2016 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK sensor

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 turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).
CAUTION
 


¾ Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise
the light sensor will not operate correctly.
 

 


¾ 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 fi ngers 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.

N O T E
 


y 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, traf¿ c jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.

 In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the position.



y (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.
 


y 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 Dashboard Illumination on page 4-15 .



y The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
 Refer to Personalization Features on page 9-12 .
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4–49
When Driving
Switches and Controls
Variable-speed intermittent wipers
Set the lever to the intermittent position
and choose the interval timing by rotating
the ring.


INT ringFast
Slow

With auto-wiper control



Switch
Position Wiper operation


Operation while pulling up lever


Stop


Auto control


Low speed


High speed

Auto-wiper control
When the wiper lever is in the

position, the rain sensor senses the amount
of rainfall on the windshield and turns the
wipers on or off automatically (off—
intermittent—low speed—high speed).

The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted by turning the switch on the
wiper lever.
From the center position (normal), rotate
the switch downward for higher sensitivity
(faster response) or rotate it upward for
less sensitivity (slower response).


Higher sensitivity
Less sensitivitySwitch
Center
position

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4–50
When Driving
Switches and Controls
CAUTION
 


¾ Do not shade the rain sensor by
adhering a sticker or a label on the
windshield. Otherwise the rain sensor
will not operate correctly.
 

 


¾ When the wiper lever is in the
position and the ignition is switched ON,
the wipers may move automatically in
the following cases:
 


¾ If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a
cloth.
 


¾ If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
  Keep hands and scrapers clear of the
windshield when the wiper lever is in the

position and the ignition is
switched ON as fi ngers could be pinched
or the wipers and wiper blades 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 most likely
that the engine is left running) this is
particularly important when clearing ice
and snow.

N O T E
 


y Switching the auto-wiper lever from the

to the position while driving
activates the windshield wipers once,
after which they operate according to
the rainfall amount.
 


y The auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is
about -10 °C (14 °F) or lower, or about
85 °C (185 °F) or higher.
 


y If the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be
able to sense the amount of rainfall
correctly and the auto-wiper control
may not operate properly.
 


y If dirt or foreign matter (such as ice or
matter containing salt water) adheres
to the windshield above the rain sensor,
or if the windshield is iced, it could
cause the wipers to move automatically.
However, if the wipers cannot remove
this ice, dirt or foreign matter, the auto-
wiper control will stop operation. In
this case, set the wiper lever to the low
speed position or high speed position
for manual operation, or remove the ice,
dirt or foreign matter by hand to restore
the auto-wiper operation.
 


y If the auto-wiper lever is left in the
position, the wipers could operate
automatically from the effect of strong
light sources, electromagnetic waves, or
infrared light because the rain sensor
uses an optical sensor. It is
recommended that the auto-wiper lever
be switched to the
position other
than when driving the vehicle under
rainy conditions.
 


y The auto-wiper control functions can
be turned off. Refer to Personalization
Features on page 9-12 .

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4–74
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
i-ACTIVSENSE
i-ACTIVSENSE is a collective term covering a series of advanced safety and driver support
systems which make use of a Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and radar sensors. These
systems consist of active safety and pre-crash safety systems.
These systems are designed to assist the driver in safer driving by reducing the load on the
driver and helping to avert collisions or reduce their severity. However, because each system
has its limitations, always drive carefully and do not rely solely on the systems.
Active Safety Technology
Active Safety Technology supports safer driving by helping the driver to recognize potential
hazards and avert accidents.
Driver awareness support systems
Nighttime visibility
Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) .............................................................................. 4-76
High Beam Control System (HBC) .................................................................................... 4-77
Left/right side and rear side detection
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) ......................................................................... 4-80
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System ............................................................................... 4-86
Forward obstruction warning
Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW) ................................................................................ 4-95
Rear obstruction detection when leaving a parking space
R e a r C r o s s T r a f¿ c Alert (RCTA) ........................................................................................ 4-92
Driver support system
Inter-vehicle distance
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) ............................................................................... 4-98
Pre-Crash Safety Technology
Pre-crash safety technology is designed to assist the driver in averting collisions or reduce
their severity in situations where they cannot be avoided.
Collision damage reduction in low vehicle speed range
Forward driving
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) ................................................................................... 4-106
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4–75
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
Camera and Sensors
F o r w a r d s e n s i n g c a m e r a ( F S C )
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) determines the conditions ahead of the vehicle while
traveling at night and detects traf¿ c lanes. The following systems also use the Forward
Sensing Camera (FSC).
 


y High Beam Control system (HBC)



y Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
The Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) is installed at the top of the windshield near the
rearview mirror.
Refer to Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) on page 4-111 .
Radar sensor (front)
The radar sensor (front) functions by detecting the radio waves reÀ ected off a vehicle ahead
sent from the radar sensor. The following systems also use the radar sensor (front).
 


y Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC)



y Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW)
The radar sensor (front) is mounted behind the radiator grille.
Refer to Radar Sensor (Front) on page 4-113 .
Laser sensor (front)
The laser sensor (front) emits a near-infrared laser beam and receives the beam reÀ ected
off the reÀ ective surface of a vehicle in front, and the detected beam is then used for
measurement. The following systems also use the laser sensor (front).
 


y Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
The laser sensor (front) is installed at the top of the windshield near the rearview mirror.
Refer to Laser Sensor (Front) on page 4-116 .
Radar sensors (rear)
The radar sensors (rear) function by detecting the radio waves reÀ ected off a vehicle
approaching from the rear or an obstruction sent from the radar sensors. The following
systems also use the radar sensors (rear).
 


y Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System



y Rear Cross Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA)
The radar sensors (rear) are installed inside the rear bumper, one each on the left and right
sides.
Refer to Radar Sensors (Rear) on page 4-118 .
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4–87
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 


y The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system will not operate under the following
circumstances.
 


y The vehicle speed falls below about 10 km/h (6.3 mph) even though the Blind Spot
Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light is turned off.
 


y The shift lever (manual transaxle)/selector lever (automatic transaxle) is shifted to
reverse (R) and the vehicle is reversing.
 


y In the following cases, the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator light À ashes and
operation of the system is stopped. If the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) OFF indicator
light remains À ashing, 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 is detected.
 


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). Remove any snow, ice or mud on the rear bumper.
 


y Driving on snow-covered roads for long periods.



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


y The battery voltage has decreased. 



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




y A vehicle is in the detection area at the rear in an adjacent driving lane but it does not
approach. The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system determines the condition based on
radar detection data.
 


y A vehicle is traveling alongside your vehicle at nearly the same speed for an extended
period of time.
 


y Vehicles approaching in the opposite direction.



y A vehicle in an adjacent driving lane is attempting to pass your vehicle.



y A vehicle is in an adjacent lane on a road with extremely wide driving lanes. The
detection area of the radar sensors (rear) is set at the road width of expressways.
 


y In the following cases, the activation of the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning lights
and the warning beep may not occur or they may be delayed.
 


y A vehicle makes a lane change from a driving lane two lanes over to an adjacent lane.



y Driving on steep slopes.



y Crossing the summit of a hill or mountain pass.



y The turning radius is small (making a sharp turn, turning at intersections).



y When there is a difference in the height between your driving lane and the adjacent
lane.
 


y Directly after pressing the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) switch and the system
becomes operable.

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4–88
When Driving
i-ACTIVSENSE
 


y 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.
 


y 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.
 

y A Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) warning light may À ash or the warning beep may be
activated several times when making a turn at a city intersection.
 


y 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.
 


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 is adhering to the door mirrors.



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



y The system switches to the Rear Cross Traf¿ c 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 Traf¿ c Alert (RCTA) on page 4-92 .
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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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