Page 152 of 598
4–24
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
*Some models.
SignalIndicator Lights Page
* Shift Position Indication 4-30
* SPORT Mode Indicator Light4-72
Headlight High-Beam Indicator Light4-44,
4-44
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights4-46, 4-54
Security Indicator Light*13-41
(Green)
* Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) Indicator Light 4-101
(Amber)
* Cruise Main Indicator Light4-120
(Green)
* Cruise Set Indicator Light4-120
Lights-On Indicator Light4-40
*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.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 242015/05/11 14:00:43
Page 155 of 598

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.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 272015/05/11 14:00:44
Page 161 of 598

4–33
When Driving
Transaxle
*Some models.
Type B
Gear position indication
Manual shift mode indication
Type C
Manual shift mode indicationGear position indication
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down
when driving at higher speeds, the gear
position indication will flash twice to
signal that the gears cannot be shifted
down (to protect the transaxle).
If the automatic transaxle fluid (A
TF)
temperature becomes too high, there
is the possibility that the transaxle
will switch to automatic shift mode,
canceling manual shift mode and
turning off the gear position indication
illumination. This is a normal function
to protect the automatic transaxle. After
the ATF temperature has decreased, the
gear position indication illumination
turns back on and driving in manual
shift mode is restored.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the selector lever or the steering
shift switches
*.
Manually Shifting up
(M1 → M2 → M3 → M4 → M5 → M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, move the
selector lever back
once.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 332015/05/11 14:00:46
Page 163 of 598

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.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 352015/05/11 14:00:47
Page 164 of 598

4–36
When Driving
Transaxle
Shift gear (shifting) speed limit
For each gear position while in the manual mode, the speed limit is set \
as follows: When the
selector lever is operated within the range of the speed limit, the gear\
is shifted.
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the vehicle speed is lower than the spe\
ed limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the vehicle speed exceeds the speed l\
imit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit and the gear does not shift\
down, the gear
position indication flashes 2 times to notify the driver that the gear cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is depressed fully while driving, the gear sh\
ifts down.
NOTE
The gear also shifts down using kickdown while in the second gear fixed mode.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically depending on the vehicle speed during\
deceleration.
NOTE
If the vehicle comes to a stop while in the second gear fixed mode, the gear remains in
second.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 362015/05/11 14:00:47
Page 166 of 598

4–38
When Driving
Transaxle
*Some models.
Direct Mode*
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indication illuminate and the gear position
in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
The UP switch () is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer.
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Type A
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
Type B
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
Type C
Gear position indication
Direct mode indication
NOTE
Shifting up and down while in direct mode
may not be possible depending on the
vehicle speed. In addition, because direct
mode is canceled (released) depending
on the rate of acceleration or if the
accelerator is fully depressed, use of the
manual shift mode is recommended if you
need to drive the vehicle in a particular
gear for long periods.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 382015/05/11 14:00:48
Page 170 of 598

4–42
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON, the light
sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically tu\
rns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly.
The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the position and the
ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield,
be sure the wipers are turned off completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
NOTE
The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off
immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffic jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.
In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position. (Without auto headlight off function)
When the headlight switch is in the position and the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and \
dashboard
illumination will turn off.
The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster.
Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard.
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:
Refer to Dashboar d Illumination on page 4-15. The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Refer to Personalization Featur es on page 9-12.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 422015/05/11 14:00:49
Page 197 of 598

4–69
When Driving
Fuel Economy Monitor
*Some models.
Fuel Economy Monitor*
For vehicles with type B audio, the Control Status and Fuel Consumption are switched and
displayed by operating each icon in the display.
In addition, after completing a trip, the total energy efficiency to date is displayed in the
ending display when the ending display is turned on.
1. Select the icon on the home screen to display the applications screen.
2. Select the “Fuel Economy Monitor”.
3. Operate the commander switch or touch the screen and display the menu.
NOTE
When the menu is displayed by touching the screen, the display is hidden automatically after
6 seconds.
4. Select the icon in the menu and perform the operation. Each icon operates as follows:
Indication on displayControl status
Hides the menu display.
Displays the application screen.
Switches the Fuel Economy Monitor in the order of Control Status and Fuel Consumption.
Resets the fuel economy data.
Displays the following setting screen.Ending display on/off switchingOn/off switching for function which synchronizes
reset fuel economy data to trip meter (Trip A)
Fuel Consumption Display
Information regarding the fuel economy is displayed.
Indication on display Control status
Displays the fuel economy for the past 60 minutes.Displays the fuel economy every minute for the
past 1 to 10 minutes.
Displays the fuel economy every 10 minutes for the past 10 to 60 minutes.
Displays the average fuel economy over the past 5 resets and after the current reset.
Calculates the average fuel economy every minute after vehicle travel begins, and displays it.
Mazda3_8FA4-EA-15G_Edition1.indb 692015/05/11 14:00:58