2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

4–89
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) Warning Lights/Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Warning Beep
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) or Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) system noti¿ es 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 an 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 turn in the direction
in which the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light is illuminated, the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) warning light À ashes.
Reverse driving (Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) system operation)
The Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) system detects vehicles approaching from the left and
right of your vehicle and À ashes the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights.
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4–90
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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 dif¿ cult to see due to glare from
surrounding brightness when traveling on snow-covered roads or under foggy conditions,
press the dimmer cancellation button to cancel the dimmer and increase the 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
À ashing of a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light.
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4–91
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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 À ashes if the BSM
system has a malfunction. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

NOTE
If the vehicle is driven on a road with less
traf¿ c and few vehicles that the radar
sensors can detect, the system may pause
(The BSM OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster À ashes). 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 Traf¿ c 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
Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) systems become
operable and the BSM OFF Indicator
Light turns off.
N O T E
 


y 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 Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) systems are
operational, the Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) and Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert
(RCTA) systems remain operational the
next time the ignition is switched ON.
 


y The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and
Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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
Tr a f¿ c Alert (RCTA) systems back on,
press the BSM OFF switch.

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4–92
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA)
T h e R e a r C r o s s T r a f¿ c 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 reversing by alerting the
driver to the presence of vehicles approaching the rear of the vehicle.
The Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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
noti¿ es the driver of possible danger using the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning buzzer.

Detection areas
Your vehicle

Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) operation
1. The Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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 À ashes and the warning beep is activated
simultaneously.


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4–93
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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 fl ash 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.

N O T E
 


y In the following cases, the BSM OFF Indicator Light turns on and operation 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.
 


y Some problem with the system including the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning
lights has occurred.
 


y A large deviation in the installation position of a radar sensor (rear) on the vehicle has
occurred.
 


y There is a large accumulation of snow or ice on the rear bumper near a radar sensor
(rear).
 


y Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.



y The temperature near the radar sensors becomes extremely hot due to driving for long
periods on slopes during the summer.
 


y The battery voltage has decreased.
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4–94
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 


y Under the following conditions, the radar sensors (rear) cannot detect target objects or it
may be dif¿ cult to detect them.




y The vehicle speed when reversing is about 10 km/h (6 mph) or faster.



y 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
 


y A vehicle is approaching directly from the rear of your vehicle.

Your vehicle
 


y The vehicle is parked on a slant.

Your vehicle
 


y Directly after pressing the BSM OFF switch and the system becomes operable. 



y In the following cases, it may be dif¿ cult to view the illumination/À ashing of the Blind
Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights equipped on the door mirrors.
 


y Snow or ice adheres to the door mirrors.



y The front door glass is fogged or covered in snow, frost or dirt. 



y Turn off the Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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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4–95
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
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 traffi c 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.

N O T E
 


y The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system operates when all of the following
conditions are met:
 


y The ignition is switched ON.



y The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system is on.



y The vehicle speed is about 15 km/h (10 mph) or faster.



y The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or obstruction ahead is about
15 km/h (10 mph) or faster.
 


y The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) system may not operate under the following
conditions:
 


y If there is the possibility of hitting only a part of a vehicle or obstruction ahead.



y If the vehicle is accelerated rapidly and it comes close to a vehicle ahead.



y The DSC is malfunctioning.



y The vehicle is driven at the same speed as the vehicle ahead.



y The accelerator pedal is depressed.



y The brake pedal is depressed.



y The steering wheel is being operated.



y The selector lever is being operated.



y The turn signal is being used.
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4–96
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 


y 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.
 


y Objects on the road at the entrance to a curve (including guardrails and snow banks).



y A vehicle appears in the opposite lane while cornering or rounding a curve.



y When crossing a narrow bridge.



y When passing under a low gate or through a tunnel or narrow gate.



y When entering an underground parking area.



y Metal objects, bumps, or protruding objects on the road.



y If you suddenly come close to a vehicle ahead.



y When driving in areas where there is high grass or forage.



y Two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes or bicycles.



y Pedestrians or non-metallic objects such as standing trees. 



y When the system operates, the user is noti¿ ed by the À ashing Forward Obstruction
Warning (FOW) indicator light (red) and the active driving display.
 


y The Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) warning light (amber) turns on when the
system has a malfunction.
  (page 4-21 )
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