2017 MAZDA MODEL 3 4-DOOR Owners Manual

3–21
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
Rear Door Child Safety Locks
These locks are intended to help prevent
children from accidentally opening the
rear doors. Use them on both rear doors
whenever a child rides in the rear seat of
the vehicle.
If you slide the child safety lock to the
lock position before closing that door, the
door cannot be opened from the inside.
The door can only be opened by pulling
the outside handle.
LockUnlock
Liftgate/Trunk Lid
WARNING
Never allow a person to ride in the
luggage compartment/trunk:
Allowing a person to ride in the
luggage compartment/trunk is
dangerous. The person in the luggage
compartment/trunk could be seriously
injured or killed during sudden braking
or a collision.
Do not drive with the liftgate/trunk lid
open: Exhaust gas in the cabin of a vehicle is
dangerous. An open liftgate/trunk lid
in a moving vehicle will cause exhaust
gas to be drawn into the cabin. This
gas contains CO (carbon monoxide),
which is colorless, odorless, and highly
poisonous, and it can cause loss of
consciousness and death. Moreover,
an open liftgate/trunk lid could cause
occupants to fall out in an accident.
Do not stack or leave loaded luggage
unsecured in the luggage compartment: Otherwise, the luggage may move
or collapse, resulting in injury or an
accident. In addition, do not load
luggage higher than the seatbacks. It
may affect the side or rear field of view.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 212016/08/10 17:35:23

3–22
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
CAUTION
 Before opening the liftgate/trunk lid,
remove any snow and ice accumulation
on it. Otherwise, the liftgate/trunk lid
could close under the weight of the snow
and ice resulting in injury.
 Be careful when opening/closing the
liftgate/trunk lid during strong winds.
If a strong gust blows against the
liftgate/trunk lid, it could close suddenly
resulting in injury.
 Fully open the liftgate/trunk lid and
make sure that it stays open. If the
liftgate/trunk lid is only opened partially,
it could slam shut by vibration or wind
gusts resulting in injury.
 When loading or unloading luggage in
the luggage compartment/trunk, turn
off the engine. Otherwise, you could get
burned by the heat of the exhaust gas.
 Be careful not to apply excessive force
to the damper stay on the liftgate such
as by putting your hand on the stay.
Otherwise, the damper stay may bend
and affect the liftgate operation.
Damper stay
 Do not modify or replace the liftgate
damper stay. Consult an Authorized
Mazda Dealer if a liftgate damper stay is
deformed or damaged for reasons such
as a collision or if there is some other
problem.
Opening and Closing the Liftgate/
Trunk Lid
Opening the liftgate (5–door)
Using the electric liftgate opener
Unlock the doors and liftgate, then press
the electric liftgate opener on the liftgate
and raise it when the latch releases.
Electric liftgate
opener
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 222016/08/10 17:35:24

3–23
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
NOTE
(With the advanced keyless function)
 A locked liftgate can also be opened
while the key is being carried. When opening the liftgate with the
doors and the liftgate locked, it may
require a few seconds for the liftgate
latch to release after the electric liftgate
opener is pressed.
 The liftgate can be closed when the
doors are locked with the key left in the
vehicle. However, to prevent locking the
key in the vehicle, the liftgate can be
opened by pressing the electric liftgate
opener. If the liftgate cannot be opened
despite doing this procedure, first push
the liftgate/trunk lid completely closed,
then press the electric liftgate opener to
fully open the liftgate.
 When the liftgate latch is released by
pressing the electric liftgate opener,
the liftgate raises slightly. If the liftgate
is not operated for a certain period of
time, the liftgate cannot be raised.
To open
Press the electric liftgate/trunk lid
opener again.
To close
To close the liftgate/trunk lid from its
slightly raised position, open it first by
pressing the electric liftgate/trunk lid
opener, then close it after waiting at
least 1 second.
 If the liftgate is not fully closed, the
driver is notified by a warning indicated
in the instrument cluster.
 If the vehicle battery is dead or ther e is
a malfunction in the electrical system
and the liftgate cannot be unlocked, the
liftgate can be opened by performing
the emergency procedure.
Refer to When Liftgate/Trunk Lid
Cannot be Opened on page 7-44.
Opening the trunk lid (4–door)
Using the remote release button
Push the release button.
Using the electric trunk lid opener
(With the advanced keyless function)
A trunk lid can also be opened while the
key is being carried.
Press the electric trunk lid opener on the
trunk lid, then raise the trunk lid when the
latch releases.
Electric trunk lid
opener
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 232016/08/10 17:35:25

3–24
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
NOTE
 When opening the trunk lid with the
doors locked, it may require a few
seconds for the trunk lid latch to release
after the electric trunk lid opener is
pressed.
 The trunk lid can be closed when the
doors are locked with the key left in the
vehicle. However, to prevent locking the
key in the vehicle, the trunk lid can be
opened by pressing the electric trunk lid
opener. If the trunk lid cannot be opened
despite doing this procedure, press the
electric trunk lid opener to fully open
the trunk lid after pushing the trunk lid
completely closed.
 If the vehicle battery is dead or there
is a malfunction in the electrical
system and the trunk lid cannot be
unlocked, the trunk lid can be opened by
performing the emergency procedure.
Refer to When Liftgate/Trunk Lid
Cannot be Opened on page 7-44.
Closing the liftgate/trunk lid
Lower the liftgate/trunk lid slowly using
the liftgate/trunk lid grip recess, then push
the liftgate/trunk lid closed using both
hands.
Do not slam it. Pull up on the liftgate/trunk
lid to make sure it is secure.
(5–door)
Liftgate grip
recess
(4–door)
Trunk lid grip recess
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 242016/08/10 17:35:25

3–25
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
Luggage Compartment
Luggage compartment cover (5-door)
WARNING
Do not place anything on top of the
cover:Placing luggage or other cargo on top
of the luggage compartment cover is
dangerous. During sudden braking or
a collision, the cargo could become
a projectile that could hit and injure
someone. The vehicle has a light
weight luggage compartment cover to
keep the contents of your luggage area
out of sight; it will not retain heavy
objects that are not tied down in an
accident such as a rollover. Tie down
all heavy objects, whether luggage or
cargo, using the tie down hooks.
Make sure luggage and cargo are
secured before driving: Not securing cargo while driving is
dangerous as it could move or be
crushed during sudden braking or a
collision and cause injury.
CAUTION
Make sure the luggage compartment
cover is firmly secured. If it is not
firmly secured, it could unexpectedly
disengage resulting in injury. The luggage compartment can be accessed
by opening the liftgate when the straps are
attached to the sides of the liftgate.
Strap
Removing the cover
This cover can be removed for more room.
1. Remove the straps from the hooks.
2. Lift the end of the luggage
compartment cover a little, pull it
outward, and remove it from the pins.
Pin
Pin
3. Lift the front end of the luggage
compartment cover and remove it.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 252016/08/10 17:35:26

3–26
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
*Some models.
Loading golf bags (only 4-door vehicle)
Up to two golf bags can be carried in the
trunk.
1. Place the bottom of the first golf bag in
the trunk with its bottom pointed to the
left and fit it into the front of the trunk.

2. Place the second golf bag in the trunk
with its bottom pointed to the left and
fit it into the back of the trunk.

NOTE
Some golf bags cannot fit depending on
their size.
Inside Trunk Release
Lever (4-Door)
*
Your vehicle is equipped with an inside
trunk release lever that provides a means
of escape for children and adults in the
event they become locked inside the trunk.
No matter how careful adults might be
with keys and locking their cars, parents
should be aware that children may be
tempted to play around vehicles and use
the trunk as a hiding place.
Adults are advised to familiarize
themselves with the operation and location
of the inside trunk release lever so that
all children can be told about it in an
appropriate way, keeping in mind that
most vehicles do not have such levers.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 262016/08/10 17:35:26

3–27
Before Driving
Doors and Locks
WARNING
Close the trunk lid, be sure the seat
backs are latched and do not allow
children to play inside the vehicle:Leaving the trunk lid open or leaving
children in the vehicle with the keys is
dangerous. Children could open the
trunk lid and climb inside resulting
in possible injury or death from heat
exposure.
Always keep the car from being a
tempting place to play by latching the
rear seats, doors and the trunk, and
keeping the keys where children can not
play with them: Leaving children or animals
unattended in a parked vehicle is
dangerous. Babies left sleeping and
children who lock themselves in cars or
trunks can die very quickly from heat
prostration. Do not leave your children
or pets alone in a car at any time. Do
not leave the car, the rear folding seats
or the trunk unlocked.
Opening the Trunk Lid from the
Inside
Slide the inside trunk release lever in the
direction of the arrow. The lever is made
of material that will glow for hours in the
darkness of the trunk following a brief
exposure to ambient light.
The inside trunk release lever is located on
the inside of the trunk lid.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 272016/08/10 17:35:27

3–28
Before Driving
Fuel and Emission
Fuel and Engine Exhaust Precautions
Fuel Requirements
Vehicles with catalytic converters or oxygen sensors must use ONLY UNLEADED FUEL,
which will reduce exhaust emissions and keep spark plug fouling to a min\
imum.
This vehicle will perform best with fuel listed in the table.
FuelOctane Rating* (Anti-knock index)
Regular unleaded fuel 87 [(R
M)/2 method] or above (91 RON or above)
* U.S. federal law requires that octane ratings be posted on gaso line station pumps.
Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) will negatively affect the emission control
system performance and could also cause engine knocking and serious engi\
ne damage.
CAUTION
 USE ONLY UNLEADED FUEL.
Leaded fuel is harmful to the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors and will lead to
deterioration of the emission control system and or failures. This vehicle can only use oxygenated fuels containing no more than 10 % ethanol by
volume. Damage to the vehicle may occur when ethanol exceeds this recommendation, or
if the gasoline contains any methanol. Stop using gasohol of any kind if your vehicle engine
is performing poorly.
 Never add fuel system additives, otherwise the emission control system could be damaged.
Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer for details.
Gasoline blended with oxygenates such as alcohol or ether compounds are generally
referred to as oxygenated fuels. The common gasoline blend that can be used with your
vehicle is ethanol blended at no more than 10 %. Gasoline containing alcohol, such as
ethanol or methanol, may be marketed under the name "Gasohol".
Vehicle damage and drivability problems resulting from the use of the following may not be
covered by the warranty.
 Gasohol containing more than 10 % ethanol. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
Mazda3_8FL6-EA-16F_Edition2.indb 282016/08/10 17:35:27