502015/05/11 14:00:31

3–51
Before Driving
Towing
Trailer Towing
Your Mazda is not designed for towing.
Never tow a trailer with your Mazda.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a motorhome.
The transaxle is not designed for towing
this vehicle on all 4 wheels.
When doing recreational towing refer
to "Towing Description" (page 7-21)
and "Tiedown Hooks" (page 7-22) and
carefully follow the instructions.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 512015/05/11 14:00:32

4–88
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 If the road width is extremely narrow, vehicles two lanes over may be detected.
The detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set according to the road width of
expressways.
 The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights may turn on in reaction to stationary
objects on the road or the roadside such as guardrails, tunnels, sidewalls, and parked
vehicles.
The walls at the entrance and exits of tunnels, turnouts.
Objects such as guardrails and concrete walls running alongside the vehicle.Places where the width between guardrails or walls on each side of the vehicle narrows.
 A Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may flash or the warning beep may be
activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection. Turn off the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system while pulling a trailer\
or while an
accessory such as a bicycle carrier is installed to the rear of the vehicle. Otherwise, the
radar’s radio waves will be blocked causing the system to not operate normally\
.
 In the following cases, it may be difficult to view the illumination/flashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
 Snow or ice is adhering to the door mirrors. The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt.
 The system switches to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function when the shift lever (manual
transaxle) or the selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to \
the reverse (R) position.
Refer to Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on page 4-92.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 882015/05/11 14:01:03

4–94
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 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.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition3.indb 942015/12/04 19:23:19

4–115
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
NOTE
 In the following cases, the radar sensor (front) may not be able to detect vehicles ahead
or obstructions.
 The rear surface of a vehicle ahead does not reflect radio waves effectively, such as
an unloaded trailer or an automobile with a loading platform covered by a soft top,
vehicles with a hard plastic tailgate, and round-shaped vehicles.
 Vehicles ahead with low vehicle height and thus less area for reflecting radio waves. Visibility is reduced due to a vehicle ahead casting off water, snow, or sand from its
tires and onto your windshield. The trunk/luggage compartment is loaded with heavy objects or the r ear passenger
seats are occupied. Ice, snow, or soiling is on the front surface of the front emblem. During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or sand storms. When driving near facilities or objects emitting str ong radio waves.
 In the following cases, the radar sensor (front) may detect vehicles in the opposite lane or
surrounding obstructions, or it may not be able to detect vehicles ahead or \
obstructions.
 The beginning and end of a curve. Roads with continuous curves. Narrow lane roads due to road construction or lane closures. The vehicle ahead enters the radar sensor's blind spot. The vehicle ahead is running abnormally due to accident or vehicle damag\
e.  Roads with repeated up and down slopes Driving on poor r oads or unpaved roads. The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is extr emely short. A vehicle suddenly comes close such as by cutting into the lane.
 To prevent incorrect operation of the system, use tires of the same specified size,
manufacturer, brand, and tread pattern on all four wheels. In addition, do not use tires
with significantly different wear patterns or tire pressures on the same vehicle. (Including
the temporary spare tire)
 If the battery power is weak, the system may not operate correctly. When driving on roads with little traffic and few vehicles ahead or obstructions for the
radar sensor (front) to detect, Forward Obstruction Warning/Smart City Brake Support
(FOW/SCBS) warning light (amber) temporarily illuminates, however, this does not
indicate a problem.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 1152015/05/11 14:01:09

8–36
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Vehicle Loading
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle:
Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a
trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle, to ke\
ep your loaded
vehicle weight within its design rating capability. Properly loading your vehicle will provide
maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight \
ratings, from the
vehicle's Safety Certification Label and Tire and Load Information Label:
WARNING
Overloaded Vehicle:
Overloading a vehicle is dangerous. The results of overloading can have serious
consequences in terms of passenger safety. Too much weight on a vehicle's suspension
system can cause spring or shock absorber failure, brake failure, handling or steering
problems, irregular tire wear, tire failure or other damage.
Overloading makes a vehicle harder to drive and control. It also increases the distance
required for stopping. In cases of serious overloading, brakes can fail completely,
particularly on steep grades. The load a tire will carry safely is a combination of the size of
the tire, its load range, and corresponding inflation pressure.
Never overload the vehicle and always observe the vehicle's weight ratings from the
vehicle's Safety Certification and Tire and Load Information labels.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 362015/05/11 14:02:52

8–42
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Steps for Determining the Correct Load Limit
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit-
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be \
riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or\
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available\
cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 422015/05/11 14:02:53